OU basketball vs Georgia Tech in the SEC/ACC Challenge: Prediction, picks, injury updates

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NORMAN — OU men’s basketball is fresh off its Battle 4 Atlantis tournament win and has another tough stretch ahead.

The No. 21 Sooners (7-0) host Georgia Tech (4-3) on Tuesday (8 p.m., ESPNU) in the SEC/ACC Challenge. OU defeated Providence, Arizona and Louisville last week in the Bahamas.

Here is what to know about the matchup:

More: SEC basketball power rankings: Alabama, Arkansas fall as Auburn maintains top spot

Freshman phenom Jeremiah Fears breaking out

True freshman guard Jeremiah Fears was named to the Battle 4 Atlantis all-tournament team, averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game during the event.

Fears ranks 25th nationally in steals per game (2.6) and 26th in steals (18).

With his performance in the Bahamas, Fears was named the SEC Freshman of the Week by the conference on Monday. He started all three games in the event, including OU’s win over Arizona when he scored a season-high 26 points with four 3-pointers, five rebounds and five assists.

Fears shot 42.4% from the field and 50% from 3 during the tournament.

More: Big 12 basketball power rankings: West Virginia rising behind Tucker DeVries, Javon Small

How OU compares nationally

The Sooners rank in the top 25 in three categories nationally.

OU is 11th in steals per game, 22nd in 3-point percentage and 23rd in free throw percentage.

Following its 7-0 start, the Sooners are ranked No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches and AP Polls.

OU ranks No. 37 in the NCAA’s first NET rankings of the season released Monday. The Sooners rank eighth among SEC teams with seven of the conference’s teams landing in the top 30.

However, head coach Porter Moser’s team is 14th in Wins Above Bubble and recorded a Quad 1 win with its victory over Louisville. This is the first season the NCAA selection committee will take WAB into consideration.

Familiar faces battle

Forward Jalon Moore, who took home the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament MVP, began his career at Georgia Tech. Yellow Jackets guard Javian McCollum transferred…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ou-basketball-vs-georgia-tech-120427764.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-12-03 12:04:00

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