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It’s do-or-die time for Oklahoma and Texas in the quest for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid when the long-time rivals square off on Saturday in their regular-season finale in Austin, Texas.

Both the Sooners (18-12, 5-12 Southeastern Conference) and Longhorns (17-13, 6-11) are considered on the bubble for participation in the NCAAs. Each will look to a final win to boost its resume prior to the gauntlet that will be the SEC tournament next week in Nashville.

Oklahoma heads to Austin after a rousing 96-84 home win over No. 15 Missouri on Wednesday. Jeremiah Fears scored a career-high 31 points that included a 12-for-12 showing from the free-throw line in the victory. Sam Godwin and Mohamed Wague added 12 points apiece and Jalon Moore hit for 11 points.

Godwin logged all of his points before halftime as he sat out the second half with a right knee injury. By that time, the Sooners had a 13-point lead and were able to hold on despite a shooting swoon in the middle of the second half.

“It was very big to see our team come out and actually lock in defensively, be connected, communicate and be resilient,” Moore said. “I congratulate my teammates for that, for continuing to stay with each other, regardless of what it was. And we got the W.”

Texas also comes into the Saturday game off a big result, having snapped a three-game losing streak via an 87-82 overtime road victory against No. 25 Mississippi State on Tuesday.

Tramon Mark scored 24 points, including two key late free throws, to pace the Longhorns. Tre Johnson hit for 23, Arthur Kaluma amassed 10 points and 11 rebounds and Kadin Shedrick added 10 points in the win.

The Longhorns were up by nine points with 3:52 to play before Mississippi State rallied to send the contest to an extra period. Texas never trailed in OT and finished off a game it desperately needed to increase its stock.

Texas should be boosted on Saturday by the return of guard Chendall Weaver, who has been out since early January with a hip injury. Texas is 6-9 since Weaver was injured.

“The thing Chendall brings to the table is his effort, and energy is contagious,” Texas coach Rodney Terry said. “When you saw our team play early in the year, when he was on the floor, that dude is the difference in winning. He just makes winning plays. He makes other guys on the floor play harder defensively.

“When you talk about making those types of plays, it changes your team. It’s a big piece that you miss. We talk about winning time, Chendall Weaver is in at winning time making winning plays.”

Oklahoma leads the all-time series with the Longhorns 57-49 but Texas has won eight in a row and nine of the past 10 dustups with the Sooners. The Longhorns won 77-73 in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15.

–Field Level Media