Texas Basketball: 3 bold predictions in finale vs. OU
Texas basketball (19-11, 8-9 Big 12) and head coach Rodney Terry are looking for a third consecutive regular season series sweep of the Oklahoma Sooners (20-10, 8-9 Big 12). Texas will look for its seventh straight win against Oklahoma when it hosts the Sooners at the Moody Center in Austin on March 9 in the regular season finale.
Texas basketball battles OU during the regular season for the final time in the Big 12
The Longhorns got the best of the Sooners in the first meeting between these two teams in Big 12 play. Texas topped No. 11 Oklahoma by 15 points in a convincing win at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman on Jan. 23.
Oklahoma hasn't quite been the same team under head coach Porter Moser since the loss to Texas that it was earlier in the season. After winning 15 of the season's first 18 games, the Sooners have dropped six of its last 11 in Big 12 play.
But that's what the Big 12 does to many good to great teams during conference play. The nation's top conference in college hoops has many top-25 caliber teams that are in the middle to the lower half of the Big 12 standings this year.
Something else on the line in this matchup between Texas and Oklahoma is seeding in the Big 12 Tournament. The Longhorns and Sooners both hav eight wins in conference play, tied for eight place in the Big 12 standings entering the finale this weekend.
A win for the Longhorns would give them a top seven seed in the conference tournament, depending on how the other games around the Big 12 play out on March 9.
Here are three bold predictions in the regular season finale at the Moody Center between Texas and Oklahoma on March 9.
Dylan Disu scores 25 points, despite dealing with the lingering knee injury
In Texas's road loss in Waco on March 4 to the No. 11 Baylor Bears, senior big man Dylan Disu suffered a left knee sprain. Disu was taken back to the locker room without being able to put any weight on that knee. But he was later seen on the sideline for the Longhorns late in the second half without a brace on in the Baylor game.
Disu's health is a huge question mark for the Longhorns entering the regular season finale against Oklahoma. Inside Texas reported from Disu's media availability this week that he said he will be a "game-time decision" against Oklahoma on March 9.
Disu also mentioned that the stomach bug that he was dealing with entering the matchup against Baylor earlier this week is feeling better.
It's clear that this has been a tough week for Disu.
The fact that Disu said his knee is feeling better and he hasn't been in a brace all week is a pretty good sign, though. If Disu is able to go for the Longhorns against Oklahoma this weekend, Texas has a great shot of sweeping the regular season series.
Disu was tremendous for the Longhorns in the double-digit win over the Sooners a couple of months ago. He posted one of his two double-doubles on the season in the 75-60 win over Oklahoma on Jan. 23, including 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Oklahoma has struggled to defend the paint in Big 12 play. The Sooners have allowed 31.9 paint points per game in conference play, ranking 11th of 14 Big 12 teams.
Disu's multi-faceted scoring ability could damage the Oklahoma defense if he's good to start for the Longhorns in the finale this weekend.