Alabama heads to Norman to take on Oklahoma in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
The season’s last major non-conference event is this week’s highlight of the college basketball calendar. The SEC/Big 12 Challenge has plenty of great games on tap but one of the biggest comes in Norman as SEC-leading Alabama hits the road to take on the Sooners.
The Crimson Tide has quickly emerged as the SEC’s best team, entering this matchup on a 10-game winning streak. That run includes a perfect 9-0 run in conference play with the latest victory coming earlier this week as Alabama completed a season sweep of Kentucky in an easy 70-59 win.
The key to Alabama’s success has been a well-balanced offensive attack that averages 81.1 points per game. Four different scorers average at least a dozen points for the Crimson Tide, including Alabama’s dynamic three-guard trio of John Petty Jr, Jaden Shackleford and Jahvon Quinerly.
This road matchup will be a good test for Alabama as the Sooners have been surging in the Big 12. Oklahoma climbed into the polls this week, checking in at No. 24 on the strength of a four-game winning streak.
The last two victories have been particularly impressive for the Sooners, who beat Kansas by seven last weekend before winning by a point over No. 5 Texas in Austin earlier this week. Senior guard Austin Reaves was the big playmaker in the win over the Longhorns, pouring in 23 points along with six rebounds and four assists.
These teams both can put the ball in the basket with ease so this game could turn into a true shootout. The winner here can certainly claim a major victory for their March Madness resume.
How to bet and watch Alabama at Oklahoma
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 30
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Norman, OK
- Venue: Lloyd Noble Center
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- Line: Oklahoma -1.5 (FanDuel)
- Prediction: Oklahoma 80, Alabama 78
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