Game Primer: How to Watch, Key Players and Important Information for Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas Jayhawks

Here is everything you need to know for today's game.

The Kansas Jayhawks have struggled recently, picking up some important wins against the bottom of the conference while falling in some key spots against the top of the conference. Today is an opportunity to get that turned around, as the Oklahoma Sooners come to town looking to stay atop the conference standings.

The Sooners lead the all-time series 46-34, and have won the last two. But these teams have split the season series the last four years, and a win for Kansas today would do the same for this season.

Before today's important matchup, here are the essentials:

The Numbers

Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are provided by CBB Analytics. CBB Analytics is a new stats website in college hoops, covering both men and women's basketball in D-I, D-II and D-III. You can follow them on Twitter @CBBAnalytics

Kansas: 16-8 (6-7 Big 12): CBB Analytics Net Rating - 47th overall, 71st offense, 46th defense

#15 Oklahoma: 21-4 (11-3 Big 12): Net Rating - 50th overall, 12th offense, 230th defense

Line: KU -1.5

O/U: 160.5

How to Watch

Sunday, February 19th, 2:00 p.m. CST

Lawrence, KS: Allen Fieldhouse

TV: Big 12 Now on ESPN+

- Josh Klingler (Play-by-Play), Jill Dorsey-Hall (Analyst)

Radio: IMG Jayhawk Radio Network

- Steven Davis (Play-by-Play), David Lawrence (Analyst)

Webcast: Kansas Online Radio

Game Coverage

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Opponent Team Form

Not much has changed for the Sooners since the last time these two teams played, especially offensively. They are still one of the fastest and most prolific offenses in the nation, and they have been able to run away from most teams in their wins. They have two losses since then, on the road against both Texas and Iowa State. Both of those games featured physical teams that were both able to slow down the Oklahoma offense and put up points of their own.

Defensively, this team has struggled against any team with offensive capability. They don't force a lot of turnovers, they foul often, and opponents make a good percentage of their shots. The only thing that Oklahoma does really well is preventing offensive rebounds.

Players to Watch

Not much has changed for the main contributors for the Sooners. The leading scorer is senior forward Madi Williams, who scores 16.0 points per game on just 11.9 shots. Joining her on the inside is senior forward Liz Scott, who has upped her averages to 8.6 points per game and 6.2 rebounds. It will be interesting to see just how much she is able to dictate the pace inside.

Out on the perimeter, Ana Llanusa leads the Sooners with 12.8 points per game. Her shooting percentage has gone down to 47.7% on the season. Taylor Robertson is still the main three-point threat, hitting 43.9% of her attempts, and Nevaeh Tot still averages 4.0 assists per game, one of the best averages in the country.

Matchups to Watch

In the last game, the Jayhawks did a really good job defensively in the first half, as Taiyanna Jackson shut down a lot of attempts to drive into the lane and was extremely active on the boards. The perimeter did a good job defensively in the first half too, but ultimately the Kansas offense couldn't get enough going to take advantage, and the Sooners were able to pull away.

This time, Chandler Prater will be available instead of Ioanna Chatzileonti. Prater has been a spark plug for this team and provide a mismatch in multiple positions. How Brandon Schneider uses her to create opportunities across the floor will determine how this game goes.

Prediction

Ultimately, the Jayhawks are looking to stay in the middle of the conference and preserve a decent seed in the NCAA Tournament. Prater is the big difference this time, and the Kansas defense has been much better at home than on the road. Plus Jackson has been much better offensively of late, and the emergence of Wyvette Mayberry has been a huge help, something they didn't have in the first meeting. Kansas is favored, and I think they pull this one out.

Kansas 87, Oklahoma 83.

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