Oklahoma (10-3, 1-0) started Big 12 play on the right foot by beating Kansas State (7-6, 1-0) 66-61.
The Sooners played their second half of basketball of the season, playing complimentary ball and showing great effort on both ends of the court.
Here are three reasons why Oklahoma beat Kansas State.
WILDCAT FOUL TROUBLE
Oklahoma capitalized on Kansas State’s over-aggressiveness, drawing fouls early and often to start both halves. The Sooners were in the bonus with 12:56 left in the second half. Oklahoma attacked on and off the ball, making the Wildcats pick up fouls left and right. The Sooners capitalized at the line, shooting 23-29 to Kansas State’s 5-9.
WINNING UGLY
Both teams struggled to make shots but it could be chalked up more to good defense rather than bad offense. Oklahoma showed they could win ugly against UCF, pulling out a 53-52 win. But conference play is different and the Sooners rang the bell. Defensively De’Vion Harmon and Jamal Bieniemy both locked down their assignments and were nuisances all afternoon.
IN THE ZONE
Lon Kruger switched to a 2-3 or 3-2 zone inside the last five minutes of the game to throw the Wildcats off their pace. Bruce Weber’s squad was given fits with the defensive switch up, going scoreless over the last 3:45.
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