Last time out No.3 Oklahoma lost only for the second time all season when they fell to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday (Feb. 21). However, losing the game isn't all the Sooners lost as their best player, sophomore power forward Blake Griffin went down to inury. The Sooners strong man is expected to miss at least Monday's Kansas game. So the question on gamblers minds is; how will the short handed Sooners handle the Jayhawks in this 9 p.m. ET ESPN televised game?
Blake Griffin [pictured] will miss tonights game with Kansas due to a concussion.
Oklahoma is favored by 4-points over Kansas according to sports odds professionals at online sportsbook SBGglobal.com with a 147 total. The Sooners are also -185 favorites on the SBGglobal moneyline while Kansas backers are getting +165 ML odds.
After visiting with Oklahoma's medical staff early this afternoon, Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said that Griffin, who leads the Big 12 in scoring and leads the nation in rebounding, is still recovering from a concussion sustained in Saturday's game at Texas. Griffin's return to action is not known.
Griffin is averaging 22.0 points and 13.8 rebounds while shooting a Big 12-best .632 from the field. He also leads the country with 22 double-doubles.
The 6-10, 251-pounder from Oklahoma City played just 11 minutes Saturday at Texas.
Tonight's matchup in Norman will give the winner sole possession of first place in the Big 12 race with three games remaining in the regular season. Oklahoma is 25-2 overall, 11-1 in conference play and is ranked No. 3 in both major polls. Kansas is 22-5, 11-1 and ranked 15th in both polls.
Sports-Odds.com predicts Oklahoma will have trouble filling the vacuum caused by the departure of Griffin. Look for the Jayhawks to battle hard keeping the score close. The Pick: KU +4 ATS.
