Bedlam...

[KBaden145]

With all the discussion and cussing from prior to the season about these 2 teams, I think we now have a pretty good picture of both. For me, each team is a game off what I expected from them, OState is a game better (thought they would lose vs NC State) and OU is a game worse (UTA at home). Smart is much better than I thought he would be but OState is basically the squad I thought would be. Good defensively, limited offensively with only 2-3 players to concern yourself with on most nights (Smart, Brown, and Nash, if he shows up at all) and mostly nothing to speak on the interior. OU is much better defensively compared to last year and still developing consistency on offense. I like OState still a little more on defense but I believe we have more options and are better offensively. OU has an advantage because of our bigs inside, especially now that Cam has found a home and I give OState the perimeter edge due solely to Smarts play.

As far as the game goes, I hope we start in zone defensively and are able to drive and attack offensively. I think establishing Osby and MBaye in the post early is important and we should be able get their bigs in foul trouble. The foul trouble and the zone, assuming it is effective, should force Ford to go small to try and shoot us into man to man. I think we match really well with everyone they have outside of Smart. I see a tight game at half opening up in the second as we have a parade at the free throw, as Bedlam games in LNC usually become and win by 10-12, something like 70-58.

 

[DSMok1]

Per KenPom.com:

OU is 90th in the nation on offense, 40th on defense, and runs at an average tempo.
OSU is 75th in the nation on offense, 10th on defense, and plays an average tempo also.

(He would have OSU favored by 4 on a neutral court, something like 66-62.)

 

[KBaden145]

Per KenPom.com:

OU is 90th in the nation on offense, 40th on defense, and runs at an average tempo.
OSU is 75th in the nation on offense, 10th on defense, and plays an average tempo also.

(He would have OSU favored by 4 on a neutral court, something like 66-62.)

That sounds about right. Besides our consistency issues, our offensive ranking probably has a lot do with the number of games we have played away from home. I still like us better than OState offensively bc of how our bigs are playing and Hields emergence as a scorer and facilitator.

LNC isn't a neutral floor. History says this game will be double digits in OUs favor regardless of what Kens computers say.