NORMAN, Okla. — Laughter echoed through the empty seats of the Lloyd Noble Center as Oklahoma had a final practice on Monday to tune-up for No. 1 Baylor tonight.
If you did not know this team suffered their second loss to Kansas on the season and had to play the top-ranked team in the nation tonight, you would not get the notion that the Sooners are stressed about this part of the season.
“Spirits are high,” said Kristian Doolittle after Monday’s practice. “We’ve already gotten over the Kansas game,”
De’Vion Harmon was emotional during the team practice, flipping over a courtside chair out of frustration during a drill. The frustration was shortlived, however, as Harmon was back encouraging and joking around with his teammates.
“Our challenge to them is to get better each day,” said head coach Lon Kruger. “You can’t worry about the conference standings, can’t worry about your résumé for at-large (bids), you have to worry about getting better. And if we do that, then we’ll be good enough,”
The Sooners have gotten better as the season has progressed. Although their record may not indicate it, Oklahoma is currently 6-6 in Big 12 play, good for fifth in the conference. With odd road losses to Kansas State and Iowa State, the Sooners have held their own against the upper half of the Big 12.
So far this season, Oklahoma’s marquee win came against then-ranked No. 13 West Virginia in Norman. On the road, Kruger’s crew has hanged tough with Texas Tech, Kansas, and took Baylor to the wire in a 61-57 loss.
Boasting an 11-1 record at home, Oklahoma is excited for an opportunity to run it back against the No. 1 team in the nation.
“It’s an opportunity tomorrow to play the number one team in the country, so if you’re not happy about that, you probably shouldn’t be playing basketball,” Austin Reaves said following Monday’s practice.
From the looks of their practice on Monday, Oklahoma seems relaxed, yet focused. Their laughter and camaraderie in an empty Lloyd Noble Center will turn to focus and determination as the seats begin to fill tonight.
Oklahoma and No. 1 Baylor are set to tip-off at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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