NCAA Tournament: What the experts are saying about the OU-SDSU game
By Anthony Slater – Aslater@opubco.com - @anthonyVslater
Leading up to the tournament, OU’s opener against San Diego State has been one of the least talked about first round games (I still refuse to acknowledge the play-in games as round 1). Because many feel, regardless of the winner, it’s just a tune-up for a Georgetown beatdown on Sunday.
But all things considered, at least in my opinion, it may be one of the most competitive of the opening weekend. Here’s what some of the experts across the inter webs had to say on the matchups (most favor SDSU):
No. 7 San Diego State over No. 10 Oklahoma: The Aztecs are solid on the defensive end, but Oklahoma’s Romero Osby will be a tough matchup. That said, Jamaal Franklin can match him point for point and rebound for rebound. I like San Diego State to advance.
“The Sooners enter the tournament with three losses in their past five games and 0-5 against top-25 teams on the season. Six-foot-8 senior forward Romero Osby gives Oklahoma a steady presence while averaging 15.7 points and seven rebounds, but the Sooners have struggled to find much rhythm offensively of late. In their past two losses (to TCU and Iowa State), the Sooners have made just 3 of 34 3-pointers. Steven Pledger, Je’lon Hornbeak and Buddy Hield went a combined 2 for 24 on triples during those two games. That will have to change if OU wants to advance.”
“Neither team has played particularly well down the stretch or away from home. If the Sooners are going to win this game, they’ll need to feed big man Romero Osby as often as possible. If the Aztecs are going to win this game, Jamaal Franklin needs to be a consistent factor, either as an offensive threat or attacking the glass.”
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