Two of the original Jordan Brand programs face off in the aptly-named Jumpman Invitational. Undefeated Oklahoma takes on 8-2 Michigan. Wednesday will yield either the Sooners’ most impressive win to date or a statement on the Wolverines’ tenacity.
How to watch No. 14 Oklahoma vs. No. 24 Michigan
Venue: Spectrum Center — Charlotte
Time: 9 p.m. ET Wednesday
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Oklahoma is 10-0, winning each of its last three games by 15 or more points. Porter Moser’s group looked sharp in last weekend’s intrastate duel against Oklahoma State, with all five starters scoring in double figures. But the Sooners’ best early season win, against then-No. 24 Arizona, has lost some luster with the Wildcats wilting to a 4-5 record.
Jalon Moore is getting buckets. He is the Sooners’ leading scorer and has the lowest turnover rate on the team among players with at least 200 minutes played. Moore got some national shine last season for his consecutive authoritative dunks against Texas, but his senior season has revealed a well-rounded two-way college player.
Jeremiah Fears is just a freshman, but his feel for the game is already apparent. He gets downhill and has a supremely fun bag of dribble moves. If he can cut down on the turnovers (3.8 per game), he’s could have an NBA ceiling.
This is nasty by Jeremiah Fears. Tight handle, composure in traffic, looks off defenders, unbothered by physicality. He’s been pretty special so far this year. pic.twitter.com/BiWFE8JFdc
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) December 17, 2024
Michigan is actually 14 spots ahead of Oklahoma in KenPom rating. Its two losses this year were each by just two points, and it scooped a signature road win at Wisconsin two weeks ago. It should be interesting to see how Dusty May’s team responds to its last outing — falling on the short end of an 89-87 stinger with Arkansas at Madison Square Garden.
Opponents shoot a paltry 43.3 percent on 2-pointers against Michigan, and are just 30.1 percent on 3s. The Wolverines also lead the Big Ten in total rebounding and blocks.
The offense is considerably balanced. All five starters (three juniors and two seniors) take between 6.4 and 9.4 shots per game, and four guys average at least 11.8 points. Russian 7-foot senior Vladislav Goldin is fleet-footed around the paint. Goldin transferred from Florida Atlantic this season and was a starter on the Owls’ Final Four run two years ago.
Memorable matchups: These programs split a pair of March meetings in the 2000s. Second-seeded Oklahoma won the big one — a second-round NCAA Tournament game against Michigan in 2009. Blake Griffin put up a herculean 33 points and 17 rebounds. The Wolverines beat the Sooners in the 2004 NIT. Dion Harris led all scorers with 17.
Oklahoma vs. Michigan odds
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(Photo of Vladislav Goldin: Luke Hales / Getty Images)
