Bedlam Basketball: Players Weigh In On In-State Rivalry

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State appear to be heading in opposite directions. The Sooners stand strong at 2-1 in the Big 12 and are ranked No. 2 in the nation while the Cowboys are 1-2 and coming off two 17-point road losses.

But it's Bedlam, so nothing should surprise anyone.

"It's always tough, in-state rivalry, going to their place; road games are always tough,” said OU forward Ryan Spangler. “They'll be ready to play us. They're going to give us everything they can to beat us.”

OSU’s Leyton Hammonds says players have to experience the rivalry for themselves to really know the intensity.

“When the senior and junior[s] were telling me my freshman year, I was like ‘yeah, whatever, it's just a regular game,’” he explained. “But as soon as I stepped on the floor, the atmosphere, the fans, both teams, it's like war honestly. I can see why they call it Bedlam."

OU's Buddy Hield is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week, so it will be interesting to see how many Sooner fans find their way into the building.

Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.