Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Follow along here for live scoring updates from the game.
Oklahoma ( 13-6, 3-3) and Kansas State (8-11, 1-5) just tipped off in a Big 12 battle. The Sooners are coming off a hard-fought win in the Big 12/SEC Challenge over Mississippi State while the Wildcats have been struggling over the past month. Follow along here for live scoring updates from the game.
The Sooners have started like this before. Trust the process.
Conference play is in full swing and all eyes are on who is in and who is out when it comes to March Madness.
Conference play is in full swing and all eyes are on who is in and who is out when it comes to March Madness.
Oklahoma, with a 13-6 record (3-3 Big 12), has been overachieving in some circles while others have them right on par at this point in the season. Lon Kruger’s team has taken No. 6 Kansas and No. 1 Baylor, down to the wire but has also been blown out by Iowa State, 81-68.
Maybe the only thing more confusing than this Sooners squad is bracketology itself. Currently, Oklahoma is projected as a 10-seed, per Bracket Matrix. Bracket Matrix combines 105 bracketologists predictions for a singular composite bracket.
The Sooners are one of five Big 12 teams currently projected inside the 68-team field. Both Baylor and Kansas are projected as one-seeds, West Virginia is currently projected a two-seed and Oklahoma is joined by Texas Tech as a 10-seed.
The Sooners were listed on 101 of 105 bracket projections with their highest seeding being a seven and their lowest a 12-seed, giving them an average seeding of 9.92.
Oklahoma squares off with Kansas State (8-11, 1-5) at 7p.m. CT on ESPN+. For more broadcast details, click here.
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With one matchup already in the books, Oklahoma (13-6, 3-3) and Kansas State (8-11, 1-5) square off for the second and last time…
With one matchup already in the books, Oklahoma (13-6, 3-3) and Kansas State (8-11, 1-5) square off for the second and last time during the regular season.
To open Big 12 play, the Sooners came away with a 66-61 win with Austin Reaves and Kristian Doolittle combining for 40 points. This Sooners squad has changed a lot since the last time these two teams faced off on Jan. 4th. Oklahoma has taken both then No. 6 Kansas and No. 1 Baylor to the wire. The Sooners are better than their record indicates but make no mistake they still have some ways to go to ensure they make the NCAA Tournament.
The road to March continues tonight as Oklahoma heads up to the Little Apple to take on Lon Kruger’s alma mater.
While Kansas State is still a very respectable opponent, Kruger can get away with force-feeding certain players without making much adjustment and still leaving town with a win. He should do just that and feed Kristian Doolittle to get him back into the groove of the offense. Doolittle has been quiet offensively as of late. Still a top-10 scorer in the Big 12, Doolittle has been held to just eight points in each of the last two games.
The Sooners have played exquisite defense over the four games, holding their opponents to 66 points or less. The intensity on defense can be seen in practice and has paid dividends for Oklahoma as they have been in games against opponents they had no chance with on paper. No reason the Sooners should not hold the Wildcats to under 70 tonight.
With the emergence of Kur Kuath and Alondes Williams over the past month, Kruger has some options when it comes to who comes off the bench and when. Jalen Hill has also held his own in his minutes off the bench as a true freshman. Using role players in a game like this can pay off big time when it matters most.
Oklahoma and Kansas State are set to tip-off at 7p.m. CT on ESPN+. For more broadcast details, click here.
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Oklahoma (13-6, 3-3) head up to Manhattan, Kan. to take on Kansas State (8-11, 1-5) for the second time this season.
Oklahoma (13-6, 3-3) head up to Manhattan, Kan. to take on Kansas State (8-11, 1-5) for the second time this season. Once again, the matchup is being streamed on Big 12 NOW through ESPN+.
The Sooners are 2-2 over there last four, coming off an ugly but much-needed win against Mississippi State (13-7, 4-3) last Saturday, beating the Bulldogs 63-62 in Oklahoma City.
Now with Big 12 play for the rest of the regular season, Oklahoma has to take advantage of lesser teams no matter if it is on the road or at home. The Sooners beat the Wildcats at home earlier this season to the tune of 66-61. Oklahoma has been on a level or climbing trend ever since while Kansas State has only one conference win, albeit against now No. 11 West Virginia at home.
The Wildcats have the firepower to compete with Oklahoma in what should be a low-scoring, Big 12 battle.
WHERE: Manhattan, Kan. (Bramlage Coliseum)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. CT
HOW TO WATCH: ESPN+ Big 12 NOW
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: ESPN+
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Less than 24 hours after Trae Young dropped 26 points and 16 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena…
Less than 24 hours after Trae Young dropped 26 points and 16 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, he watched his alma mater and some former teammates squeak one out against Mississippi State, 63-62.
With less than 15 seconds left, Oklahoma had to lock down the Bulldogs one last time to preserve their one-point lead and secure their thirteenth win of the season. Yet again, the Sooners defense came through big time with Jamal Bieniemy pressuring up the court and Kristian Doolittle defending Nick Witherspoon’s game-winning attempt just enough to force a miss, giving Oklahoma the win.
However, it was Alondes Williams who stole the show. Williams set a new career-high in points with 13 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Sparking the Sooners in the second half, Williams scored five points in 19 seconds, capped off with an emphatic fast-break two-handed slam.
“It was amazing,” Williams told reporters through a smile, reminiscing about the dunk that brought the ‘Peake to their feet.
Brady Manek said post-game that the outburst “…was a game-changer,”
The burst of effort from a bench player was exactly what Oklahoma needed to get them through a grinder of a game against an evenly matched Mississippi State team.
However, just as much as the Sooners stopped them, the Bulldogs got in their own way early and often. Easily Mississippi State’s best player and biggest advantage size-wise Reggie Perry picked up three fouls before 10 minutes could tick off the first-half clock. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound center being benched for much of the first half allowed the Sooners to take advantage before the half, building a 15-point lead before taking an 8-point lead into the locker room. Perry did not foul out but was very much missed by the Bulldogs due to a lack of minutes played to keep him from picking up five fouls.
The win gives Oklahoma a 5-2 record in the Big12/SEC Challenge and the school’s fifth straight win in NBA arenas.
Oklahoma gets back to Big 12 Conference play on Wednesday when they head up to Kansas State (8-5, 5-4). The Broadcast can be watched via Big 12 NOW on ESPN+.
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Oklahoma (13-6, 3-3) pulled out a nail biter against Mississippi State (12-7, 3-3), beating the Bulldogs 63-62.
Oklahoma (13-6, 3-3) pulled out a nail biter against Mississippi State (12-7, 3-3), beating the Bulldogs 63-62.
Here are three takeaways from the much-needed win.
Transfer guard Alondes Williams came in clutch for the Sooners, setting a new career-high in points with 13. Coming off the bench for the majority of the season, Williams has emerged over the past few games as a guy who can come up clutch when need be for Oklahoma.
The Sooners have played three of their last four games in a grindhouse. Oklahoma has chipped away and fought throughout the full 40 minutes against Kansas, Baylor, and now Mississippi State, proving to themselves that they can win when they have to go into ‘dogfight’ mode.
The usually high-scoring duo was nearly non-existent against the Bulldogs. A combined 7-26 and 0-6 from deep, they combined for 17 total points. Finding space was not a problem as there were plenty of open shots but neither could find the bottom of the net. However, a silver lining to the two being M.I.A. against Mississippi State is that Oklahoma won without them. Thanks to Brady Manek’s 18 points and Alondes Williams’ career-high 13 points, the Sooners were able to claw a much-needed ‘W’ into the win column.
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A win is a win is a win. Oklahoma (8-2) crawled their way to a much-needed win, beating Central Florida (9-3) 53-52.
A win is a win is a win.
Oklahoma (8-2) crawled their way to a much-needed win to avoid a three-game losing skid, beating Central Florida (9-3) 53-52.
Preventing a three-game losing streak comes down to the older guys on a team. With Kristian Doolittle being the lone senior for the Sooners, he kept the team afloat against the Knights. His demeanor throughout the game, despite Oklahoma not being able to make shots, stayed consistent and positive.
His 12 points accounted for five of the Sooners’ 21 total shots made.
Oklahoma has had a rough first half of the season although their record may not fully recognize it. The shooting woes that have plagued the Sooners, though are very much fixable.
“It’s a good time for a break,” Lon Kruger said following the win. “I think very clearly, [we] understand, we have a lot of work to do,”
The flow offensively was non-existent once again as Oklahoma shot an abysmal 21 of 65.
After a poor performance against Creighton, allowing 83 points, the defense buckled down when the offense screeched to a halt against UCF.
“Needless to say, both teams had a lot of trouble scoring,” Kruger said.
Regardless of the competition, holding a team to 52 points is something to be proud of for the Sooners. The Knights had multiple chances to take control of the game and put it away early but Oklahoma kept chipping away and forcing stops.
Oklahoma takes an extended break for the holidays and will be back in action against Texas Rio Grande Valley on Monday, Dec. 30 at 6:00 p.m. CT.
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After a slow start, a huge lead and a close finish, Oklahoma improves to 3-0 on the season with a win over Oregon State.
After a slow start, a huge lead and a close finish, Oklahoma improves to 3-0 on the season with a win over Oregon State.
The Sooners’ 77-69 victory over is the Beavers’ first loss of the season.
When the Sooners are clicking, they are a really fun group to watch. Oklahoma showed off their athleticism, shooting abilities and defensive prowess against the Beavers. It did not matter who was out there, once the Sooners found their groove, they were going to score.
Four Sooners finished the game in double digits with Kristian Doolittle leading the way with 19 points.
Austin Reaves is really going to hurt an opposing fan base one day. The transfer from Wichita State was 5-9 from three point range, finishing the game with 17 points and one rebound.
Austin Reaves has some Trae Young range. pic.twitter.com/yLkAFjqfu6
— OUHoops (@ouhoops) November 13, 2019
In his second game back from suspension for playing in an unsanctioned summer league (a suspension in which ESPN commentator, Jay Bilas ripped the NCAA for), Doolittle looked like he does when he plays to his full ability.
Doolittle was the Sooners’ leading scorer and rebounder with 19 points and a career high, 16 boards. Six of those points came from deep as Doolittle tickled both times he shot behind the arc.
Aside from his 19 and 16 efforts, Doolittle also had three assists in his 32 minutes.
Not just the starters got in on the action. Kur Kuath, Jalen Hill, Victor Iwuakor and Alondes Williams all posted stats against the Beavers. For what they lacked with their 18 combined points, they made up for in play that be kept with numbers. The Sooners kept Oregon State relatively quiet, forcing the Beavers on multiple minute-long scoreless streaks.
Oklahoma’s next game is Monday, November 18, against William & Mary at the Lloyd Noble Center. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest. Tip-off is set for 6pm CT.
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=EkxepfaGmq-652218-7498&autoplay=on&V=2&format=json
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