Oklahoma vs Iowa Prediction & Picks: Sooners, Hawkeyes Set for San Diego Semifinal Showdown

While it isn’t a matchup between ranked teams, one of the most intriguing matchups on the Thanksgiving Day college basketball schedule is a semifinal showdown between Oklahoma and Iowa at the inaugural Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego (3:00 pm ET, FS1).

After missing out on March Madness in Porter Moser’s first two seasons in Norman, the Sooners (4-0) are aiming to be in the field of 68 this season, but at ESPN, they are currently on the “First Four Out” line.

Joining them on that line, along with Texas Tech and Boise State, is Iowa, who is looking for a fifth straight March Madness appearance.

Bet on Oklahoma vs Iowa and More at BetDSI

The Hawkeyes (3-1) fell at Creighton last week, but they have a chance to pick up a couple of quality non-conference wins with OU on the menu today and either Seton Hall or USC tomorrow, as well as a trip to Iowa State on December 7 (7:30 pm ET, ESPNU).

Both of these teams have been prolific in the points department thus far this season, but will that be the case in this afternoon’s contest at LionTree Arena?

Oklahoma vs Iowa Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• Oklahoma -1 (-105)
• Iowa +1 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 159 (-105)
• Under 159 (-115)

Oklahoma vs Iowa Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Iowa to win

Picks: Iowa +1 (-115 at Bovada) & Ben Krikke over 17.5 points (-120 at Bovada)

In Moser’s first two seasons at Oklahoma, the Sooners were 287th and 285th in tempo and 227th and 238th in average offensive possession length.

Are things going to be a bit different this season? Through the first four games this season, they are only 161st in tempo, but they are 23rd in average offensive possession length.

Oklahoma is doing a pretty solid of making the most of those possessions as well, as they are averaging 88.5 points per game and shooting 51.0% from the field, including 62.5% on two-point shots.

Top Players for Oklahoma

• Otega Oweh: 15.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.3 SPG
• Javian McCollum: 12.0 PPG, 2.5 APG
• John Hugley IV: 11.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG
• Le’Tre Darthard: 10.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG

But that came against Central Michigan (89-59), Mississippi Valley State (82-43), Texas State (93-54), and UT-Rio Grand Valley (90-66), who are 304th, 362nd, 224th, and 297th at KenPom.

So, this contest is a little bit different in terms of the challenge ahead on both ends of the court.

There aren’t too many teams that play faster than the Hawkeyes, so it will be interesting to see if the Sooners try to keep up, or if they will aim to limit how many possessions Iowa has to work with.

Considering that the Hawkeyes are averaging 68.8 shots per game and connecting on 49.1% of those shots, Oklahoma might be better off trying to do the latter, because trying to outscore Iowa is not an easy feat.

Top Players for Iowa

• Ben Krikke: 20.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.0 SPG
• Patrick McCaffery: 14.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG
• Payton Sandfort: 14.0 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.8 APG
• Tony Perkins: 12.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG

Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Hawkeyes are 56-9 SU and 45-20 ATS when scoring 80+ points.

By comparison, the Sooners are 0-8 SU and 2-6 ATS when allowing 80+ points during Moser’s tenure. If you expand that to allowing 70+ points, Oklahoma is 4-21 SU and 7-18 ATS when allowing 70+ points in Moser’s tenure.

A new season might bring new results, but between these two teams, Iowa is the one who has had an actual test thus far, and while things did get away from them somewhat in the second half, they held their own for a good chunk of the game on the road against one of the best teams in the country in Creighton.

So, I feel pretty good about backing Iowa here, as well as another productive performance for Krikke. The Valparaiso transfer has scored 18+ points three times in his first four games with the Hawkeyes, including a season-high 25 last time out against Arkansas State.

Where to Bet on College Basketball

If you are looking for college basketball odds, you will always be spoiled for choice. Sports betting sites all over the internet offer a vast array of NCAA basketball odds throughout the season, from the opening tip in November to the conclusion of the season in early April.

Along with being able to bet on countless games, many online sportsbooks offer men’s college basketball national championship odds, women’s college basketball national championship odds, men’s Wooden Award odds, women’s Wooden Award odds, and odds on who will win early season and conference tournaments.

Below are some of the books that we highly recommend for college basketball betting:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• Bovada
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

Other College Basketball Content

• College Basketball Betting Guide
• Men’s Wooden Award Winner Odds
• Women’s Wooden Award Winner Odds