The highly anticipated rivalry game between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma is set to take place this Saturday at noon, marking a crucial showdown in Oklahoma college basketball. Oklahoma State enters the match as one of just eight unbeaten teams in the nation, boasting a record of 9-0, while Oklahoma comes in with a 6-3 record, having recently suffered a defeat against Arizona State.
Despite their perfect record, ESPN analytics give Oklahoma State only a 35.3% chance of victory, as they have struggled against Oklahoma in recent seasons, with their last win coming during the 2022-23 season. However, the Pokes this year are a different squad and are eager to capture the coveted Bedlam win.
Three key strategies will be vital for Oklahoma State to succeed in this matchup:
First, the Cowboys must dominate the boards. With an impressive average of 42 rebounds per game, largely thanks to Parsa Fallah’s contributions, Oklahoma State can limit Oklahoma’s second-chance opportunities. The Sooners are also strong on the glass, averaging 12.8 offensive rebounds per game, so OSU needs to tighten their defensive efforts.
Second, an explosive offense will be crucial for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have been scoring at a remarkable rate, averaging 91.3 points per game with nearly 50% shooting from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. With five players scoring in double figures, they will need to maintain this high scoring output against an Oklahoma defense that allows an average of 75 points per game.
Finally, crucial to their chances is winning the turnover battle. The Cowboys average 14 turnovers a game, which has kept their opponents competitive. In contrast, Oklahoma averages only 9.9 turnovers per game, which has helped them maintain control. To secure a win, Oklahoma State’s defense, which averages 7.8 steals, needs to capitalize on defensive opportunities while minimizing their own turnovers.
With these strategies in place, Oklahoma State aims to emerge victorious and continue their impressive unbeaten run in one of college basketball’s biggest rivalries.