Tag: Kur Kuath

3 takeaways from Oklahoma’s 53-52 win over UCF

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.

DOOLITTLE NEEDS TO DO A LOT

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.

IT IS FIXABLE

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.

THE DEFENSE STEPPED UP

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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3 takeaways from Oklahoma’s 77-66 win over Missouri

After a total disaster last night, losing to Stanford (8-0), 73-54, Oklahoma (6-1) came back tonight against Missouri (4-3)…

A tale of two nights.

After a total disaster last night, losing to Stanford (8-0), 73-54, Oklahoma (6-1) came back tonight against Missouri (4-3), dominating for the most part of the night and coming away with a 77-66 win.

Here are three takeaways from tonight’s Sooners performance.

REAVES IS FUN

Transfer junior guard, Austin Reaves is fun to watch but has to be a nightmare to guard. Leading all scorers with 19 points, Reaves torched torched the Tigers with 10 rebounds, three assists and a steal before fouling out late in the game.

Reaves’ production has been a catalyst for Oklahoma so far this season.

THE SOONERS FINALLY STARTED HOT

FINALLY.

Oklahoma had a night and day difference in shooting the ball from last night to tonight. After going scoreless for over six minutes against Stanford on Monday, Kruger’s crew came out shooting lights out.

Brady Manek was four of four from deep before the under 16 media timeout, giving him 12 points before the first commercial. Manek cooled off, finishing with 17 points, one rebound and one assist.

EVERYBODY SCORES

Okay, maybe not everybody but it was close.

Kur Kuath was the only Sooner tonight that saw the floor and did not score. Eight Oklahoma players recorded at least one point and four of those eight recorded 10 or more.

Having multiple guys that can put the ball in the basket will be a huge benefit as the season progresses. Unlike seasons past, if the Sooners have multiple guys that can put up 12 or more, Oklahoma will be in great shape come conference play as teams cannot key in on just one or two guys defensively.

The Sooners next game comes next Thursday, Dec. 5 on the road against North Texas. The broadcast can be found on Facebook via CBS Sports Network. Tip-off is set for 7p.m. CT.

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3 keys for Oklahoma basketball against Stanford

Oklahoma (5-0) heads north to take on Stanford (6-0) as part of the Hall of Fame Classic.

Oklahoma (5-0) heads north to take on Stanford (6-0) as part of the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, Kansas.

Both the Sooners and the Cardinal have two common opponents, with both beating William & Mary and Maryland Eastern Shore handily. With both teams coming in undefeated, here is what Oklahoma needs to do to keep their perfect record in tact.

START HOT

The Sooners have had a tough time getting into rhythm early. For Oklahoma to hang with a highly talented PAC-12 team, they need to hit shots early and match the energy that the Cardinal come out with from the start.

Head coach Lon Kruger and his staff have done a fantastic job of adjusting at halftime so far this season, but the Sooners have had to battle for wins that they should easily have cruised through over the first month of the 2019-20 campaign.

BE PHYSICAL

Playing physical is something that Oklahoma will have to do eventually, once Big 12 play begins. The Sooners have yet to show that they can use their size and athleticism on either end of the court.

Guys like Kristian Doolittle, Victor Iwuakor and Kur Kuath will be players to watch beginning tonight as they build towards becoming more physical.

REBOUND, REBOUND, REBOUND

In hand with playing physical, Oklahoma has to rebound well. The Sooners average 41.0 boards a game to the Cardinal’s 35.2. Tonight will be a much better test as to what Oklahoma will face the rest of the season.

Oklahoma and Stanford will tip-off at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN 2.

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3 takeaways from Oklahoma’s 91-64 win over Maryland Eastern Shore

Oklahoma (5-0) played host to Maryland Eastern Shore (0-6) in the second leg of the Hall of Fame Classic campus rounds.

Oklahoma (5-0) played host to Maryland Eastern Shore (0-6) in the second leg of the Hall of Fame Classic campus rounds. The Sooners let the Hawks hang around much longer than they wanted to but pulled away late, winning 91-64.

OKLAHOMA IS NOT A FIRST HALF TEAM

The Sooners continue to play lackluster basketball in the opening 20 minutes and struggle to find their stroke from the floor. Oklahoma trailed The Shore 38-37 heading into halftime. Maryland Eastern Shore averaged 52.8 points a game coming into Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners blew a 12-point lead in the closing 8:35 of the first half, allowing The Shore to take the lead with 32 seconds remaining in the half.

“We would like to play all 40 minutes, we haven’t done that yet,” head coach Lon Kruger told reporters postgame. “So that’s probably going to be the focus (over) the next couple days in practice.”

KUR KUATH IS A PAINT SEALER

Kur Kuath put on a shot blocking performance you only see on instructional DVDs.

Securing three of the team’s six blocks, Kuath drew the awe of the crowd each time he swatted a ball from the air.

As he develops, Kuath will be a defensive weapon for the Sooners in the paint. For what he lacks in physicality, he makes up for in length by tenfold. His ability to go up and get a ball has to make Lincoln Riley wanting him as his next pass catcher.

THIS TEAM IS CLOSE OFF THE COURT

With the game well in hand, Kruger sent out some of the walk ons. Keller Casey, Blake Seacat and Read Streller all recording minutes tonight. Streller, a Bartlesville, Oklahoma, native, recorded his first career points on two foul shots.

“He’s been here for two years, been an awesome teammate for us,” Manek said about Streller postgame. “I live with him so I see him all the time. He’s my boy. Big Read … he knocked them down like it was nothing.”

Coach Kruger quickly chimed in, telling Manek that he “might have to change the rules around the house now,” drawing a laugh from both reporters and his players.

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4 takeaways from Oklahoma’s 77-69 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.

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.

THIS TEAM IS FUN

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 a walking heat check

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.

KRISITAN DOOLITTLE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

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.

FULL TEAM WIN

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.

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