Tag: Alondes Williams

Final BetMGM odds for Oklahoma-West Virginia hoops on Saturday

On Saturday the Oklahoma Sooners will take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown. The final BetMGM odds for the game.

After having a week off due to the postponement of Tuesday’s game, the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball returns to the court. Lon Kruger’s squad heads to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in the second and final game in the season series. OU upset WVU in Norman back on Jan. 2. Can they do it again?

This game will feature the No. 12 Sooners (12-5,7-4) and the No. 14 Mountaineers (14-5, 7-3). The winner having the leg up for the No. 2 seed in the conference behind the undefeated Baylor Bears. This game will see the return of Alondes Williams to the lineup. Oklahoma will be the slight underdog in this game.

BetMGM Odds

Line: West Virginia (-2.5)

O/U: 144.5

Money Line: Oklahoma (+125) / West Virginia (-150)

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Lon Kruger confirms Alondes Williams will return to action on Saturday against West Virginia

Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger confirmed on Thursday that junior guard Alondes Williams will return to action on Saturday vs West Virginia.

A key player of Oklahoma’s team will be making his return on Saturday. Head coach Lon Kruger confirmed on Thursday that junior guard Alondes Williams will be back in the rotation after missing the last three games after a bout with COVID-19.

A starter in all 14 games he’s played this season, Williams has solid per game averages at 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists. His explosiveness and energy often provide a spark that the Sooners will be very glad to have back.

As for how much of a role he will have against West Virginia this weekend, he will probably be somewhat eased back into the fold although Kruger said he has recovered well.

“He’s bounced back well,” Kruger said on Thursday. “Not physically behind. He’s got his bounce, he’s got his pop to his step. He’s not dragging around from the COVID at all. Cardio-wise, it’ll take him a little while to get back to where he was. But, he doesn’t have to play a lot of minutes. He’ll definitely be able to be ready on Saturday to give us some minutes in critical situations.”

Obviously Williams is an important player on the court, but his leadership is something that can also be underrated. He is one of the voices of the team that other guys respond to and will certainly provide some eagerness for his return.

“Super excited to get one of our leaders back in the locker room,” Elijah Harkless said Thursday. “He’s great energy, locker room just changes when he walks in, court changes just when he gets on the court. He’s a big part of the reason why we got on our run. I’m excited to have him back and the guys are excited to have him back and can’t wait to see what he does.”

Oklahoma will head to Morgantown to battle No. 14 West Virginia on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CT.

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Lon Kruger says “at this point” Austin Reaves is expected to be back for Saturday’s game against Iowa State

Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said “at this point” that they expect Austin Reaves to make his return for Saturday’s game against Iowa State.

A big piece of Oklahoma’s team looks to be on the way back.

Lon Kruger met with the media on Thursday and confirmed the belief that Austin Reaves is expected to make his return to the team for Saturday’s game against Iowa State as long as all goes well with testing over the next couple of days.

Reaves has been out due to contact tracing in the COVID-19 protocols and has missed the last two Sooners games against Alabama and Texas Tech. Getting him back will obviously be huge as both the leading scorer on the team but also as one of the leaders.

“We missed him a lot,” Umoja Gibson said on Thursday. “We can’t wait to get him back this Saturday.”

Kruger also said that Alondes Williams would be out again on Saturday as he still recovers from his positive COVID-19 test. If all goes well with him, he could be available for next Wednesday’s game against Baylor, although he will likely be eased back into things.

Since Reaves has been a case of contact tracing rather than testing positive himself, he has been able to do some work on his own and thus won’t need his return to come slowly. He should be able to go right back to his normal minutes according to Kruger.

Oklahoma hosts Iowa State on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT at the Lloyd Noble Center.

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Oklahoma’s Austin Reaves and Alondes Williams will both be out against Texas Tech

Oklahoma’s Austin Reaves and Alondes Williams will miss their second straight game on Monday night due to COVID-19 protocols.

Just as they were on Saturday against Alabama, Oklahoma starters Austin Reaves and Alondes Williams will both be out for the Sooners’ Monday night game against Texas Tech due to COVID-19 protocols.

It is unclear at this time if the players have contracted the virus themselves or if it is a situation of contact tracing that has kept them out now for two consecutive games.

Oklahoma did manage to defeat No. 9 Alabama on Saturday despite the two key players being out, but this may be an even more difficult task to go on the road against a Big 12 foe that they have already fallen to once this season.

The good news for the Sooners here is that they should still be able to have some level of confidence given the win without them already. Not to mention the fact that they have built up a lot of good will with the NCAA Tournament committee with all of the big wins they have already racked up.

In Saturday’s game, Umoja Gibson and Jalen Hill moved into the starting five in Reaves and Williams’ place. That will likely be the option Lon Kruger turns to again on Monday.

Oklahoma is set to face the Red Raiders at 8:00 p.m. CT in Lubbock.

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Oklahoma has reportedly reached out to Louisville grad transfer Darius Perry

With an abrupt finish to the college basketball season, those eligible to transfer are already planning their futures.

With an abrupt finish to the college basketball season, those eligible to transfer are already planning their futures.

Louisville graduate transfer Darius Perry was contacted by a slew of teams per Rivals insider Corey Evans.

The Louisville guard was in talks with Oklahoma as well as others as to where he should play his last year of collegiate ball. Perry made his announcement to leave Louisville public on Monday night via Twitter.

A 6-foot-2, 195-pound class of 2017 guard, Perry was a four-star recruit coming out of high school per Rivals. The Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler High School), native closed his high-school career as the No. 98 ranked player in the nation before heading to Louisville.

In 100 games with the Cardinals, Perry averaged 16.6 minutes per game, 4.8 points per game, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 36.4% from behind the arc.

With Alondes Williams, De’Vion Harmon, Kur Kuath, and Jalen Hill being the only ones to come off the bench consistently, Perry could be a welcomed addition for some added depth.

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When, where, how to watch Oklahoma-TCU

Oklahoma (18-12, 8-9) is looking to cap off an up-and-down season with a win over TCU (16-14, 7-10).

After losing to Texas in grim fashion on Wednesday, Oklahoma (18-12, 8-9) is looking to cap off an up-and-down season with a win over TCU (16-14, 7-10).

Both the Sooners and the Horned Frogs will be competing for similar spots in the postseason tournament, and an early March win will bolster both of their resumes.

TCU is coming off a tough loss of their own, as they dropped a 9-point game to Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse.

Here is where you can tune in to watch or listen.

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WHERE: Schollmaier Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)

WHEN: 5:00 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: ESPN2

HOW TO LISTEN: Sooner Sports Radio Network—KOKC AM 1520 and KRXO 107.7 FM in OKC, KMOD FM 97.5 and KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa (click here for more options if not in either of those markets)

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Oklahoma falls short on Kristian Doolittle’s senior night, loses to Texas 52-51

With the game in his hands, senior forward Kristian Doolittle had a chance to leave the Lloyd Noble Center with a lasting memory.

NORMAN, Okla. — With the game in his hands, senior forward Kristian Doolittle had a chance to leave the Lloyd Noble Center with a lasting memory.

It was his senior night, and with six seconds remaining and a two-point lead, Doolittle went to the charity stripe in the double bonus to put the game out of Texas’ reach.

He missed both free throws.

Texas’ Matt Coleman then had a prayer answered with a bank-in 3-pointer to down Oklahoma 52-51 and ruin Doolittle’s last moment inside the place he called home for four years.

“It’s really tough,” head coach Lon Kruger said following the game, regarding Doolittle. “He’ll have that memory for a long time but he’s gonna bounce right back. He’ll work through it, teammates will help him and we’ll be better on Saturday.”

Just 130 minutes before Doolittle missed his final shots inside the Lloyd Noble Center he was recognized as the lone senior on the Sooners’ squad. Over his career at Oklahoma, Doolittle personified grit, toughness, and perseverance.

In his sophomore year, Doolittle was suspended for the first half of the season due to academic issues. He rebounded by winning the Big 12 Most Improved Player in his junior season. Follow that up with the fact that Doolittle played two and a half games with a broken nose while nearly averaging a double-double and you have an ideal college basketball player. A kid that has battled through adversity, fought for not only himself but for his teammates and program and has earned the right to wear the jersey he puts on every day.

Yes—Doolittle had an opportunity to ice the game with six seconds to go, but he was not the only one who buckled against the Longhorns.

The Sooners missed eight of their 29 free throws and shot an abysmal 2-of-20 from behind the arc. As life goes, the Sooners needed to go 3-of-20 to come away with a win.

Despite the loss, Doolittle led the Sooners with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and tallied one assist, block, and steal in his final game inside the LNC.

Oklahoma limps into Ft. Worth, Texas, for the final game of the regular season as they will take on TCU on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3p.m. CT and can be found on ESPN2.

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Three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 52-51 loss against Texas

Oklahoma (18-12, 8-9) had their souls crushed by Texas (19-11, 9-8) on a near buzzer-beater to send lone senior…

Oklahoma (18-12, 8-9) had their souls crushed by Texas (19-11, 9-8) on a near buzzer-beater to send lone senior,  Kristian Doolittle off on a sour note.

NO RHYTHM

For a team that wants to make the Big Dance, the Sooners had no rhythm tonight. Shooting below 30% from the floor for the entire game left Oklahoma looking hard for offense down the final stretch.

FREE THROWS ARE NOT FREE

Live free, die hard.

The two leaders of the Sooners squad failed to knock down gimmies in the final minute to leave the door open for the miracle-laden Longhorns. Oklahoma had 27 more chances at the line than Texas, making just 21 of 29 to the Longhorns’ two attempts and makes.

CRUSHING BLOW

This loss hits different.

Losing on senior night is never fun, but especially losing to a bitter rival on a near buzzer-beater. The Sooners have to quickly forget about the loss and move on to TCU in preparation for Saturday’s regular-season finale.

Oklahoma and TCU are set for a 3p.m. tip in Ft. Worth on Saturday. The game can be found on ESPN2.

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Three keys for Oklahoma basketball against Texas

Oklahoma (18-11, 8-8) meets up with Texas (18-11, 8-8) one last time for the Big 12 regular season.

Oklahoma (18-11, 8-8) meets up with Texas (18-11, 8-8) one last time for the Big 12 regular season.

Not only a rivalry game, but it is also senior night for the Sooners. Kristian Doolittle, the lone senior on this Oklahoma team will get one final game at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Here is what needs to happen for the Sooners to come away with a win.

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WHAT IT DOO, BABY

This is Kristian Doolittle’s last home game. What better way to send him off than by letting him do what he does best?

Letting the offense run through Doolittle is what got Oklahoma inside the bubble, so why stop now? Allowing Doolittle to pick and choose when and where to attack the Longhorns’ defense will create space and more opportunities for guys on the perimeter.

SLOW YOUR ROLE

De’Vion Harmon, Jamal Bieniemy, Alondes Williams, and Kur Kuath are all finding their roles as post-season play creeps in quickly. Getting solid minutes out of the bunch will pay dividends not just tonight but for the rest of March, and maybe even April.

DO NOT LET UP

There is no reason why Oklahoma should overlook the Longhorns. Texas is hot, winning four-straight Big 12 games while making a push towards the Big Dance.

The Sooners need to win out while Texas Tech loses out against Baylor and Kansas for Oklahoma to be named the three-seed in the Big 12 Tournament next week in Kansas City. The Sooners have to take control early and not let Texas have the chance to contend with them for 40+ minutes.

Tip-off is set for 8p.m. CT on ESPN 2. For full broadcast details, click here.

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When, where, how to watch Oklahoma-Texas

Oklahoma (18-11, 8-8) and Texas (18-11, 8-8) are set to square off in the second edition of the Red River Rivalry of the 2019-20 season.

Oklahoma (18-11, 8-8) and Texas (18-11, 8-8) are set to square off in the second edition of the Red River Rivalry of the 2019-20 season.

Both the Sooners and Longhorns are heating up at the right time with postseason play just days away.

Texas, riding a four-game win streak has had a rebirth despite losing three key players due to injury. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has won two games in a row over top-25 ranked opponents after dropping three straight with the low point of the season coming less than two weeks ago against Oklahoma State.

With both teams flirting with the ‘bubble’, this rivalry game means just a bit more than most.

Here is where you can tune in to watch or listen.

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WHERE: Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, Oklahoma)

WHEN: 8:00 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: ESPN2

HOW TO LISTEN: Sooner Sports Radio Network—KOKC AM 1520 and KRXO 107.7 FM in OKC, KMOD FM 97.5 and KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa (click here for more options if not in either of those markets)

HOW TO STREAM: WATCH ESPN

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