Missouri (16-14) at Oklahoma (20-10)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Lloyd Noble Center (12,000) -- Norman, Oklahoma. Television: None. Home Record: Missouri 13-4, Oklahoma 13-3. Away Record: Missouri 2-8, Oklahoma 5-6. Neutral Record: Missouri 1-2, Oklahoma 2-1. Conference Record: Missouri 6-9, Oklahoma 8-7. Series Record: Oklahoma leads, 110-93.
GAME NOTES: The Oklahoma Sooners look to bring a three-game winning streak into the Big 12 Conference Tournament as they close out regular season play at the Lloyd Noble Center by hosting the Missouri Tigers. Missouri needed two extra periods to snap a two-game slide on Wednesday night, as its 81-75 double overtime victory over Iowa State was a step in the right direction for the Tigers. The conquest in their home finale gave the Tigers a 6-9 record in conference play, which ties them for ninth place in the league standings with Nebraska. Oklahoma, meanwhile, has now won back-to-back games following a two- game skid, as its 68-56 win over Oklahoma State was a huge confidence builder. The win put the Sooners in a good position to gain an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, but the squad has a lot of work to do since they are in a three-way tie for the four-seed in the Big 12. Oklahoma has owned the Tigers in Norman, posting a 62-21 record at home in the all-time series.
The top scorers for Missouri came off the bench in the exciting double-overtime victory over Iowa State three nights ago. The usual starters gave way to the seniors in their last home game, and the squad responded with a memorable win. DeMarre Carroll dropped in a game-high 26 points, while Leo Lyons chipped in 19 points and nine rebounds. Lyons is the healthiest scorer at 13.1 ppg, and the forward leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.607). Carroll is averaging 13.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and Keon Lawrence is not far behind at 11.2 ppg.
Defense has been the key to Oklahoma's successful season thus far. The Sooners are allowing opponents to shoot just 40.4 percent from the floor while giving up a mere 63.3 ppg. Last weekend, Texas A&M could only scrounge up 37 points against the Sooners, showing how tenacious their defense can be. On the offensive end, Blake Griffin and Longar Longar are the anchors of a solid frontcourt. Griffin paces the team in points (15.2 ppg) and rebounds (9.3 rpg), while Longar is producing 11.9 points and 5.5 rebounds an outing. Griffin, unfortunately, is out until the postseason with a knee injury. In his absence, Tony Crocker stepped up and deposited 25 points in the victory over Oklahoma State. Crocker is the leading three-point threat, shooting 45.3 percent from downtown while netting 11.6 ppg.
Oklahoma has had the Tigers' number in Norman, and that trend should continue tonight even without the Sooners' best all-around player in the lineup.
Oklahoma by 4
FACTS & STATS: Site: Lloyd Noble Center (12,000) -- Norman, Oklahoma. Television: None. Home Record: Missouri 13-4, Oklahoma 13-3. Away Record: Missouri 2-8, Oklahoma 5-6. Neutral Record: Missouri 1-2, Oklahoma 2-1. Conference Record: Missouri 6-9, Oklahoma 8-7. Series Record: Oklahoma leads, 110-93.
GAME NOTES: The Oklahoma Sooners look to bring a three-game winning streak into the Big 12 Conference Tournament as they close out regular season play at the Lloyd Noble Center by hosting the Missouri Tigers. Missouri needed two extra periods to snap a two-game slide on Wednesday night, as its 81-75 double overtime victory over Iowa State was a step in the right direction for the Tigers. The conquest in their home finale gave the Tigers a 6-9 record in conference play, which ties them for ninth place in the league standings with Nebraska. Oklahoma, meanwhile, has now won back-to-back games following a two- game skid, as its 68-56 win over Oklahoma State was a huge confidence builder. The win put the Sooners in a good position to gain an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, but the squad has a lot of work to do since they are in a three-way tie for the four-seed in the Big 12. Oklahoma has owned the Tigers in Norman, posting a 62-21 record at home in the all-time series.
The top scorers for Missouri came off the bench in the exciting double-overtime victory over Iowa State three nights ago. The usual starters gave way to the seniors in their last home game, and the squad responded with a memorable win. DeMarre Carroll dropped in a game-high 26 points, while Leo Lyons chipped in 19 points and nine rebounds. Lyons is the healthiest scorer at 13.1 ppg, and the forward leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.607). Carroll is averaging 13.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and Keon Lawrence is not far behind at 11.2 ppg.
Defense has been the key to Oklahoma's successful season thus far. The Sooners are allowing opponents to shoot just 40.4 percent from the floor while giving up a mere 63.3 ppg. Last weekend, Texas A&M could only scrounge up 37 points against the Sooners, showing how tenacious their defense can be. On the offensive end, Blake Griffin and Longar Longar are the anchors of a solid frontcourt. Griffin paces the team in points (15.2 ppg) and rebounds (9.3 rpg), while Longar is producing 11.9 points and 5.5 rebounds an outing. Griffin, unfortunately, is out until the postseason with a knee injury. In his absence, Tony Crocker stepped up and deposited 25 points in the victory over Oklahoma State. Crocker is the leading three-point threat, shooting 45.3 percent from downtown while netting 11.6 ppg.
Oklahoma has had the Tigers' number in Norman, and that trend should continue tonight even without the Sooners' best all-around player in the lineup.
Oklahoma by 4
