Following a decisive season-opening win over UTSA, the Oklahoma Sooners open Big 12 Conference play early this year as they face the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs in Ft. Worth.

Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (4-0): 3 p.m. CT at Schollmaier Arena

TV: ESPN2

Commentary: Ted Emrich and Tim Welsh

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Radio: Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM “The Franchise” in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Tune In Radio App) with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry announcing

Line: Oklahoma -4.5 (as of 2 p.m. CT)

About TCU

• The Horned Frogs have jumped out to a 4-0 start with wins over Houston Baptist, Tulsa, Liberty and Northwestern State, respectively, but the wins over the latter three have all been close. Close wins over Tulsa and Liberty are understandable, but Northwestern State is 261st in KenPom’s team efficiency rankings, so that one can be marked down as a rough performance.
• TCU is led in scoring by junior guard RJ Nembhard, who is averaging 15 PPG in three appearances. However, the player to watch for TCU is 6’11” junior center Kevin Samuel, who has been one of the top rebounders in the country at 12 per contest. Additionally, the big man is averaging 10.5 PPG, 2.3 blocks and 1.5 steals.
• The Frogs are currently No. 61 nationally in KenPom’s team efficiency rankings, sitting at No. 107 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 20 in defensive efficiency. The thing that sticks out, however, is the fact that they’re No. 345 in adjusted tempo. Needless to say, contrasting styles will be on display, as OU is 41st in this category.

Three Things

Reaves returns to Ft. Worth: OU’s last trip to TCU was what one could describe as ‘eventful’, as the Sooners erased an 18-point halftime deficit before Austin Reaves sunk the Frogs with .5 remaining on the clock. Reaves ended the day with 41 points — the most scored by anyone in a Big 12 game last season — and looked every bit the part of the offensive alpha he had struggled to become throughout the 2019-20 campaign. In OU’s season-opening win over UTSA, Reaves only took five shots and seemed comfortable letting his teammates find their rhythm, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s a bit more assertive this time around.

Kuath vs. Samuel: In his first game as OU’s new staring center, redshirt senior Kur Kuath did well, scoring 10 points, a block and an impressive posterization. However, he’s facing one of the biggest test of his career as he matches up with the aforementioned Samuel, who has about a 30-pound advantage in the post. If he can avoid being pushed around, the rest of OU’s lineup should be able to take this one home, but TCU could keep this close if he gets bullied.

Brady Manek: Not much to add here other than the fact that Prairie Bird was on fire against UTSA, hitting eight threes and showing off a fantastic mustache. It would be nice to see more of that. Strong analysis, huh?

Prediction

Oklahoma 78, TCU 68