College Basketball Picks: Texas vs. Oklahoma – January 15

Texas Longhorns (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (13-3 SU, 7-9 ATS)

When: Wednesday, January 15th, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Lloyd Noble Center, OK, Norman

TV: SECN

Point Spread: TX +2.5/OKL -2.5

Total: 149

Money Line: Texas Longhorns +136/-162

Notable Injuries

Longhorns

• Chendall Weaver (Questionable) Hip

Sooners

Recent Form

The Longhorns fell to 11-5 on the season after a 74-70 loss to Tennessee on Saturday. Despite being +4.5 point underdogs, Texas kept things close at home, covering the spread. The total points for the game reached 144, going over the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.

Texas trailed 33-31 at halftime and put up 39 points in the second half, but they allowed 41 points to Tennessee after the break, leading to the loss.

The Sooners dropped to 13-3 on the season after a 72-62 road loss to Georgia on Saturday. Oklahoma entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 134, falling short of the 147.5 O/U line.

Oklahoma led 36-33 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 26 points while allowing 39.

Analysis

In their last game, the Longhorns put up 70 points, shooting 41.9% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.4%, and they hit 78.6% of their free throws, going 11-for-14.

Tre Johnson led the way with 26 points, shooting 64.7% from the field and 50% from three. Zakai Zeigler added 16 points and eight assists, while Jordan Pope contributed 17 points on 50% shooting.

Even though Texas allowed 74 points, they held their opponent to 41% shooting overall. The Longhorns gave up 51% shooting from inside the arc, with the other team hitting 19 of 37 two-point attempts.

From three-point range, Texas limited their opponent to 28% shooting, with just 7 made threes on 25 attempts. The Longhorns also sent them to the line 14 times, where they converted 11 free throws for 78%.

Oklahoma struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 38.1% from the field and 25.9% from beyond the arc, finishing with 62 points. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.4%, and they connected on 7 of 9 free throws (77.8%).

Jalon Moore led the team with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Asa Newell and Dakota Leffew each added 15 points. Leffew shot 62.5% from the field, and Kobe Elvis contributed 14 points and five assists.

Oklahoma gave up 72 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 42% from the field. They were effective in limiting damage from beyond the arc, allowing just three threes on 17 attempts (17%).

Inside the arc, the opposition shot 56%, hitting 18 of 32 two-point attempts. Oklahoma also sent them to the line 37 times, where they made 27 free throws (73%). The Sooners allowed 12 offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• In their last three road games, Texas has averaged 63 points per game while allowing 65. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
• In their last ten games at home, the Sooners have a straight-up record of 4-6 while going 3-7 vs. the spread. The team averaged 72 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Texas has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 0-3 straight up.
• Over the team’s last five games as the favorite, the Sooners struggled vs the spread going just 1-4. However, they still had a straight-up mark of 4-1.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

I think it’s an absolute steal getting Texas at +2.5 in this matchup vs Oklahoma. Both teams have yet to win in the month of January, but Texas has played a really tough schedule of late, and in their last two games, they have held up well against some of college basketball’s best teams. I do expect this one to be close, and I am going to take Texas to cover (+2.5).