It has been nine days since we last saw Oklahoma (7-1) on the hardwood. With finals week behind them, the Sooners are set to take on Wichita State (8-1) in the Sunflower State.
LET AUSTIN REAVES EAT
The Sooners’ leading scorer is very familiar with the Shockers as he played for Wichita State in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Not necessarily a “revenge game” but definitely a game Reaves wants to perform well in. Averaging 17.6 points per game, Reaves has been a bright spot in Oklahoma’s offense. Feed Reaves and let him show the Shockers what they’re missing.
SHOW DOMINANCE
The Sooners have yet to put together a full 40 minutes, allowing teams that should not hang around, to do just that. Oklahoma has to put together a full 40 for the Sooners to have a chance. Wichita State is good and they are even better at home. The Shockers are 1-1 this season against Big 12 opponents, losing to West Virginia 75-63 on a neutral site and beating No. 25 Oklahoma State in Stillwater 80-61. It will not be easy but Oklahoma needs to learn how to put together a full game.
LOCKDOWN THE PAINT
The Sooners can get beat from behind the arc and that’s fine. When it’s the other team’s night to get out, it’s the other team’s night to get hot. However, what Oklahoma cannot allow is easy buckets in the paint or second-chance buckets. Forcing shots outside the paint and winning the rebound battle will be huge if the Sooners want to have a chance.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]