Lloyd Noble Arena – Norman, OK
Tip-off: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET
Line: Oklahoma -8, Total: 146

Almost exactly a year to the day since Wisconsin defeated Oklahoma in the finals of last season’s Battle 4 Atlantis Classic, the Sooners host the Badgers in Norman.

On November 28, 2014, then-No. 2 Wisconsin hoisted its first trophy of what would turn out to be a special season for coach Bo Ryan and the Badgers, defeating coach Lon Kruger’s Sooners in the Bahamas, 69-56 (covering at -8). The Sooners finished a very respectable season being ousted by Final Four bound Michigan State in the Sweet 16, while we all know that the Badgers would play until Championship Monday. For the rematch, 366 days later, No. 7 Oklahoma looks like it may have the championship-contender in this duo. Wisconsin entered the year in the top 25 as well, but has since fallen due to losing two games (Western Illinois and Georgetown) and for failing to look convincing in their four wins to date. To wit, the Badgers are 1-5 ATS, having been favored in all six of their contests thus far. This will be Wisconsin’s first true road game of the season, and the Badgers were 10-2 SU, 7-5 ATS, last season away from home. Wisconsin was also 2-0 SU & ATS in 2014-15. While Oklahoma most recently has trampled McNeese State and Incarnate Word by 29 and 33 points, respectively, we got a look at the Sooners being tested when they edged by Memphis on a neutral floor, 84-78, in their first game this season. The Sooners covered at -4 over the Tigers on Nov. 17.

Can Oklahoma win comfortably on Sunday afternoon? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2015-16 season.

We’ve come to expect consistency, valuing possessions, stifling defense, and a team always playing to it’s utmost potential from Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin Badgers, historically. Given how this season has started, a shocking home loss to Western Illinois; a poor effort against Georgetown to lose by double-figures, allowing Prairie View A&M to shoot 50% FG and 70% 3PT in the Kohl Center, it’s fair to wonder if this version of the Badgers just doesn’t have the edge and tenacity that their predecessors did? Leading the way is supposed to be F Nigel Hayes (14 PPG, 4.2 APG). Hayes had 10 points and 7 rebounds in last season’s win over the Sooners, but the muscular 6’8” 240lb forward has yet to grab 7 rebounds in a game all season in 2015-16. Maybe the added defensive attention due to the departure of stars Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker has gotten to Hayes, but the preseason All-B1G pick has flat-out underperformed. Shooting just shy of 39% from the field, Hayes is floating around the perimeter and has been (unsuccessfully) trying to recreate his magic from behind the arc in the 2015 NCAA tournament (30% 3PT in 2015-16, 0-5 3PT vs Prairie View A&M). Keeping Wisconsin afloat offensively has been G Bronson Koenig (17.3 PPG, 50% FG, 42% 3PT), although Koenig has also seen his playmaking ability stunted with more defensive pressure (1.7 TO/G is double his average in 2014-15). After a slow start, F Ethan Happ (10.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG) has finally delivered on the preseason promise hinted at by Wisconsin backers as the redshirt freshman has scored double-figures in four straight and has averaged 9 rebounds per game over that span. For the Badgers to compete with the Sooners, though, it will all come down to a defensive 180 from Bo Ryan’s club. Oklahoma is one of the more potent offensive teams in the country, and the Badgers have allowed four of their first six opponents to shoot better than 50% from long distance.

The Sooners are led by one of the best perimeter players in the country, senior G Buddy Hield (25.3 PPG, 57% FG, 58% 3PT) who’s playing every bit like an All-American and possible player of the year candidate in the early going. There isn’t much Hield isn’t doing, albeit through three games: His scoring average is more than double the next highest teammate of his; and he single-handedly buried Memphis with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks, while sealing the game with four free throws late. While Hield is the star, Oklahoma boasts the type of squad that is seen rarer and rarer in college basketball today; an upperclassmen-led high-major top 10 team. Senior F Ryan Spangler (10.7 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 58% FG), junior G Jordan Woodard (11.3 PPG, 4 APG) and senior G Isaiah Cousins (12 PPG, 3.3 APG) all provide experienced support to Hield’s star turn in the Sooners’ starting five. Woodard, in particular, has really found his footing in what looks like a breakout season. After a sophomore swoon last season where most of his averages dipped, Woodard is back to being the perfect floor general, knocking down open shots, taking care of the ball (4:1 A:TO), and being a cool customer from the line 81% FT for his career (perfect on five attempts this season). While most of the country knows Oklahoma can score, coach Kruger can also now rely on a defense that looks very promising, holding opponents to sub-35% FG and sub-25% 3PT on the young season. Wisconsin looks to test those small-sample-sized defensive stats on Sunday evening in a game that could turn around the Badgers season if the Sooners take their foot off the gas.