Maybe, just maybe Oklahoma will come out tonight and live up to expectations. Maybe they'll play aggressive defense and maybe they'll move the ball on offense and work for a good shot. Maybe since they're playing the number one team in the nation they'll play like the team we thought they'd be. Maybe that would give them a chance.
If the Sooners don't get up for this game then there isn't a game left that they would get juiced for. Unless you count an invitation the C.B.I. as some sort of honor tonight's game presents Oklahoma with their lone redeeming moment of the season. For this reason I hope we don't see a team that comes out looking lethargic, intimidated and outmanned.
The Kansas Jayhawks are ranked No. 1 in both major polls and are poised to win the Big 12 Conference regular season title with a win over the Sooners. They are undefeated at home (17-0) and are currently riding a 12 game winning streak. If that weren't enough, KU also owns the nation's longest home winning streak (57 games) and lead the Big 12 Conference in scoring (79.7 points per game), defense (66.7 points per game) and rebounding margin (+7).
The Jayhawks have four players averaging 10 points or more per game, led by senior point guard Sherron Collins. Collins averages 15.0 points and a team-high 4.3 assists per game. He leads the team with 53 made 3-pointers on the season (37%) and is a 85% free throw shooter. Freshman guard Xavier Henry averages 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest and is just behind Collins with 52 made 3-pointers (40%) on the season. Sophomore forward Marcus Morris leads the team in shooting percentage (57%) and scores 12.8 points per game while grabbing 6.3 rebounds. He has been the team's leading scorer since conference play began (15.7 points per game). Junior center Cole Aldrich is averaging 11.6 points per game and leads the team in rebounds (10.1 per game) and blocked shots (3.8 per game). Those numbers are good enough to rank 3rd and 2nd respectfully in the Big 12.
Should be just a walk in the park for the Sooners, right?
| Category | Oklahoma | Kansas |
| Record | 13-13 | 26-1 |
| Points Per Game | 73.3 | 82.7 |
| Points Allowed | 72.9 | 62.9 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 35.5 | 41.5 |
| Rebounding Margin |
-0.2 | +7 |
| Field Goal Percentage | .434 | .487 |
| Opponents Field Goal % | .445 | .367 |
| 3-Point Percentage | .353 | .398 |
| Opponents 3-Point % | .384 | .335 |
| Free Throw Percentage | .735 |
.693 |
| Fouls Per Game | 16 | 18.4 |
| Assists Per Game | 12.6 | 17.6 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 12.4 | 15.4 |
| Blocked Shots Per Game | 2.7 | 6.6 |
| Steals Per Game | 5.8 | 8.7 |