The Oklahoma Sooners is on a three-game skid follow a bad loss the Kansas State and a pair of heartbreakers against Oklahoma State, but a win over the Texas Longhorns would turn the frowns upside-down.

No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (14-8, 9-7 Big 12) vs. Texas (15-7, 9-6 Big 12): 8 p.m. CT at the Lloyd Noble Center

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Commentary: Chuckie Kempf and Robbie Hummel

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: Oklahoma -2 (as of 7 p.m. CT)

Three Things

• Bracketology: Following the three-game losing streak, OU has moved down to the 5-line in Joe Lunardi’s updated bracketology projections. Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ has OU down to the 6-line, the Sooners have also fallen to No. 29 in the NCAA’s NET Rankings. A win over Texas (No. 26 NET, 4-seed Palm and 4-seed Lunardi), would undoubtedly stem the negative tide, making this rivalry game all the more vital.
• Another big win?: With Texas being at No. 15 in this week’s AP Poll, Thursday presents the opportunity for OU’s sixth win over a top-15 team, which would put OU in the national lead for wins of teams in that category.
• A stronger UT roster: In the first matchup, Texas was without without starters Jericho Sims and Courtney Ramey as well as reserve Brock Cunningham. With Sims back in the lineup, Kur Kuath and Victor Iwuakor will have to be utilized to combat his length, so each should get plenty of minutes tonight.

Prediction

In spite of OU’s defensive rebounding issues, OU’s bigs have previously stepped up to the challenge against larger front lines (such as West Virginia). With the game happening at home and the team in desperate need of a W, I think OU pulls it out late.

Oklahoma 70, Texas 68