Oklahoma basketball: Bedlam represents a crossroads in OU’s season

Oklahoma basketball completes a two-game rivalry swing on Wednesday as the Sooners head to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a Bedlam battle with in-state rival Oklahoma State.

The Sooners (13-5, 2-4) are looking to rebound from a three-point loss at Texas on Saturday and snap a two-game losing skid that has dropped the Sooners’ record in the Big 12 to 2-4 and 13-5 overall. Oklahoma State (8-10, 2-4) also is coming off a two-game losing string, falling at home to Baylor and at Iowa State last week.

This will be the second of the home-and-home series with Oklahoma State this season and the second time in as many seasons that both Bedlam games have been contested in the month of January.

Oklahoma won the first game, 74-64, in Norman earlier this month and owns a 138-99 record in the all-time series. Wednesday’s matchup marks the 238th meeting in men’s basketball between the two schools, which are separated by just 80 miles. OU is 11-6 under Lon Kruger against its in-state rival.

The Cowboys own the advantage when the game is played at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater. OSU is 63-45 at home against the Sooners and has come out on top in the last two. History suggests that Wednesday’s game will be closely contested. The last eight games played in Stillwater in the Bedlam hardwood series have been decided by eight points or less.

Both teams have limitations on the offensive end, so this Bedlam rematch is likely to hinge on limiting turnovers, making shots and getting stops and preventing second chances at the defensive end. The Sooners also want to avoid offensive runs by the Cowboys that get the Gallagher-Iba crowd charged up and fueling the home team.

Both teams feature a pair of players who rank in the top 20 of Big 12 scorers. Oklahoma’s Christian James stands fourth in the conference with a 17.2 average, while Cameron McGriff leads Oklahoma State, scoring 13.5 a game. Brady Manek of the Sooners and the Cowboys’ Lindy Waters both average 11 points per game.

If the Sooners have one true advantage in this contest, it is taking care of the offensive and defensive glass. If they win the battle of the boards, they will be in good position to win the game. OU ranks fourth in the country in defensive rebounds, averaging 30.78 per game. Three Sooners rank in the top 10 in the Big 12 in rebounding.

The Sooners are 11-1 when they outrebound their opponent this season.

Another factor that could impact the outcome of the game is the three-point shot, which Oklahoma State does with greater proficiency than any other Big 12 team.

The Cowboys are shooting 40 percent from long range at home and 37 percent overall for the season, best in the conference. Lindy Waters (45.7 percent) and Thomas Dziagwa (42.7 percent) are the chief triggermen on the three ball for the Cowboys. Dziagwa made four of them in the game earlier this month in Norman.

Something else to keep an eye on in this game is Oklahoma’s scoring production in the first half. In back-to-back losses to Kansas State and Texas, the Sooners scored just 24 points in the opening 20 minutes. That is over 10 points less that the 34.5 points that OU is averaging for the season. Oklahoma is 12-1 when they score 30 or more points heading into halftime.

Although this is a rivalry game and on the road, Oklahoma is a three-point favorite, according to Las Vegas oddsmaker SportsbookReview.com.  I like the Sooners chances to rebound (no pun intended) in this game as well in another close Bedlam battle.

First team to 70 wins. Oklahoma 75, Oklahoma State 71