Five Things to Watch: OU vs. Missouri

Feb. 10, 2012

By Andrew Gilman | SoonerSports.com

NORMAN, Okla. -- Five things to watch when the Sooners take on Missouri, Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Lloyd Noble Center:

1. McFarland Makes Return to Lloyd Noble Center
Junior forward Joanna McFarland missed six games with a broken jaw, suffered during the Oklahoma State game five weeks ago. She returned to action Monday against Baylor, but has since had her first full practices and will be playing at home for the first time since Jan. 11. Until her injury, McFarland was averaged 11.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 69 percent 3-point shooting in Big 12 play.

2. Avoid the Trap Game
The Sooners are 15-7 overall and 7-4 in the Big 12, playing for NCAA positioning as they host the first and second rounds. Meanwhile, Missouri comes in winless in conference play at 0-11 and 10-12 overall. With a game coming up against No. 3 Connecticut, the Sooners need to stay sharp. That means playing well in preparation for Pack the Place Pink night in front of national audience on ESPN2 Monday, Feb. 13.

3. Cutting Down Turnovers
OU is averaging 18 turnovers, while opponents are giving the ball up 17.7 times. Figure that the Sooners better be working on holding onto the ball as they'll need to be near perfect as they face Big 12 foes a second time through. OU's lost home game, an 80-71 win over Oklahoma State, produced a 21-to-8 assist-to-turnover figure.

4. Griffin a Defensive Force
Center Nicole Griffin is having an historic season. She has 44 blocks this year and is averaging two per game. The sophomore is No. 9 all-time on the career list at Oklahoma with 69 and she's No. 9 on the single-season list at OU, behind only two players -- Courtney Paris and LaNae Jones -- who have the top eight single seasons.

5. Even the Score Before the Tigers Leap
Unless OU and Missouri meet in the Big 12 tournament, this may be the last time the schools face each other. Missouri is headed to the SEC next season. OU defeated Missouri earlier this year 62-59 and a win Saturday would even the all-time series at 29-29.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors