The six-game gauntlet to open Big 12 play for the Bearcats is approaching its final third. But truthfully, the six-game opening gauntlet is just one gauntlet within the overall gauntlet that is the Big 12. Conquer this league, and you can go far come March.
Oklahoma? It’s just another game, right? True. Another BIG game at that. Every game is going to be like that from here on out. And one thing you can count on, as you can in every game, is intensity like you might experience during a Second Round NCAA Tournament game, or a Sweet 16 game, or an Elite 8 game. Heck, even a Final Four game. With that, here are my players to watch Saturday afternoon as the Bearcats take on Oklahoma.
1. #2 Javian McCollum, 6’2″, 190 lbs., Jr., G, Fort Myers, Fla., Siena Transfer
14.9 ppg, 45.9 FG%, 39% 3-PT FG, 36-39 FT, 68 ast.-41 TO, 30.8 mpg
McCollum is in his first season with the Sooners after spending his first two seasons at Siena. The Sooners’ leading scorer, McCollum has scored in double figures in all but two games so far this season. He’s crossed 20 points twice this season and has two 17-point games in Big 12 play. McCollum is also second on the team in assists, and he has dished out five or more assists five times this season including three times in conference play. As McCollum has improved his field goal percentage, he’s also increased his minutes per game. After five straight games shooting under 50 percent, McCollum has shot 50 percent or better in five of his last six games while playing 33.1 minutes per game in those contests.
2. #3 Otega Oweh, 6’5″, 215 lbs., So., G, Newark, N.J.
14.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 55.6 FG%, 15-25 3-PT FG, 70.8 FT%, 18 ast.-31 TO, 33 stl, 26.5 mpg
Oweh is in his second season at Oklahoma and is third on the team in field goal percentage among qualified players. He’s scored in double figures in 14 of 17 games this season including three 20-point games. But keep an eye on these two things Saturday afternoon: Oweh has 11 games where he has more turnovers than assists and he has four straight games shooting under 50 percent. The latter suggests his field goal percentage could be even higher if not for his recent shooting slump. Fun fact: Oweh’s older brother, Odafe, is a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.
