Can Oklahoma Sooners Rebound at Fifth Third Arena?

As the Oklahoma Sooners prepare to face off against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can bounce back from recent performances. The Sooners have shown a mix of resilience and struggle in their past games, which could play a significant role in the upcoming clash.

In their last game against Southern University Jaguars, the Sooners fell short by nine points, finishing with 70 compared to the Jaguars' 79. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways such as a solid assist count of 17 and a rebound total that surpassed their opponents', indicating potential in ball distribution and control under the rim.

However, turnovers have been a thorn for Oklahoma; they recorded an alarming number of 27 against Southern University. This is an area that will need tightening up if they wish to improve upon their recent record.

The game prior was also challenging for the Sooners as they faced off against North Carolina Tar Heels. Scoring only 52 points to North Carolina's 61 highlighted issues in offensive efficiency – particularly from beyond the arc where they shot just four percent.

Despite these setbacks, there's room for optimism. Against UNLV Lady Rebels earlier in December, Oklahoma managed to put up a respectable fight scoring 76 points. Their assist-to-turnover ratio was more favorable at 1.22 and shooting percentages were stronger across both two-point range (55 percent) and field goals (44 percent).

As we look ahead to February 20th's matchup at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati – which fans can watch live – it will be crucial for Oklahoma to leverage its strengths while addressing weaknesses exposed in previous outings. Ball security and shooting accuracy remain focal points as they aim for success on foreign hardwood.