Big 12 Hoops – Page 4 – Syndication Server

When, where, how to watch Oklahoma-Texas Tech

Oklahoma (16-11, 6-8) looks to reboot their system to save the season against Texas Tech (18-9, 9-5).

Losing three-straight games for the first time this season, the Sooners have their backs against the wall when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. The ever-dreaded ‘bubble’ life is a reality for Oklahoma.

Tonight, the Sooners can take back control of their own destiny. With four games left, Oklahoma is quickly running out of opportunities to make their case.

In their first meeting, the Sooners travelled out to Lubbock, Texas, playing the then No. 18 team in the country all the way to the buzzer, losing 69-61.

Here is where you can find tonight’s matchup.

WHERE: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

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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Kristian Doolittle to play with broken nose against Texas Tech

Bedlam always seems to leave its mark. Senior forward Kristian Doolittle learned that the hard way on Saturday.

Bedlam always seems to leave its mark.

Senior forward Kristian Doolittle learned that the hard way on Saturday.

“I got elbowed after a layup,” Doolittle said following Oklahoma’s practice at Chesapeake Energy Arena. “I realized when I put my hand on my nose it wasn’t straight anymore so I had to go back to the locker room and try to adjust it back there but it didn’t work.”

Doolittle checked out of the game with 17:18 left in the second half and returned with 14:29 on the clock, finishing the game with a broken nose and without a protective mask.

Practicing without a custom mask today, Doolittle will have a formed mask tomorrow in the Sooners’ matchup against Texas Tech.

“…it’s not pleasant at all,” Doolittle said regarding how he liked playing with the mask on.

Doolittle’s minutes will not be restricted going into the game but that could change as Oklahoma had a relatively light practice, not giving him a chance to see if his breathing is affected heavily.

“It’s kinda hard to tell because we didn’t really go up and down (the court) that much today,” Doolittle said. “But only one nostril works so I’ll deal with that during the game.”

With it being the first break Doolittle has suffered in his career, he feels confident that it will not affect how he plays until he gets hit.

“I don’t think I’ll be thinking about my nose until I get hit in it,” Doolittle said. “It really just depends on how I react to the first time I get hit in it if I do get hit in it. Just being able to fight through that.”

Doolittle and the Sooners take on Texas Tech at 8p.m. inside Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN2.

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Oklahoma back on the bubble in latest bracketology

Oklahoma (16-11, 6-8) are officially on the bubble following a three-game losing streak capped off with a blowout loss to Oklahoma State (14-13, 4-10).

The Sooners’ loss to the Cowboys slid them to an 11-seed via USA TODAY, a play in 12-seed on ESPN, and an average of a 10.92-seed per Bracket Matrix.

With just four games remaining in the regular season, Oklahoma is going to have to win at least three of them to stay inside the bubble.

Hosting Texas Tech in Oklahoma City tomorrow night, heading to No. 19 West Virginia on Saturday before closing the regular season out with Texas at home and TCU on the road, the Sooners have no free games left. There is no room for air if Oklahoma wants to make it to the Big Dance. Lon Kruger’s crew have got to play their best basketball over the next two to two and a half weeks with selection Sunday just under three weeks away.

The Sooners’ gauntlet begins tomorrow night when they play host to Texas Tech at Chesapeake Energy Arena at 8p.m. on ESPN2. The Red Raiders won the first matchup in Lubbock, Texas, beating Oklahoma 69-61.

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Oklahoma leaves Bedlam bruised

Limping into Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma heads back to Norman, Okla., with a black eye.

The Sooners had their backs against the wall following two losses to projected one-seeds Kansas and Baylor over the past week. With no games coming easy in the Big 12, Oklahoma laid an egg against bitter rival Oklahoma State.

The Sooners got out to a hot start, leading the Cowboys by 10 with 11:34 remaining in the first half. From there, the Sooners were in for a world of hurt while surrounded by ‘America’s brightest orange’.

After shooting over 50% to start, Oklahoma could not buy a basket slipping all the way down to 38% shooting when the final buzzer sounded.

Despite being down by just six points at the half, the body language of Oklahoma’s veterans Brady Manek and Kristian Doolittle set the tone as to where the game was going to go for the final 20 minutes.

“Brady’s been here before,” Lon Kruger told reporters postgame. “He knows he’s gotta bounce back and get his head up and keep working to make shots.”

Doolittle took a shot to the face while battling for a rebound and was unable to compose himself to keep pushing following the accidental contact. Kruger feels confident that the duo can help reset the tone moving forward saying that “they’re veteran guys that know that there’s four left… but it’s one loss and we gotta bounce back and play the next four.”

The Sooners’ fortunes looked as if it would change just as Oklahoma State had them on the ropes in the early stages of the second half when Austin Reaves took over offensively.

Reaves came out of the locker room like a bat out of hell as he attacked the Cowboys defense in the paint. With no regard for his body, Reaves nearly single-handedly got the Sooners into the double-bonus with 12:40 to go in the second half.

“As a player, (you) do what you can do to see your team get momentum and move forward and just try to do what you can do to win,” Reaves said postgame.

His effort never wavered even when the game was well decided as the Cowboys pulled away late. His performance against Oklahoma State is something he attributes to his parents.

“It was just how I was raised,” Reaves said. “My parents wouldn’t let me quit on a game if we were down, even if were up. You just play to the last buzzer.”

Reaves’ play in the second half helped cut the Sooners’ deficit to six, something coach Kruger largely attributed to him.

Oklahoma will look to pick themselves up off the canvas following their three-game skid as they play host to Texas Tech on Tuesday in Oklahoma City at Chesapeake Energy Arena at 8p.m. on ESPN2.

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Three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 83-66 loss to Oklahoma State

Oklahoma (16-11, 6-8) lost its third consecutive game for the first time all season, giving Oklahoma State (14-3, 4-10)…

Oklahoma (16-11, 6-8) lost its third consecutive game for the first time all season, giving Oklahoma State (14-3, 4-10) its fourth Big 12 win of the season.

The Sooners lost 83-66 on the road at their in-state rival.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Simply put, Oklahoma forgot how to play basketball. The Sooners were sloppy from the 10-minute mark of the first half to the final buzzer. After a hot start and holding a 10-point lead in the first half, Oklahoma fell apart under the raucous crowd inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Lack of attention on defense, cheap fouls, poor shot selection… the list goes on and on. The Sooners simply got ran off the court in Stillwater, Okla.

AUSTIN. REAVES.

Just when the Sooners needed him most, Austin Reaves became the hero Oklahoma did not want but needed. With the Sooners on the canvas, Reaves took it upon himself to nearly single-handedly put Oklahoma in the double-bonus.

Putting the team on his back, Reaves did about everything he could to get the Sooners in the game.

NO MANEK MO PROBLEMS

Brady Manek was M.I.A. against the Cowboys. Manek was one of eight from the floor and was scoreless from behind the arc. Despite scoring a career-high against the Pokes in Norman, Manek could not get anything to go tonight. Having the Sooners go the way Manek goes has its upside, but today was the lowest of lows.

Oklahoma looks to rebound from three straight losses on Tuesday when they faceoff against Texas Tech in Oklahoma City.

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Three keys for Oklahoma against Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

In their first matchup, the Sooners pulled away in the early stages of the second half to cruise to an 82-69 win.

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) and Oklahoma State (13-13, 3-10) square off in the second and final edition of Bedlam during the regular season. In their first matchup, the Sooners pulled away in the early stages of the second half to cruise to an 82-69 win.

For Oklahoma to get the sweep, here is what needs to happen.

INSIDE OUT

The Sooners need to learn how to live in the paint. With Brady Manek and Kristian Doolittle, Oklahoma should not have to settle for jump shots. Despite the more than able duo, the Sooners have been settling for poor shots in mid-range and taking contested threes in transition. If Oklahoma wants to survive and make the NCAA Tournament they should start getting the ball as close to the hoop as possible.

LET ALONDES FLY

At Thursday’s practice, Alondes Williams nearly ended Risk Issanza’s career before it even began. Williams threw down a left-handed tomahawk over Issanza to bring practice to a halt while everyone ooed and awed at Williams’ athleticism at Issanza’s expense. Williams continues to improve every day with better and better performances nearly each and every time out. If the offense stalls out, Oklahoma should do everything they can to get the ball in Williams’ hands to spark the Sooners’ offense.

CONTINUE THE DEFENSE

Oklahoma has been nearly elite on the defensive end of the floor since Big 12 play began. Keeping that energy against the Cowboys will be key to stop the Cowboys from catching fire against the Sooners. As much as the offense is important for Oklahoma, the defense is important tenfold. Look for the Sooners to set the tone on defense early.

The Sooners and Cowboys tip off at 3p.m. CT on ESPN2. For more broadcast details, click here.

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When, where, how to watch Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) and Oklahoma State (13-13, 3-10) duke it out one last time in the regular season in Stillwater, Okla.

The Sooners are coming off two tough losses against No. 3 Kansas on the road and No. 1 Baylor at home. This edition of Bedlam is as close to a must-win as it can be for Oklahoma.

The Cowboys, having found three Big 12 wins since the two teams met, are coming off a tough loss to No. 18 West Virginia, losing in Morgantown, W. Va., 65-47.

This game means a lot for the Sooners as they are currently slotted as a nine-seed per the Bracket Matrix. For Oklahoma to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, they must first take care of the Cowboys.

Here is where you can find the game.

WHERE: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater, Okla.)

WHEN: 3:00 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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Oklahoma not cutting corners during final push to the Big Dance

Head coach Lon Kruger had his team listening acutely to every word coming out of his mouth.

Simply put—Oklahoma’s practice on Thursday was intense.

Head coach Lon Kruger had his team listening acutely to every word coming out of his mouth. Assistant coaches Jim Molinari and Carlin Hartman were barking orders for their guys to compete for all of practice, their voices echoing off the walls of the practice gym inside the Lloyd Noble Center.

“We got to be more physical. We’re still working in that direction, moving in that direction,” Kruger told media after practice. “Certainly much improved over two weeks ago, over a month ago and we still got two and a half weeks left, we gotta continue to move in a good direction.”

Kruger saw it as fitting to have a physical practice as the Sooners have faced more physical opponents over the past month.

“When you think about two weeks ago, we’re much farther along right now than we were prior to the West Virginia game,” Kruger said. “Playing against teams like West Virginia, like Baylor, like Kansas, like anyone in the league really, you’re getting experience every time you play.”

While getting better, the Sooner’s physicality went passed the whistle on occasion.

“I would say (practice), it was really physical,” Brady Manek said. “Kinda put the better players against each other four on four and kinda went at it. (We) Had a couple guys get into it, it was very competitive.”

Oklahoma needs that competitive fire as they come down the home stretch into March. Following two tough losses to No. 3 Kansas on the road and No. 1 Baylor at home, the Sooners have just five more regular-season games to plead their case to the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

Currently slotted as a nine-seed via Bracket Matrix, Oklahoma has to take care of business against lesser opponents in the Big 12. The Sooners still control their own destiny as they square off against two tournament teams in No. 18 West Virginia and current eight-seed Texas Tech left to play once more.

By the looks of Thursday’s practice, Oklahoma is ready to turn up the intensity as they look to solidify a spot in the Big Dance.

The Sooners return to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT against Oklahoma State on the road.

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Oklahoma still in control of their own destiny in latest bracketology

According to Bracket Matrix, Oklahoma would be the last nine-seed to get into the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) has dropped two-straight games against No. 3 Kansas and No. 1 Baylor, despite playing well for the majority of both matchups. With a key matchup against Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday, the Sooners have to take care of teams they should beat to find themselves in the Big Dance.

According to Bracket Matrix, Oklahoma would be the last nine-seed to get into the NCAA Tournament. The three other nine-seeds being Florida, Southern Cal, and Witchita State. The Sooners the Shockers earlier this season, losing 80-75 on the road.

Other Big 12 schools to make the Tournament include Baylor and Kansas as the top two seeds in the entire tournament, West Virginia as a four-seed, and Texas Tech as an eight-seed.

Following Saturday’s Bedlam matchup, Oklahoma plays host to Texas Tech next Tuesday before closing out February with a trip to Morgantown, West Virginia next Saturday.

The Sooners can solidify their case to be in the big dance over the next two weeks as they still hold their own destiny.

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are set to tip-off at 3p.m. CT on Saturday. The game can be found on ESPN2.

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Oklahoma unable to get over the hump against No. 1 Baylor

It has been 27 years since the No. 1 team in the nation has played in the Lloyd Noble Center.

NORMAN, Okla. – It has been 27 years since the No. 1 team in the nation has played in the Lloyd Noble Center.

No. 1 Baylor (24-1, 13-0) escaped a raucous and hostile crowd, beating the Sooners 65-54. Oklahoma fans were chomping at the bit, knowing full well what was at stake for both the Bears and Sooners.

For Baylor, a shot at Big 12 history before hosting No. 3 Kansas on Saturday. They now boast a 23-conference game win streak, a Big 12 record. For Oklahoma, a shot at knocking off the No. 1 team in the country for the first time since they beat Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament in 2002.

All started well for Lon Kruger’s team, leading the Bears 13-11 halfway through the first half. Baylor soon took over, methodically shutting down the Sooners’ offense while pulling away to a 13-point lead with four minutes left in the half.

On the ropes and near to getting a standing 10-count, the Sooners came back swinging. Brady Manek and Jalen Hill kickstarted the second effort with an artistic sequence thanks to Hill’s offensive rebounding prowess.

As the half dwindled down, Oklahoma fans were on the edge of their seats ready to blow the roof off of the Lloyd Noble Center, but the Bears failed to give them a chance to do so.

“It’s easy to say ‘What if?’ or ‘What would’ve happened?'”, Kristian Doolittle said postgame, when asked, had a few more shots fell if the crowd would have made more of a factor. “Ideally, we take the lead and we never give it back,” Doolittle said. “You never know as to what would’ve happened, but we missed an opportunity to take the lead. We had a lot of good shots that just didn’t go in for us tonight.”

The first 10 minutes of the second half was reminiscent of the first half as the Sooners tried inching their way into the lead, but could only pull as close as one point.

The Sooners season so far can be described as Sisyphus’ rock. So close, yet so far. Just as Oklahoma looks as though they can reach the peak, their rock slips from their grip and tumbles back down the mountain.

The Sooners have a chance to climb back against Oklahoma State on Saturday. The second regular-season edition of Bedlam is set for 3p.m. CT in Stillwater and can be found on ESPN2.

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