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Oklahoma Travels To Baylor In What Could Be A Bit Of A Surprise

By Rich DeCray
Feb 22, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Tyler Neal (15) handles the ball against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cezar Guerrero (1) during the second half at the Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 22, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Tyler Neal (15) handles the ball against Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cezar Guerrero (1) during the second half at the Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE

The last time these two teams met, it was in Norman. The Baylor Bears set fire to the nets shooting 54% from the field to go along with their 50% shooting from beyond the arc. Perry Jones III was coming off an ankle sprain and ended up with a 21 point showing. It is apparent that Baylor will be the more talented team taking the court tomorrow afternoon but don't count Oklahoma out just yet.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a vital flaw that has plagued them all season, second half runs. In their last game against the Oklahoma St. Cowboys, OU was able to weather the storm and push their lead back to a comfortable state. Things could have been very different if the Sooners didn't get out to quick start and a 30-12 lead the half.

How will things play out in Waco?

There is something that has changed since the last time these teams met. Baylor is no where near as lofty as they were once held. The season is catching up to them and the wear and tear has certainly produced different teams all across the country.

The Sooners have played well when traveling to Waco, barring the past two seasons. Yet the Sooners, regardless of the talent difference, have continued to play tough against the Bears until the final seconds when free throw shooting takes over and pushes the lead to double digits.

The major difference this time around is that Cameron Clark and Tyler Neal are combining for an average of 23.3 points in the last three outings. We've said it here all season long that the Sooners needed to establish a bench scorer to compliment the output of the big three in Steven Pledger, Romero Osby, and Andrew Fitzgerald. At this point it would seem that OU has found the answer in Clark and Neal.

If this duo continues their streak and the Big Three get their stats, Oklahoma could shock the nation. The role of this OU squad has been relegated to leaving their mark on the Big Dance in terms of upsets just before conference playoffs begin. The Sooners till have a slim shot at the post season but they must remain above the .500 mark.

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