Story by
Oklahoma women's basketball vs. Baylor: Score prediction, scouting report for Big 12 game
- Story by
- Oklahoma women's basketball vs. Baylor: Score prediction, scouting report for Big 12 game
NORMAN — OU women's basketball is on a roll right now.
The Sooners have won eight consecutive games in Big 12 play to climb to the top of the conference standings and back into the rankings at No. 23.
Advertisement
OU's winning streak is its longest in conference play since winning 12 consecutive games in 2009.
The Sooners (17-6, 11-1 Big 12) look to continue their hot stretch at 6 p.m. Wednesday when they host No. 21 Baylor (18-5, 7-5) at Lloyd Noble Center.
Here's what to know about the matchup:
More: Why OU basketball's Sahara Williams left home instead of joining Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Sooners' offense showing signs of improvement
Even after beating then-No. 2 Kansas State on Jan. 31, there looked to be a healthy margin for growth for the Sooners, especially on the offensive end.
In their first nine games of conference play, the Sooners shot just 39.8% from the floor and 27.5% from beyond the arc.
Advertisement
But the Sooners have been trending in the right direction.
Over their last three games — wins over Oklahoma State , TCU and Iowa State — OU is shooting 47.2% from the field and 38.2% on 3-pointers.
Have the Sooners turned a corner?
"I don't know that there's a corner that's been turned but I do feel like we're putting each other in better positions," OU coach Jennie Baranczyk said. "This is going to be a great test for us tomorrow to do that. It's a high-pressure team, it's a fast team. So for us, that will be almost answered a little bit more after this week than other times."
Advertisement
Baranczyk said one of the biggest challenges Baylor's defense presents is its ball pressure.
"It's a whole different game plan," Baranczyk said. "They can even pick you up in the fullcourt a little bit."
Big 12 softball power rankings: OSU transfer Kelly Maxwell fitting in nicely for No. 1 OU
Nov 14, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Lady Bears guard Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (5) dribbles the ball up court against the Utah Utes during the first half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Point guard matchup could be key
One of the keys to the Sooners' offensive success recently has been point guard Nevaeh Tot.
Tot is coming off a 10-points, nine-rebounds performance in Saturday's win at Iowa State.
"I think Nevaeh Tot continues to take what defenses are giving her," Baranczyk said. "In some games, they're giving her some outside shooting and in some games they're not and so then she's making that next pass."
Advertisement
Baylor's Sarah Andrews has been one of the driving forces behind the Bears' success, averaging 11.3 points and 3.9 assists.
Andrews averaged 25 points per game against the Sooners last season.
"Their team has so much balance so her shot attempts aren't as high but she's such a great basketball player," Baranczyk said. "She's one that really can create her own opportunities. … She's somebody that you really have to have a mentality of help defense on because she's a hard one-on-one matchup."
More: How is Milos Uzan fueling OU basketball in Big 12 race? He's 'an absolute team player'
Oklahoma guard Nevaeh Tot (1) works up court in the third quarter during an NCAA basketball game between Oklahoma State (OSU) and University of Oklahoma (OU) at the Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater Okla., on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.
Play 4 Kay game
Wednesday is the Sooners' "Play4Kay" Pink Game, honoring longtime North Carolina State coach Kay Yow, female cancer survivors and others who have overcome breast cancer while raising money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Advertisement
"This … game has really become a staple for women's basketball," Baranczyk said. "This is our cause and it affects so many women, and of course men. Unfortunately, there's no one that I know that hasn't been impacted by this. Sometimes when you get to step outside of yourself and be able to play for a bigger cause and have gratitude for the fact you just get to play a game while other people are really battling something much bigger, including some really close to us, it provides some humility, it provides some grace, but also joy that you get to do something for someone and with someone."
OU-Baylor score prediction
OU 68, Baylor 64:In conference play, the Sooners are forcing 16.2 turnovers per game while the Bears are turning it over an average of 17.8 per game. If OU can maintain that — the Sooners are also leading the league with just 12.9 turnovers per game since Big 12 play began, they'll escape with their winning streak intact.
No. 23 Oklahoma vs. No. 21 Baylor
TIPOFF:6 p.m. at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman (ESPN+)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU women's basketball vs. Baylor: Score prediction, scouting report
