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After topping the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks in Norman, the No. 24 Oklahoma Sooners face yet another top-10 opponent as they take on the No. 5 Texas Longhorns in Austin.
Adding attitude to our attire.#BoomerSooner | #BeatTexas pic.twitter.com/DxocdQ4Hiw
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) January 26, 2021
Oklahoma Sooners (9-4, 5-3 Big 12) at Texas (11-2, 5-1 Big 12): 6 p.m. CT at the Frank Erwin Center (Austin, Texas)
TV: ESPN2
Commentary: Jon Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Sooner Sports 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: Texas -4 (as of 4:00 p.m. CT)
About Texas
- UT’s last two Big 12 games have been postponed, so this is the Longhorns’ first contest since their Jan. 16 win over Kansas State.
- Texas is currently No. 9 in KenPom’s team efficiency rankings, sitting at No. 16 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 8 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
- Texas is led in scoring by Andrew Jones, who is averaging 14.4 PPG on the season and has been lighting it up as of late. Jones was diagnosed with leukemia in January of 2018, but after successful treatment, he played all 31 games of the 2019-20 season and has played in all but one game this season. His story has without a doubt been one of the most inspiring in recent memory, and this Sooner tips his cap to his perseverance.
- UT head coach Shaka Smart will be out tonight as he recovers following a positive COVID-19 test.
- UPDATE (5:10 p.m.): According to a report from OrangeBloods, Texas will be without starters Jericho Sims and Courtney Ramey as well as reserve Brock Cunningham.
Three Things
- Way-too-early bracketology: CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm has the Sooners as a No. 6 seed in his updated bracketology, while ESPN’s Joe Lunardi currently has OU as a No. 7 seed in his bracket. Additionally, the Sooners are currently No. 26 in the NCAA’s NET Rankings.
- Harkless locking it down: In his most recent season at Cal State Northridge, Elijah Harkless recorded 54 steals — the most by a CSUN player since 2004-05. He’s picked up right where he left off in Norman, as he had three steals in each of last week’s games. His defensive efforts as a whole earned him Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors, and his Lu Dort-esque contributions have been a godsend for this squad.
- Harmon continues to sizzle: In OU’s last three games, sophomore guard De’Vion Harmon has lead the team in scoring (22 against TCU, 16 against Kansas State, 22 against Kansas). During the stretch, he’s shot 53.7 percent from the field, 47.6 percent from three and 100 percent from the stripe.
Prediction
Original: Oklahoma’s perimeter defense will keep this one close, but Texas should be fresh. I think they pull away late. UPDATE: With the absences, I like OU’s chances
Original: Texas 73, Oklahoma 68. UPDATED with absences: Oklahoma 75, Texas 71