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Sometimes you want to make a quick pit stop, empty the bladder, grab a bag of salty snacks and limber up the limbs before hitting the open road again. For the fast-minded who enjoy simple $2 scratchers hoping to uncover the jackpot-winning image, here are quick thoughts and the lean on Oklahoma vs. Alabama.
No. 12 Oklahoma (13-0, 0-0) at No. 5 Alabama (11-2, 0-0)
Date: Saturday, January 4
Time: 6 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
When Porter Moser took the gig at Oklahoma and left Sister Jean and the Loyola-Chicago program behind, some questioned whether he could be successful with jumping from mid-major to big-boy conference. Given the laundry list of coaches who ventured down similar paths, doubts were understandable and warranted.
It has not been the easiest road, but in his fourth year in Norman, Moser has the Sooners boomin’.
Sporting the nation’s longest active win streak — 13 games — Oklahoma is unblemished entering the SEC main slate. Sure, several cupcakes were smashed along the way, but with neutral-court victories against Arizona, Louisville and Michigan, the Sooners’ 3-0 record against Quadrant 1s and their sterling overall profile speak loudly.
This season’s SEC is destined to be a slaughterhouse for road victims. Unquestionably, the rough and rugged league is the country’s best and has the potential of producing a dozen or more NCAA Tournament participants.
In its first true road test, Oklahoma is likely to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. However, an outright drubbing — as the spread suggests — won’t occur.
The pick — SGP: Oklahoma +15.5, Game OVER 156.5 (+103, Caesars)
The Sooners have the experience, depth and all-around chops to compete with Alabama. They’re No. 22 in effective field-goal percentage offense, splashing 36.7% on 3-pointers and 58.3% on 2-pointers. They’ve also cashed in frequently from the free-throw line, shooting a highly impactful 81.9%.
No slouch on defense, Oklahoma has successfully coaxed turnovers (20.8% of opponent possessions) and boasts one of the best perimeter Ds (27.1 3PT% allowed). And that last point is key.
For Nate Oats, the formula in Tuscaloosa remains unchanged. His offense is all about speed, 3s and second chances. Over 50% of the Crimson Tide’s shots come from beyond the arc, but they have hit a largely lousy 31.7% of those attempts.
However, Bama converts 63.1% on 2s, often cleaning up on second chances. It’s also defensively effective despite what the uptempo gameplay may suggest, and it enters Saturday’s matchup No. 30 in effective-field goal percentage D.
For Oklahoma to finish within striking distance, its front-court muscle must box out. How Sam Godwin, Jalon Moore and Glenn Taylor Jr. perform on the glass will be pivotal. If they hold their own and freshman point guard sensation Jeremiah Fears continues to shine on both ends, the Sooners will undoubtedly hang with Mark Sears and company.
In a game in which the accelerator will constantly be floored, OU won’t eat dust.
Season record: 12-9, +2.97 units