Oklahoma Sooners vs Prairie View A&m Panthers Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

No. 12 Oklahoma Looks to Stay Perfect Against Prairie View A&M

The unbeaten Oklahoma Sooners aim to keep their hot streak alive as they host Prairie View A&M in their final non-conference game on Sunday in Norman, Okla. Riding high with a 12-0 record, the Sooners are eyeing a flawless entry into Big 12 play.

Sooners Soaring to New Heights

Oklahoma is off to its best start since the 2015-16 season, a campaign that culminated in a Final Four appearance. Head coach Porter Moser has instilled a team-first mentality that emphasizes defensive toughness, unselfishness, and high-effort play.

“Our character is togetherness, toughness, spacing, and playing the right way,” Moser said. “Defensively, we want five guys trying to stop the ball.”

Key to this success has been the emergence of freshman phenom Jeremiah Fears, who averages a team-high 18 points per game. Fears, a reclassified freshman, has shone brightly in pivotal moments. His four-point play in the final seconds against then-No. 24 Michigan at the Jumpman Invitational lifted Oklahoma to an 87-86 victory in one of their most thrilling games of the season.

In addition to Fears, the Sooners boast depth in the backcourt. Duke Miles (12.1 points per game) and Kobe Elvis (9.8 points per game) have delivered standout performances. Moser lauds the trio for their scoring versatility and defensive prowess, particularly highlighting Miles’ aggressive energy on defense.

Oklahoma’s fast-paced style has added another dimension to their game.

“We want to run,” Moser said. “We have two athletic guys leading the break. I can teach a lot, but I can’t teach the underhand lob from the elbow for a dunk.”

Prairie View A&M’s Defensive Struggles

Prairie View A&M (1-11) faces a daunting challenge as the nation’s lowest-ranked defense. The Panthers allow 94.2 points per game, with opponents shooting an alarming 53 percent from the field.

After an opening-night victory against the College of Biblical Studies, the Panthers have dropped 11 straight games—all on the road. Their latest loss came in a 64-46 defeat at Rice, despite holding a halftime lead.

Nick Anderson has been the lone bright spot for Prairie View A&M. The sophomore guard averages 18.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Anderson posted 18 points and 10 rebounds against Rice, but he will need even more help to keep the Panthers competitive against a formidable Oklahoma team.

What to Watch

1. Oklahoma’s Tempo vs. Prairie View A&M’s Defense: The Sooners’ high-octane transition game could overwhelm a Prairie View A&M team that struggles to contain opposing offenses.
2. Jeremiah Fears’ Continued Dominance: Fears has proven clutch in big moments, and this matchup offers an opportunity to pad his stats before conference play.
3. Nick Anderson vs. Oklahoma’s Defense: Anderson has been Prairie View A&M’s lone consistent scorer. He will need a herculean effort to make this a competitive game.

Who will cut down the nets? Find out in College Basketball Championship Odds!

Prediction

With Prairie View A&M’s porous defense facing one of the country’s most dynamic offenses, this matchup is heavily tilted in Oklahoma’s favor. The Sooners’ depth and fast pace should prove too much for the Panthers to handle.

Final Score: Oklahoma 98, Prairie View A&M 57