The Oklahoma Sooners (13-4, 4-1) will make their way to Lawrence, KS on Saturday to face the #2/3 ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Oklahoma’s only loss in Big 12 play was at Kansas State, but their best win in conference play was at home against Oklahoma State. The Sooner also have losses to Stephen F. Austin (at home), Arkansas and Gonzaga.
Kansas is the only team in the Big 12 to have a winning record against Oklahoma. The Jayhawks lead the series 138-64 all time, including nine straight wins that date back to 2006. KU is 69-16 against OU in Lawrence and hold a 42-7 edge inside Allen Fieldhouse, including 11 straight wins dating back to 1994 season. Since the Big 12 was formed, Kansas is 17-4 against OU, with 15 of the 17 wins coming in regular season play.
The Sooners average 69.0 ppg and only allow 62.4 ppg. In Big 12 play the Sooners lead the conference in scoring (71.6 ppg), field goal percentage (.459%), free throw percentage (.780%) and is second in three point percentage (.357%). OU is led bu forward Romero Osby’s 14.5 ppg. He also leads the Sooners in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and blocked shots. Over his last 10 games, Osby has shot the ball 50% or better from the field. He has averaged 16.9 ppg over those 10 games, and his 19.2 ppg in Big 12 play ranks second in the conference. Guard Steven Pledger leads the team in made three point attempts (2.1 per game) to go with his 11.0 ppg average. Forward Amath M’Baye chips in 10.2 points per game to go along with his 5.6 rpg, which rankes second on the team. Freshman Buddy Heild chips in 9.4 points per game to go along with his team leading 21 steals on the season.
Kansas is looking to extend their winning streak to 17 in a row with a win against Oklahoma on Saturday. A win will also likely put KU at the top of the at least one of the national polls come Monday. Kansas averages 75.1 ppg and only allows 59.1 ppg. The Jayhawks lead the Big 12 in field goal percentage (48.2%), three point field goal percentage (36.2%), field goal percentage defense (34.8%) and blocked shots (7.7 bpg).
Freshman Ben McLemore leads the Jayhawks in scoring with 16.1 ppg, which leads all Big 12 freshman and is second in the Big 12 overall. McLemore is KU’s top three point threat and ranks second on the team in steals. Center Jeff Withey averages 13.0 ppg to go along with his Big 12 leading 4.3 bpg. Travis Releford is shooting 70.4% from the field over his last nine games and is scoring 12.9 ppg. He leads Kansas in field goal percentage at 62.3%. Guard Elijah Johnson leads the Jayhawks in assists, and is KU’s second leading shooter behind the arc to go along with his 9.6 ppg. Forward Kevin Young chips in 7.4 ppg and is second on the team in rebounds at 6.8 rpg.
Up next – Big Monday at West Virginia on Monday night.
The 1988 Sooners were really excited to go to the Final Four. That didn’t work out as planned.
