Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will Sooners swerve Bedlam sweep in bubble battle in Norman?

A huge upset of Alabama last Saturday was big for Oklahoma, but it won’t matter much in the big picture if they can’t get it together in Big 12 play. Tonight, they will look to work on that part as they host rival Oklahoma State (9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT, ESPN2).

Both the Cowboys (12-9, 3-5 Big 12) and Sooners (12-9, 2-6 Big 12) are firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble as February begins.

Following their upset of the #2 Crimson Tide, the Sooners are now on the right side of the bubble, according to ESPN’s latest Bracketology update. The Cowboys, however, are on the outside looking in, occupying one of the “First Four Out” spots along with Texas A&M, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

The last two Bedlam battles in Norman have both gone to overtime, with Cade Cunningham’s 40-piece leading Okie State to a 94-90 win two seasons ago and the Sooners eking out a 66-62 win last season.

Will we have another close contest at the Lloyd Noble Center tonight? Read on for our Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma basketball prediction, as well as our picks for this pivotal Big 12 matchup.

Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 3:45 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Oklahoma State +3.5 (-110)
• Oklahoma -3.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 130.5 (-114)
• Under 130.5 (-106)

Moneyline

• Oklahoma State +138
• Oklahoma -166

Can Oklahoma State Cool Off Sharpshooting Sherfield Again?

Nevada transfer Grant Sherfield has been Oklahoma’s top offensive threat all season long, but he entered Saturday’s game against Alabama having scored just 24 points in the previous three games, all losses.

But the senior from Fort Worth, Texas picked a fine, fine time to break out of his slump, as he torched the Tide to the tune of 30 points and six assists. He was 11 of 20 from the field overall, made 4 of 5 from three, and sank all four of his attempts from the foul line.

The Sooners also got a career-best performance from Jalen Hill, who scored a career-high 26 points (9 of 11 FG, 2-2 3PT, 6 of 7 FT) and added eight rebounds in the Sooners’ 93-69 win.

OU’s hopes will certainly be helped tonight if Hill can have another big night, but a lot will still rest on how Sherfield fares against Oklahoma State after a poor showing in the first meeting two weeks ago in Stillwater.

In the Cowboys’ 72-56 win, Sherfield scored 15 points but was just 5 of 13 from the field overall, and he made just one of his four attempts from outside.

If the Sooners can have another solid offensive performance, the Cowboys will likely be in a pretty perilous position.

Thus far this season, Oklahoma State is 2-6 when allowing 65 or more points, with their lone wins coming against UT Arlington (77-66) and DePaul (82-78). In Big 12 play, they are 0-4 when allowing 65 or more points.

Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma Prediction and Picks

OK State vs Oklahoma Prediction: Oklahoma to win

OK State vs Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma -3.5 (Best Value: BetOnline/Bovada Sportsbook/BetUS)

The Cowboys have scored 75 and 82 points in their last two games, which is just the second time this season that they have scored 70+ points in two or more games in a row.

But all good things must come to an end, and I don’t see them thriving tonight in Norman.

Since pushing Kansas until the very end in a two-point loss in Lawrence in their Big 12 opener, the Cowboys have dropped three straight road games in conference play, each by double digits.

The Sooners may not win this one by double digits, but I do expect them to follow Saturday’s stunning win over Alabama with an important rivalry win.

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