Oklahoma (16-9, 6-6) squares off against No. 1 Baylor (22-1, 12-0) in a big-time Big 12 clash.
The Sooners fell short in the final minute in the first matchup in Waco, Texas, 61-57. Oklahoma can give the Bears all they can handle and then some. Coming off a tough road loss to No. 3 Kansas, the Sooners are still in “high spirits” through their laborious back half of their schedule.
Here is what needs to happen for Oklahoma to hand Baylor their first Big 12 loss of the season.
GET HOT, STAY HOT
With Kristian Doolittle coming off his third Big 12 Player of the Week honor, he alongside Brady Manek and Austin Reaves will have to be the offensive catalysts to get the Sooners rolling on offense. In the first matchup, Doolittle, Manek, and Reaves accounted for 37 of the Sooners’ 57 points with Manek leading the way with 21 points. Look for the trio to be instrumental in finding the flow of the offense.
ROLE PLAY
With the emergence of Alondes Williams over the past month of play, he will be among a handful of players who will have to fulfill and even exceed their normal expectations.
Williams, Jamal Bienimey, De’Vion Harmon and Kur Kuath will all need to leave their fingerprints on the game if the Sooners want to upset the No 1 team in the nation.
INTENSITY
From the opening tip, Oklahoma needs to play with incredible intensity and sustain the energy throughout the full 40 minutes. Lon Kruger, as well as his players, have been vocal in saying that they need to close games in a better fashion.
Coinciding with role play, look for Bieniemy, Williams, and especially De’Vion Harmon to bring another level of intensity tonight.
The Sooners and Bears are set for an 8p.m. CT tip on ESPN2. Oklahoma students can attend the game free of charge with a valid student ID. For full broadcast details, click here.
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