Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas Jayhawks Pick – Odds and Against the Spread Predictions

Big 12 Conference basketball is back, and fans will be treated to a great game in the conference opener. The Oklahoma Sooners will travel to historic Allen Fieldhouse for a battle against the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas and Oklahoma are considered to be the favorites to win the conference, and this game should be close.

Both the Jayhawks and Sooners come into this game with an 11-1 record, but Kansas has been more impressive this season. Kansas is the number-two ranked team in the country, and their only loss came on the road at Arizona State. Oklahoma is also ranked in the top-25 and their only blemish on the young season came against Wisconsin.

Azubuike Back For Jayhawks

Kansas enters conference play with their full complement of players after getting center Udoka Azubuike back. Azubuike returned from an ankle injury in their last game and scored 23 points while grabbing nine rebounds. The Jayhawks are averaging more than 81 points per game this season, and having their big man back on the floor will cause matchup nightmares for their opponents.

With Azubuike out of the lineup, Dedric Lawson and Lagerald Vick have carried the Jayhawks on offense. Lawson leads the team with 19.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season and gives the Jayhawks another post presence. Vick is one of the best shooters in the country and has poured in 15.8 points per game. The senior guard is shooting 47 percent from the three-point line. Kansas has plenty of offense to make another run at the Big 12 Championship.

Oklahoma Looking For More Scoring

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking for more consistent scoring options this season. Oklahoma is averaging more than 76 points per game, but they have just three players averaging more than eight points per game. Head coach Lon Kruger gives his players plenty of freedom on offense, but this version of Oklahoma doesn’t have enough offensive talent. If the Sooners are going to upset the Jayhawks, they are going to have to light up the scoreboard.

Senior guard Christian James has done his best to replace the massive void that was left when Trae Young left for the NBA. James is having the best season of his career, averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting nearly 47 percent from the floor. Oklahoma has a history of upsetting the Jayhawks in Big 12 play, and it will be James leading them if it is going to happen again. The Sooners won’t be scared of Kansas, but they might not have enough talent.