Oklahoma is gearing up for a pivotal showdown against No. 21 Mississippi State at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday, desperately trying to snap a brutal five-game losing streak. With a brutal schedule that’s seen them face six ranked opponents in the past seven games, the Sooners (16-10, 3-10) are looking for the spark to turn the tide. Meanwhile, Mississippi State (19-7, 7-6) is riding high after back-to-back wins over No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 24 Ole Miss.
This showdown marks the second time in OU history they’ve faced seven ranked teams in an eight-game stretch. Could a stunning upset be on the horizon? With upcoming games against No. 17 Kentucky, No. 24 Ole Miss, and No. 15 Missouri, Oklahoma could set an all-time record for games against ranked teams — if they can break their losing skid first!
Game Details:
Matchup: Oklahoma vs. No. 21 Mississippi State
Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 22 | Noon CT
Channel: SEC Network
Spread: Mississippi State -1.5
Oklahoma has struggled against the Bulldogs historically, holding a 1-3 all-time record. However, the Sooners snagged their only win over Mississippi State in the 2019-20 Big 12/SEC Challenge, with a thrilling 63-62 victory. The Bulldogs will be hungry to avenge that loss!
Oklahoma’s Key Players:
Jalon Moore – Leading scorer with 17 points per game
Jeremiah Fears – Freshman sensation, averaging 15.5 points per game
The Sooners’ shooting consistency, particularly from beyond the arc, will be the key to breaking this slump.
Mississippi State’s Key Players:
Josh Hubbard – Sophomore guard, averaging 18.2 points per game (4th in SEC)
Mississippi State thrives on defense, averaging 9.5 steals per game (14th in the nation).
Oklahoma’s turnovers have been a major problem this season, and they’ll need to tighten up against Mississippi State’s aggressive defense. With the Bulldogs boasting an impressive 43-6 record over the past three seasons when leading at halftime, the Sooners must stay strong throughout the game.
Prediction:
Oklahoma might be down, but don’t count them out just yet! With one more explosive performance in them, the Sooners will turn things around in the second half, making a dramatic run to secure a vital win and halt their losing streak. Can they pull off the upset? Tune in Saturday to find out!
