+++++++OU vs. Baylor Gameday Thread+++++++

[OUHoops]

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211490227

TUESDAY'S GAME BASICS
Oklahoma (9-17, 3-11 Big 12) heads to Waco for its second-to-last road game of the 2016-17 season. No. 9/9 Baylor (22-5, 9-5 Big 12) will face the Sooners coming off of back-to-back losses against Texas Tech and Kansas. The Sooners are 1-1 when facing an AP Top 25 opponent on the road this season, falling to No. 17 Wisconsin in early December and prevailing 89-87 in overtime at No. 7 West Virginia on Jan. 18.

ON THE AIR
Tuesday’s contest tips off at 6 p.m. CT and air on the Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM “The Franchise” in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa) with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry announcing. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 with Jon Sciambi and Miles Simon calling the action.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
• No returning Big 12 player has seen a bigger increase in role than Oklahoma sophomore guard Rashard Odomes. After playing just 6.1 minutes per game in 18 contests last year, Odomes is averaging 29.5 minutes per game and has started in all 26 games. His increase in minutes (23.4 per game) is by far the most in the Big 12. No other Big 12 returner is averaging more than 16 additional minutes per game compared to their previous season. Offensively, Odomes averaged 1.9 points per game in 2015-16 and is scoring 10.6 points a night in 2016-17. He is the only returning Big 12 player to average under two points last season and over 10 points in 2016-17. His increase in scoring (8.7 points per game) is the second-highest among any Big 12 returner. Odomes enters Tuesday coming off a career performance of 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting with 10 rebounds against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18.

• With a victory against Baylor, Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger would become the 33rd head men’s basketball coach to win 600 career NCAA Division games. Kruger won his 599th career game on Tuesday against Texas, 70-66. He owns a career record of 599-378 and boasts the 10th-most Division I victories among active head coaches.

• OU continues to show its depth in conference play. Through 14 Big 12 games, Oklahoma boasts 23.8 bench points per game in league competition - the second most in the conference. The Sooners are one of only two Big 12 squads to average over 20 bench points in league games. Since losing Woodard to a season-ending injury, the Sooners are averaging 36.0 bench points in two games.

•Of Oklahoma’s 92 points against Oklahoma State on Saturday, 85 were scored by freshmen and sophomores. One of the youngest teams in the Big 12, Sooner underclassmen are averaging 51.8 combined points in conference contests and make up 72.9 percent of OU’s scoring against Big 12 foes.

• The Sooners have outrebounded their opponents in four staight outings, pulling down an average of 40.0 boards per game. Oklahoma averages 38.0 rebounds per game this season - the second most in the Big 12.

SERIES HISTORY
• Oklahoma is 44-13 all-time against the Bears and has won 39 of the last 47 meetings. OU boasts an 8-5 advantage over Baylor during the Kruger era.

• Baylor is one of three Big 12 schools the Sooners own a winning road record against. OU is 19-6 in Waco and has won 19 of its last 23 road contests against the Bears.

• The Bears have swept the Sooners in the regular season just twice during the Big 12 era - most recently during Kruger’s first season with OU (2011-12). Since his first year at Oklahoma, Kruger has led his team to an 8-3 record against Baylor.

YOUTH GROUP
• One of the youngest teams in both the Big 12 and the nation, Oklahoma has seen its freshmen and sophomores play a large role for the Sooners this season. The Sooner roster boasts 11 underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) – the most of any OU team in the Lon Kruger era and the most of any Big 12 roster this season. The young Sooners have received ample experience through their first 14 Big 12 contests.

• OU freshmen have played a total of 1,056 minutes (second most in Big 12), averaging a combined 27.6 points per game and contributing 38.8 percent of OU’s scoring in Big 12 play - the second-highest percentage in the conference. Sooner underclassmen rank second in the Big 12 in total minutes played in conference competition (2,093) and have scored 72.9 percent of Oklahoma’s points in league play (second in Big 12).

 

[Big Old Booger]

So far no defense on Baylor inside game. They are getting easy buckets.

 

[Big Old Booger]

We need rebounder in the worst way. Doolittle seems to have his mind elsewhere.

 

[sdcloud9]

Against Baylor, it takes all five guys on the defensive boards.

They will destroy you otherwise.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Against Baylor, it takes all five guys on the defensive boards.

They will destroy you otherwise.

We aren't getting any offensive boards. One shot each trip.

 

[TheGimper]

Don't know why Freeman came in for Buford. At least Buford showed some energy. Freeman threw the ball away twice, clanked a 3, and committed a foul away from the ball.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Don't know why Freeman came in for Buford. At least Buford showed some energy. Freeman threw the ball away twice, clanked a 3, and committed a foul away from the ball.

Buford is just standing around on defense. The rebound went over his head and he just stood there.

 

[sdcloud9]

Freeman may as well come in and jack some threes, it he doesn't hit then he comes out.

Scrambling for any offense right now.

 

[TheGimper]

Buford is just standing around on defense. The rebound went over his head and he just stood there.

You mean the one where they called over the back and he drew a foul?

 

[Dcox]

Don't know why Freeman came in for Buford. At least Buford showed some energy. Freeman threw the ball away twice, clanked a 3, and committed a foul away from the ball.

We've scored 13 points and that's what you got Freeman's mistakes?

 

[TheGimper]

Can't believe we scored over 90 just a few days ago. Wish this team had any sort of consistency

 

[TheGimper]

We've scored 13 points and that's what you got Freeman's mistakes?

No, my original question was wondering why he came in for Buford when Dante was at least showing energy when the team feels flat right now.

 

[Dcox]

No, my original question was wondering why he came in for Buford when Dante was at least showing energy when the team feels flat right now.

Ok...cool

 

[TheGimper]

Ok...cool

 

[Big Old Booger]

You mean the one where they called over the back and he drew a foul?

No the one I'm talking about was ultimately a foul on Oklahoma.

 

[Boomer!Sooner!]

Typically like when guards are really physical, but James sometimes is a little too much. I mean you get you shot blocked and you shove the guy? Come on bud.

 

[sdcloud9]

Hate it say this, OU's players are playing so soft.

Baylor has imposed their will in the paint. That's Baylor's strength but guys have to compete better than they are.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Matt Freeman man it's been awhile since he's made a shot

 

[Big Old Booger]

Buford did his typical drive and get the ball stripped. Dude has no feel for when to go strong and when not to.

 

[stormspencer]

Hate it say this, OU's players are playing so soft.

Baylor has imposed their will in the paint. That's Baylor's strength but guys have to compete better than they are.

Agreed and this team continues to NOT do the little things:

• Given up two offensive rebounds for put-backs on FT attempts.
• McNease comes down with a defensive rebound and get the ball slapped away and Freeman gets an easy layup.

Why should we expect this same crap NOT to continue next year? It's a bad play here and a bad play there that adds up.... It's been going on all season.