Texas Basketball Faces Red River Rivals
It is Valentines Day; a day for lovers, and tonight, two teams that do not really care for each other will take to the court to settle their differences.
The Longhorns basketball team looks to continue their winning ways in Norman against their Red River foes, Oklahoma.
This is the first time these two have met this year, and both teams are fighting for an edge to gain some ground in the Big 12.
The Sooners are looking to end their four game losing streak, while Texas is riding a three game winning streak. Both teams last win was against Kansas State.
Oklahoma comes into this game a mere 3-9 in Big 12 play, with a win over Texas Tech and two wins over Kansas State. This record is quite deceptive though, as first-year coach Lou Kruger has done a lot to turn this Sooner team around, as the season gets deeper.
Texas is 6-6 in conference play and looks to get over the .500 mark with a big win tonight.
J’Covan Brown needs to get off to quick start and prove why he leads the Big 12 in scoring with 19.8 points a game. He will be hoping to get some help from Clint Chapman, whose play has been getting better each game. Texas will also need their freshman guards and forwards to step up and make things touch on the Sooners.
The Longhorns will need to keep their eyes on Oklahoma’s leading scorer Steven Pledger, who averages 17.2 points per game. Texas will also be looking to slow down Sam Grooms, who leads the Big 12 in assists with six per game.
If Texas can frustrate these two players and make it difficult for them to get into a rhythm, Oklahoma will find it hard to get enough points for a win.
This would be a big win for both teams, but Texas could use it a lot more at this point in the season. The Longhorns players’ girlfriends might appreciate a win as well, maybe that will make up for not spending Valentine’s Day with them, but probably not.
