Arkansas Razorbacks vs Oklahoma Sooners Picks and Predictions January 25th 2025

Sooners and Razorbacks Meet After Ending SEC Skids

The Oklahoma Sooners and Arkansas Razorbacks finally broke into the SEC win column this week, setting up an intriguing matchup on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark. Both teams are eager to continue climbing the conference standings as they adjust to recent challenges and changes.

Oklahoma Sooners: Fresh Energy After a Strong Win

In their inaugural SEC season, the Sooners (14-4, 1-4 SEC) earned their first conference victory by dominating South Carolina 82-62 on Jan. 18. The decisive win came on the heels of a tough 77-73 loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

Senior forward Jalon Moore has been Oklahoma’s cornerstone, leading the team with 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His versatility and leadership have anchored the Sooners as they navigate their new conference.

Head coach Porter Moser credited his team’s response in practice after the Texas loss for their turnaround.

“We didn’t coach energy or effort, we coached execution,” Moser said. “The guys stayed together and believed, and that made all the difference.”

Oklahoma’s balanced scoring effort against South Carolina showcased the team’s potential. If they can maintain that intensity and execution, they pose a significant challenge for Arkansas.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Adjusting Without Boogie Fland

The Razorbacks (12-7, 1-5 SEC) earned their first conference victory in dramatic fashion, rallying from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Georgia 68-65 on Wednesday. The win ended a five-game SEC losing streak.

However, Arkansas faces a major hurdle with the loss of standout freshman Boogie Fland, who is out for the season following surgery on a thumb ligament. Fland had been the team’s second-leading scorer (15.1 points per game) and led in assists (5.7).

In his absence, sophomore Ado Thiero stepped up with a double-double against Georgia, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Thiero, who leads the team with 16.4 points per game, is now the focal point of the Razorbacks’ offense.

Head coach John Calipari emphasized the need for internal adjustments after Fland’s injury.

“We scrimmaged a lot Monday since we had new guys in new spots,” Calipari said. “I’m more locked into our team than who we are playing. We are starting to figure out how we have to play.”

Arkansas will rely heavily on Thiero and Jalen Graham to generate offense while leaning on a revamped rotation to compensate for Fland’s absence.

Key Matchups

Jalon Moore vs. Arkansas Defense: Moore’s scoring and rebounding will test Arkansas’ ability to defend in the paint and on the perimeter.

Ado Thiero’s Leadership: With Fland sidelined, Thiero’s ability to shoulder the offensive load will be critical for Arkansas’ success.

Bench Contributions: Both teams will need secondary scorers and rotational players to step up in what could be a tightly contested game.

Stakes

For Oklahoma, a second consecutive SEC win would solidify their growing confidence and help them gain ground in the standings. For Arkansas, a victory would provide crucial momentum as they adjust to life without their star freshman.

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Conclusion

Both the Sooners and Razorbacks are riding high after breaking their respective losing streaks, but only one will emerge victorious on Saturday. Oklahoma’s balanced attack, led by Jalon Moore, goes head-to-head with Arkansas’ evolving lineup and the leadership of Ado Thiero. This clash promises to be a hard-fought battle as both teams aim to establish consistency in the competitive SEC.