After a down year in 2016, the Oklahoma Sooners basketball team has been revived this season thanks to their explosive offense. Oklahoma is averaging a nation-leading 94.2 points per game, which is the reason why the team has gone OVER in nine of their 10 games this season. Coach Lon Kruger will try and keep his team rolling when they host the Northwestern Wildcats Friday.
There is no need to dance around it; Trae Young is the reason for Oklahoma’s resurgence. The freshman leads the country in points and assists per game while quickly cementing himself as the leading player of the year contender. No player in the country has a greener light than Young and it has paid off for the entire team, as Oklahoma is collectively shooting 49.7% from the floor thanks to the point guards vision and playmaking.
Northwestern has not lived up to preseason expectations, as the Wildcats have struggled against any real competition. Northwestern’s victories this season have come on the back of their defense and their strong work on the defensive glass but slowing down the explosive Young won’t be easy. It does not help that the team may be shorthanded, as Vic Law – who might be Northwestern’s best defender – is in concussion protocol though he did travel with the team.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Oklahoma Sooners to cover the point spread in this one found them as -7.5-point favorites earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before gametime.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Oklahoma Sooners Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Northwestern Wildcats will look to cover the spread vs the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday, as the Wildcats are 5-6 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Sooners are 4-6 ATS. Northwestern is 4-7 against the total, while Oklahoma is 9-1 versus the total betting line.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 39-rated Oklahoma Sooners and the No. 27-ranked Northwestern Wildcats, according to the latest pro hoops power rankings here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Oklahoma's No. 1 nationally ranked offense (94.2 points per game) against a Northwestern Wildcats defense that sits as the No. 27 at 63.46 PPG. The Oklahoma Sooners have been averaging 49.78% from the field, more than the Wildcats have managed so far this season (44.19% on average).
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The battle between the Wildcats and Flyers didnt turn out to be much of a battle at all as Lewis was handed a 85-48 defeat on Tuesday at Allstate Arena.
Oklahoma cruised to victory on Tuesday, running Northwestern State out of the gym and running up a 105-68 score at Lloyd Noble Center.
Next Betting Matchups
Northwestern home to Brown, Saturday, December 30th
Oklahoma at TCU, Saturday, December 30th