Missouri at Oklahoma 2012 College Basketball Picks: The Missouri Tigers, ranked 4th in both AP and ESPN/USA-Today Coaches men’s college basketball polls, travel to Norman, Oklahoma Monday for a Big 12 Conference clash with the Oklahoma Sooners. The Tigers are currently tied for first in the league with Kansas and Baylor. Mizzou, coming off a 74-71 victory over Kansas on Saturday, look to extend OU’s two game losing streak, last falling to Iowa State at home on Saturday. Monday’s game will be televised on ESPNU with a start-up time of 7 pm ET.
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook TopBet.com lists Missouri as 5-chalk favorite ATS and by -200 on the College Basketball Odds offshore moneyline. Oklahoma backers wagering for a SU upset victory are getting +170 moneyline odds ($100 wager to win $170).
Missouri is 21-2 overall and tied with Baylor and Kansas for first place in the Big 12 at 8-2. The Tigers are coming off a 74-71 home win over eighth-ranked Kansas on Saturday, scoring the game’s final 11 points over the last two minutes. Missouri ranks fourth in the country in field goal percentage (.499), No. 5 in free throw percentage (.774), No. 7 in scoring (80.9 ppg), No. 9 in steals (9.1 spg) and No. 38 in 3-point field goal percentage (.382).
Missouri is led by the senior guard duo of Marcus Denmon and Kim English. Denmon, who went 6-for-9 from 3-point range and tallied 29 points and nine rebounds versus Kansas, averages 17.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting .394 from 3-point range and .899 from the free throw line. He ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring and second in 3-pointers per game (2.7). English averages 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting .509 from the field and a Big 12-best .482 from 3-point range.
Oklahoma is the only school in the Big 12 with three players ranked in the top 15 in scoring in league play. Steven Pledger averages 16.6 points a game (ranks seventh) and is followed by Andrew Fitzgerald (14.9; ranks 10th) and Romero Osby (14.5; 12th). The trio has combined for 457 of the team’s 656 points (70 percent) in conference play.
The 2011-12 College Basketball Season is now in full swing as schools have begun the battle for conference championships in pursuit of March Madness. College sports handicapper Reno Gold will be making College Basketball Odds picks through all of March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. The good news for college sports bettors – RENO’S PICKS ARE FREE. Check daily for Reno Gold’s opinion on all the top games each week for free. We also encourage you to sign up to get Free NCAA Basketball Picks now!
