Oklahoma (12-6, 3-3) dropped a heart breaker to No. 1 ranked Baylor (16-1, 6-0) on Monday night, 61-57.
The Sooners did nearly everything they needed to do to win but fell just short as Austin Reaves had a three-pointer clank off the rim with just seconds left that would have given the Sooners a lead with three seconds and change left to play. In fact, Oklahoma was about three objectives away from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in program history.
THE SOONERS ARE CLOSE
I know Oklahoma fans are tired of hearing this following the beatdown that was the Peach Bowl, but the Sooners are close. Losing to No. 6 Kansas at home and No. 1 Baylor on the road by 18 total points is nothing to shake your head at. Oklahoma really only lacks size and strength in the paint which would put them in Sweet 16 talks from the beginning of the season. Lon Kruger has this team on the right trajectory. With Jamal Bieniemy, De’Vion Harmon, Brady Manek, and Kur Kuath all coming back next season, the Sooners will only be THAT much more fun to watch as they develop.
REBOUNDS ARE A NECESSITY
Oklahoma could not buy a rebound if they had unlimited funds. The Sooners were outrebounded 46-36 total and allowed 18 offensive rebounds for Baylor. If Oklahoma wants to advance past the first round of the NCAA Tournament and maybe upset a team or two in the Big 12, they need to box out and take away second chances when on defense.
WHERE IS AUSTIN?
Remember when Austin Reaves was on an absolute heater about a month ago?
Yeah neither do I.
The guard has been far from what became his usual offensive output as he scrounged up just eight points against the Bears.
The Sooners were just a couple Austin Reaves or Kristian Doolittle shots away from pulling off the upset against Baylor but could not get either to get hot when the team needed them most.
If Oklahoma wants to string Big 12 wins together, Reaves needs to be a force on offense.
The Sooners are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 25 when they face off against Mississippi State at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City at 1p.m. The game has yet to be announced but will be on the ESPN network.
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