Oklahoma-Oklahoma State Basketball: Blake Griffin, Sooners Face In-State Test

Monday, Jan. 26, 2009—9:00 pm EST

No. 6 Oklahoma (19-1, 5-0) at Oklahoma State (13-5, 2-2)

Spread: Oklahoma -2.5

Top Player-of-the-Year candidate Blake Griffin leads No. 6-ranked Oklahoma (19-1, 5-0) into a hostile environment in Stillwater, OK versus Oklahoma State (13-5, 2-2).

Backcourt Advantage: Oklahoma State.

Guard-heavy OSU can match up with anyone in the backcourt, and this game will be no exception. Any one of their four guards—sophomore James Anderson (17.9 PPG), junior Obi Muonelo (15.6 PPG), senior Terrel Harris (14.3 PPG), or senior Byron Eaton (13.6 PPG)—can lead their team in scoring on any given night, which gives them great scoring consistency.

OU’s senior point guard Austin Johnson (4.6 APG) and their second-leading scorer, freshman Willie Warren (15.1 PPG), will have their hands full slowing them down.

Frontcourt Advantage: Oklahoma.

6’10” forward Blake Griffin (22.2 PPG, 13.8 RPG) will have a field day underneath as Oklahoma State lacks frontcourt size and depth, with 6’8” Malcolm Kirkland being their only option to defend him. Expect a huge game from Griffin, as this will be a great opportunity for him to inflate his already impressive season averages as he continues to lobby for Player of the Year honors.

Momentum: Oklahoma.

The Sooners come in winners of seven straight, including two on the road. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are 1-2 in their last three games. They rebounded with an OT win over Nebraska after back-to-back losses to Baylor and Missouri.

OSU is also 0-3 versus Top 25 teams this season and desperately needs a big win for their résumé, so they will be primed and ready for this game as it presents them with the opportunity to get that much-needed big win. All that’s standing in their way is Griffin, and he will be too much for the undersized Cowboys to handle.

Prediction: Oklahoma -2.5

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