The Oklahoma Sooners are doing a fine job surviving in the first year of the post-Trae Young era, but can they survive the test that will be presented this coming Saturday in Norman by the No. 25 TCU Horned Frogs? The Sooners are +8,000 to win the national title, while the Horned Frogs are +10,000 to do the same.
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Betting Preview for the TCU Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners College Basketball Game on January 12, 2019
Where: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman
When: Saturday, January 12, 2019, 2:00 PM ET
Line: TCU Horned Frogs (odds) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the TCU Horned Frogs (12-1 Overall / 1-0 Conference)
The Horned Frogs seem to be a stronger team than their schedule, which perhaps explain why they are currently on the edge of the Top 25. In any case, TCU is not a joke. And people will definitely stop ignoring them if they could take down the Kansas Jayhawks on Wednesday. Regardless of what happens in that matchup, though, the Horned Frogs’ meeting with Oklahoma in Norman will be a big one. It’s going to add to their resume or spell the difference why they won’t make it to the national tournament. In their last game, the Horned Frogs downed the Baylor Bears at home, 85-81, last Saturday. The tandem of Desmond Bane and Alex Robinson led the way for TCU against Baylor. Bane, who leads the team with 14.4 points per game, had 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting, while Robinson had 18 points and 10 assists. Robinson is the engine that makes TCU’s machine run, as he plays a big role in finding his teammates good looks at the basket. TCU is third in the nation with 20.2 assists per game and 13th with a 49.9 field goal shooting percentage.
TCU is 4-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last six road games (pending the Kansas game).
Betting on the Oklahoma Sooners (12-3 Overall / 1-2 Conference)
The Sooners almost netted a big win in Lubbock on Tuesday, falling short of their mission to upset the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders on the road in a 66-59 loss. Still, their performance against an elite team like Texas Tech showed that the Sooners can still bite even if Trae Young is no longer around. In fact, the Young’s departure seems to be making a positive impact on their defense. Last year, the Sooners were among the worst in the nation in defense, as they allowed 81.7 points per game. This season, they surprisingly have become one of the best. The Sooners are surrendering only 66.2 points per game, currently ranked 54th in the world. KenPom even has the Sooners’ defense seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency. Christian James is no Trae Young, but he’s been a steady figure on offense, leading the Sooners with 17. points per game, while Brady Manek is right behind him with 11.4 per contest.
Oklahoma is 6-0 straight up (SU) and ATS in its last six home games.
Writer’s Prediction
TCU wins, 75-70.
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