Texas vs Oklahoma: The right way to watch, sport time, preview for ladies’s hoops battle

The SEC is the ultimate energy convention to begin in-conference video games and at 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, two groups coming into their first seasons within the convention meet-up in Oklahoma. Simply because they’re new to the convention doesn’t imply they’re new to one another, with the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners welcoming the No. 5 Texas Longhorns within the 69th version of the Pink River Rivalry.

Though the soccer groups began the border battle in 1900, in girls’s basketball the 2 sides started assembly in 1979, with Texas holding a 39-29 benefit all-time.

Even so, the Longhorns journey north with a two-game dropping streak towards the Sooners, however Thursday evening options not solely new names within the convention standings however first-time appearances from school stars and the return of Texas’ X-factor who wasn’t out there within the present run of defeats.

Right here’s what to observe Thursday evening when the 2 groups take to the courtroom in Norman:

Rori Harmon Returns

Final season, an ACL tear for level guard Rori Harmon meant the Longhorns have been and not using a key crew chief when Oklahoma and Texas confronted off twice within the common season. Then a part of the Large 12, Texas freshman guard Madison Booker scored 55 mixed factors within the two defeats, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to beat their rivals. When Harmon was wholesome and taking part in Texas gained three straight video games towards Oklahoma.

Though the guard’s scoring is down this season, averaging a profession low 9.8 factors per sport, Harmon’s offense steps up in key moments. On Dec. 5, towards the Notre Dame Combating Irish, Harmon and the Longhorns misplaced in time beyond regulation, however with out the purpose guard there wouldn’t have been an opportunity on the further interval, scoring the ultimate 4 factors for Texas within the fourth quarter, together with incomes a foul with a pair seconds remaining.

Harmon brings versatility to video games for Texas, one thing they lacked final season. The 2-time all-conference choice leads the Longhorns in steals per sport (2.7) and each Texas and the SEC in assists (87). Add Harmon alongside Booker and it makes each gamers higher. If one is double-teamed, the opposite is out there and vice versa.

Raegan Beers Avoiding Early Fouls

For the Sooners, Raegan Beers isn’t solely making an SEC debut however taking part in in her first Pink River Rivalry. After taking part in two seasons with Oregon State, Beers joined the Sooners as arguably probably the most coveted switch of the 2024 portal.

The hype wasn’t understated, with Beers within the high 10 of the SEC in factors, rebounds and blocks per sport, plus the second highest capturing share within the convention at 69.3 p.c. Beers’ presence within the paint is essential for an Oklahoma program that grabs 51 rebounds per sport, probably the most within the SEC.

An issue for Beers and the Sooners is getting the junior to remain on the courtroom.

Photograph by Michael Hickey/Getty Photographs

Beers is taking part in a profession low 21.8 minutes per sport. In three video games towards energy convention opponents, Beers bumped into foul bother, getting at the least 4 fouls in all three contests.

Towards then No. 22 ranked Louisville Cardinals and No. 20 ranked Michigan Wolverines, Beers performed eight minutes in every first half for the Sooners. Whereas Oklahoma and Michigan went into halftime tied within the eventual Sooners 72-62 victory, Beers’ three first half factors and two first half rebounds towards Louisville was a part of the explanation why Oklahoma wanted a 12-point second half comeback.

Oklahoma gained each of these video games, however these weren’t towards a top-five crew within the nation.

Beers will get into these conditions as a result of she’s bodily, makes life troublesome for opposing bigs and scores effectively and infrequently. So, Beers’ flexing her expertise is a danger that usually suggestions within the ahead’s favor. For Beers to remain within the sport, the junior must be looking out for a Texas facet who will attempt to get her on the bench early. Plus, preserving in thoughts the additional consideration from officiating that usually comes with in-conference play.

Maintaining Possessions

Now, it isn’t all on the shoulders of Beers. Within the third energy convention sport for the Sooners, Beers performed a season excessive 31 minutes, scoring 26 factors, but it surely ended with a 109-99 defeat to the then No. 13 Duke Blue Devils. A part of the explanation for the Sooners’ lone defeat of the season was turnovers.

Oklahoma going through Texas is a sport between one facet who offers the ball away in bunches and one other that excels in taking possessions away from opponents.

The Sooners sit first within the SEC in turnovers per sport with 17.5. Towards ranked colleges, that quantity will increase to 22 per sport. Oklahoma offers up 58 p.c of their turnovers within the first half of these ranked matchups, resulting in probably extra offensive alternatives for the Longhorns.

Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs

Defensively, Texas is third within the SEC with 12.9 steals per sport, with the aforementioned Harmon being fourth within the convention in that class, however further possessions aren’t just one on turnovers. Texas may acquire a bonus, and extra time with the ball by having a robust sport on the boards.

Whereas the Sooners seize over 50 rebounds per sport, their lone lack of the season, to Duke, exhibits one other approach for groups to get the benefit over Oklahoma. Within the defeat, the Sooners have been evaded rebounds, which suggests dropping out on second possibilities with offensive rebounds and giving the ball to the opposite crew after they seize defensive boards.

Duke was efficient at preserving Oklahoma all the way down to 34 rebounds, properly below the 51 rebounds per sport common. Texas has three forwards grabbing at the least 6.3 rebounds per sport with Booker, Taylor Jones and sixth participant Kyla Oldacre. The 6-foot-6 Oldacre performs lower than 19 minutes per sport however nonetheless has 49 offensive rebounds, the fifth highest within the SEC.

Can Oklahoma guard Payton Verhulst keep possession with Harmon within the backcourt and may the Sooners’ paint presence deal with constant rebounders of the Longhorns?

Thursday evening’s sport ought to be an excellent one.