One of the most highly-anticipated games in the Big 12/SEC Challenge pits the nation's best player against the No.1 team in college basketball. Oklahoma managed to retain their top ranking in the polls with a nice win over the Baylor Bears. Now they will face the player predicted to be drafted No.1 overall in the NBA Draft this year as Ben Simmons leads the LSU Tigers against the Sooners.
The matchup against the Sooners and Tigers, two of the best players in college basketball will go head-to-head. Both Simmons and Buddy Hield are expected to be top picks in the draft this season, but first they will test their talent against one another. Hield was expected to depart last year for the NBA, but he decided to come back to Oklahoma, a decision that shocked many. He is currently averaging 17.4 points per game. He has improved greatly this year which has only improved his draft stock as his percentage from the floor is 53 percent overall.
While Heild is expected to be a high draft pick, Simmons is expected to be the first off the board. Many predicted Simmons was ready to go the NBA right out of high school, but age restrictions meant that he had to play one year in college and he picked LSU. The Tigers have won their last four of five games thanks to Simmons. He recently put up 22 points and 14 rebounds against Georgia.
The different between Hield and Simmons is that the Oklahoma star is surrounded by talent. He has help whereas Simmons is all the Tigers really have to go on. The Sooners have Jordan Woodard along with Isaiah Cousins and Ryan Spangler who are all averaging double-digit points per game.
"It's not going to be a Ben or Buddy one-on-one. It's going to be one of (these) particular schools," head coach Johnny Jones said, via ESPN.com. "Both of these guys are seasoned and have been in enough games and understand the big picture. They will both play the same and at a high level in terms of competing. It's going to be a hard-fought team effort, not an individual."
The Tigers might be playing well in the SEC, but it will be a tall task for Simmons to carry the team against the No.1 team in the nation. The Sooners have been dominating, only slipping once. They have the confidence heading into the game, but it will be a fun showing between two top players.