Oklahoma Looks to Tame No. 12 K-State in Manhattan

NORMAN – Oklahoma will seek its first 4-0 start in Big 12 play since 2014-15 when the Sooners (9-5, 3-0 Big 12) travel to Manhattan to face No. 12 Kansas State (15-1, 3-0 Big 12) on Wednesday night.

Tip is set for 6 p.m. ESPNU with Brenda VanLengen and Sheryl Swoopes calling the action. The game is the third of six nationally-televised tilts for the Sooners this season.

THE STARTING FIVE

Powering Oklahoma's offensive attack is its transition and bench play. OU scores 25% of its points in transition (3rd NCAA, 1st Big 12) and that number is fueled by the 19 turnovers that the Sooners force per game. The Sooners' bench scores 32 PPG (5th NCAA, 2nd Big 12), led by Aubrey Joens (11.4 PPG) and Reyna Scott (7.2 PPG) to keep the pressure on opposing defenses.
Oklahoma's defense is allowing just 59.7 PPG in conference play, good for second in the league behind only K-State's 45.0 PPG surrendered. OU's remarkable turnaround on the defensive end has been the catalyst to its fast start in league action as the Sooners have held three consecutive Big 12 teams to under 65 points for the first time of the Baranczyk era. OU's three-game stretch also features the first time of under its head coach that the Sooners have won three straight games by double digits in Big 12 play.
Since the Big 12 was launched in 1996, OU has been a stalwart of the league's women's basketball contingent. OU has won 11 Big 12 championships, reaching the NCAA Tournament 21 times since 1996, tied for second most in the league. All-time, Oklahoma has posted a 355-265 record vs. Big 12 teams.
Oklahoma's bench is one of the most productive in the country yet again. Baranczyk has played her entire bench in every game this season and the reserve unit is producing 32.1 points per game (5th NCAA).
OU's best defensive lineup comes when three bench players - Kiersten Johnson, Landry Allen and Kennady Tucker - are on the floor. A lineup with those three ranks in the 100th percentile in defensive rating (56.5 DRtg) and in the 99th percentile or better in defensive rebounding percentage (80%), steal percentage (17.8%), block percentage (22.2%). It's net rating of +56.5 (ORtg-DRtg) ranks third in the country among all eligible lineups

SERIES HISTORY

Wednesday's matchup is the 76th between Oklahoma and Kansas State. The Sooners hold a 45-30 advantage all-time, including an 18-16 lead in Manhattan.

The Sooners have won five of the last six meetings and swept the Cats last season, winning by 17 at K-State and by four in OT in Norman. Baranczyk is 4-2 vs. Jeff Mittie (4-1 at OU, 0-1 at Drake).

LAST TIME OUT

A late rush from the Oklahoma offense, powered by Sahara Williams' career day, led Oklahoma past Cincinnati, 77-64, at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday as OU remained unbeaten in conference play. The win extended Oklahoma's (9-5, 3-0 Big 12) winning streak to three games as the Sooners improved to 3-0 in the league for the first time since 2016-17. Williams scored a career-high 18 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, in Saturday's win over Cincinnati (8-6, 0-3).

UP NEXT

Oklahoma returns to Norman on Saturday when Texas Tech (13-3, 2-1 Big 12) comes to the Lloyd Noble Center. The game tips at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

Baranczyk is 3-1 vs. the Lady Raiders and OU swept TTU last season.