Tag: Oklahoma Basketball

Instant reaction to No. 13 Texas A&M’s 75-68 win over Oklahoma on Tuesday night

Texas A&M’s elite rebounding and free throw shooting led to Tuesday night’s big win over Oklahoma

No. 13 Texas A&M (16-5, 5-3 SEC) returned to Reed Arena after a two-game road trip last week, facing an Oklahoma team (15-5, 2-4 SEC) that entered on a two-game winning streak, looking to seek some revenge of the Aggies defeated the Sooners 80-78 earlier this month.

Entering the game, it was revealed that starting forward Solomon Washington would miss the matchup due to an ankle injury suffered in Saturday’s loss to Texas. Coach Buzz Williams opted to start forward Pharrel Payne in his place.

While depth was an issue, Payne’s size and efficiency in the paint led to the Aggies finding him down low early and often to establish what many Aggie fans call “Buzz ball” due to A&M’s tough defense and rebounding amid poor shooting performances.

Well, it was that kind of night, as the Aggies finished 37.5% from the field and 16% from 3-point range, but thanks to a collective effort from the guard trio of Wade Taylor IV (12 points), Manny Obaseki (10 points) and Zhuric Phelps (15 points), Texas A&M’s offense relied on getting fouled and heading to the free throw line.

While the team currently sits in last place in the SEC with a 67% average from the stripe, Texas A&M finished an impressive 29-35 free throw line, which ultimately won the game amid Oklahoma’s ten three-pointers, led by Bryce Goodine’s game-high 24 points, after scoring a career-high 34 points and nine 3-pointers against the Aggies in their first meeting.

Texas A&M out-rebounded Oklahoma 47-19, including 21 offensive rebounds in one of the more one-sided rebounding performances in SEC play.

With the win, Texas A&M has moved to fifth place in the SEC standings.

GAME NOTES:

  • Forward Pharrel Payne finished with a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds)
  • Texas A&M outrebounded Oklahoma 47-19
  • Wade Taylor IV amassed 200 steals in his Texas A&M career
  • 37.5% FG / 16.7% 3PT / 82.9% FT

Texas A&M will face South Carolina on the road on Feb. 4th at 7:30 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

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Here is the latest SEC availability report ahead of No. 13 Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma

Texas A&M forward Solomon Washington is questionable to play on Tuesday night

No. 13 Texas A&M (15-5, 4-3 SEC) will host Oklahoma (15-4, 2-3 SEC) on Tuesday night, three days after the Aggies’ heartbreaking loss to Texas after leading the Longhorns by 22 points in the second half, only to allow the largest comeback of the season thus far.

While the loss was undoubtedly a disappointment, especially after shooting over 50% from the fielding and matching a season-high 12 3-pointers, the Aggies are entirely focused on facing a Sooner team that finished 2-0 in SEC play and have improved defensively.

Since the return of star point guard Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M has not dealt with any injury issues. However, after starting forward Solomon Washington tweaked his ankle in the second half against the Longhorns, Monday’s SEC availability report revealed that the junior’s injury is more than minor.

Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams doesn’t place much stock in availability reports, but Washington is listed as questionable, and Oklahoma’s roster is 100% healthy ahead of Tuesday.

Washington returned to the lineup on Saturday after hurting his ankle. While he looked hobbled, this is one of the toughest players in the program, with a history of playing through physical adversity.

Texas A&M will return to Reed Arena to host Oklahoma on Jan. 28 at 8:00 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

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ESPN FPI predicts No. 13 Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma on Tuesday night

Here is how ESPN FPI is predicting Texas A&M’ Tuesday night home matchup vs. Oklahoma

After falling to rival Texas in the final seconds of Saturday’s road matchup, Texas A&M (15-5, 4-3 SEC) kept its No. 13 ranking in the latest AP Top 25 update. The Aggies are in a great position heading into week 13, set to host Oklahoma on Tuesday night.

Tied with five teams in the SEC standings at 4-3, coach Buzz Williams took full blame for A&M’s 70-69 loss to the Longhorns, knowing that after building a 22-point lead in the second half, allowing the home team to storm back, including freshman guard Tre Johnson’s career-high 30 points, fell at his feet.

Sustaining significant leads has been an issue for the Aggies this season. While they were able to hang on in all but two games during nonconference play, Saturday’s loss is a lesson for a team that needs to keep its foot on the gas when large leads are built.

Oklahoma finished 2-0 last week, defeating South Carolina and Arkansas, the worst teams in the conference. Still, the Aggies know that the Sooners are a skilled team with plenty of talent looking to earn an SEC road win after Texas A&M defeated Oklahoma 80-78 behind senior guard Zhuric Phelps‘ heroic performance.

Before the game, here is how ESPN FPI is predicting the matchup:

ESPN FPI:

Texas A&M: 79.4% chance to win

Oklahoma: 20.6% chance to win

Texas A&M is a significant improvement home favorite, only losing one home game all season after falling to Alabama earlier this month. However, replicating their first-half performance against Texas is key, even though that is highly unlikely given the Aggies’ lack of offensive consistency.

Texas A&M will return to Reed Arena to host Oklahoma on Jan. 28 at 8:00 p.m. CST. The game can be watched on the SEC Network.

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It’s time to rank Georgia basketball

The UGA basketball team deserves to be ranked after earning a second straight ranked win

The Georgia Bulldogs basketball team needs to be ranked. Georgia is 14-2 and secured a pair of top-20 wins during the week.

On Saturday, Georgia defeated the No. 17 Oklahoma Sooners, 72-62, in the Bulldogs’ latest ranked win. Georgia beat No. 6 Kentucky in the week.

UGA basketball has not had back-to-back wins against ranked opponents since 2006-2007. Georgia is looking like an NCAA Tournament team so far. Through games of Jan. 10, Georgia had the 28 NET ranking. That figures to go up after it beat Oklahoma (13-3). The Sooners are 0-3 in SEC play after starting the year 13-0.

“Our detail was good. Our mental toughness was very good,” said Georgia basketball coach Mike White after the win. “We were locked in the other day (against Kentucky). So again, it was the response for a young team after beating number six. It was pretty good; it needs to be great. Coming into this week, it’s got to be great.”

Georgia’s next game is on Wednesday (Jan. 15) against No. 1 Tennessee. The SEC is in the middle of a very strong year and it will not get any easier for Georgia.

“If that were to happen (being ranked), I’d be happy for our fans. I don’t really care. I want to reach our potential and reach our ceiling and continue to get better and prepare well for this next one. If it happens or it doesn’t happen, we’re still going to talk about how we handle today’s success,” said White.

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Entering the Oklahoma game, Georgia was a No. 9 seed in ESPN’s latest bracketology, so UGA is no lock for the NCAA Tournament. The Dawgs need to win half their games in SEC play to feel confident about making March Madness.

Texas A&M G Zhuric Phelps’ career night against Oklahoma was one for the ages

Texas A&M’s double-digit second-half deficit against Oklahoma disappeared behind a career performance from senior guard Zhuric Phelps

After three seasons at SMU, senior guard Zhuric Phelps shifted to Texas A&M to continue his college career. For the Midland, Texas native, this decision stands out as one of the wisest he has made throughout his playing journey.

Amid Texas A&M’s 12-2 start to the 2024-2025 season, Phelp’s impact was significant outside of missing the season-opening loss to UCF, as the senior is second on the team with 13.3 PPG, only trailing star guard Wade Taylor IV (15.7).

After leading the Aggies with 18 points in Saturday’s win over the Texas Longhorns, Phelp’s role became even more critical this week before facing No. 17 Oklahoma on the road. Wade Taylor would miss his second game of the year, putting a hole in the Aggie offense.

Knowing that Taylor’s three-point shooting and clutch production would be sorely missed, Texas A&M’s offense was stagnant and disjointed. At the same time, Oklahoma’s senior guard, Brycen Goodine, displayed his best Steph Curry impression, shredding the Aggies from deep and finishing 9-11 from beyond the arc for a career-high 34 points.

After trailing by double digits, including an 18-point deficit in the second half, Phelps transformed into a powerhouse. Despite scoring only six points and shooting 2-11 in the first half, he erupted in the second, scoring 28 points and hitting 6-11 from three-point range, ultimately tying with Goodine for a career-high 34 points.

However, nothing matched the excitement of Phelps’ game-sealing three-pointer, looking like a young James Hardin, tripping up Sooners forward Glenn Taylor Jr. and sending a message to the rest of the SEC: The Aggies are one of the hottest teams in the country, with, and without Wade Taylor IV.

After defeating Oklahoma 80-78, No. 10 Texas A&M will host No. 5 Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 11. The game will air on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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ESPN FPI Predicts No. 13 Texas A&M’s road test vs. No. 12 Oklahoma

ESPN FPI predicts how the Aggies will fare against Oklahoma on the road this week

Texas A&M (12-2) is on a seven-game winning streak after defeating rival Texas in a blowout 80-60 on Saturday night, as the Aggies look like one of the best teams in the country, mainly due to an elite defensive effort that limited the Longhorns to 34% from the floor, and 7-26 from beyond the arc.

This week, the Aggies will face Oklahoma for their first SEC road test of the season, knowing that a win in Norman would put them in a great position to at least split the upcoming matchups against Alabama and Kentucky.

Texas A&M’s success isn’t a fluke. Coach Buzz Williams has assembled his best team, mainly due to the returning veterans and the offseason transfer portal additions, including guard Zhurich Phelps and forward Pharrel Payne.

Phelps and Payne combined for 33 points and 12 rebounds in Saturday’s win, and will be a big part of the Aggies’ gameplan against the Sooners. Before heading on the road for Wednesday’s matchup, here is how ESPN FPI is predicting the matchup:

ESPN FPI:

Texas A&M: 54.7% chance to win

Oklahoma: 45.3% chance to win

It may sound surprising that the Aggies are road favorites, but after Oklahoma fell 107-79 on the road against Alabama on Saturday, A&M’s defense will likely travel and keep the Sooners’ shooting at bay.

Texas A&M will head to Norman to face Oklahoma on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

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Latest 2025 NBA mock draft from Bleacher Report has Jeremiah Fears as a top-5 pick

This is one of the best freshmen in college basketball.

Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are the two most coveted prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, but Jeremiah Fears is entering the conversation as well.

The freshman at Oklahoma is having a sensational first year of college basketball, currently averaging 18.1 points and with 4.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

While he is the youngest American prospect in this class aside from Flagg, he is also one of the most productive. Fears currently has the highest usage rate of any freshman in college basketball, per Bart Torvik, and it has led so such incredible success.

Here is more from Jonathan Wasserman on why Fears is now projected at No. 4 overall to the Charlotte Hornets in his latest mock draft (via Bleacher Report):

“Jeremiah Fears just moves differently with the ball. He’s been highly convincing with the way he’s able to create advantages, particularly in the half court using quick-dribble moves, burst and explosiveness around the basket.

There are questions about his shooting and decision-making for a projected lead guard, but Fears doesn’t turn 19 until next October. He’ll earn a semi-pass from scouts for the inconsistency and turnovers. At his age, with how dangerous he is off the dribble, his 15 threes through 12 games, strong mid-range pull-up and floater and 31.4 assist percentage should highlight enough shotmaking and playmaking capability to bet on long term.”

Already with some wild highlights under his belt, he is providing positive impact on both sides of the ball.

JEREMIAH FEARS: His gutsy 4-point play helped Oklahoma stay undefeated

Wasserman compared Fears to Russell Westbrook and Jaden Ivey as his NBA comparisons.

Fears can score at multiple levels from the floor, currently shooting 67.7 percent at the rim and 45.7 percent from midrange. He is a tremendously valuable defensive playmaker as well.

It is unlikely a player like him will have to wait long to hear his name called on draft night.

Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.

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Oklahoma Sooners add 4-star power forward to 2025 class

The Oklahoma Sooners add 2025 four-star power forward Andreas Holst for the 2025 recruiting class.

Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners added another big-time prospect to the 2025 recruiting class, earning a commitment from Danish four-star power forward Andreas Holst.

Holst is a 7-footer that has the ability to stretch the floor, play off the dribble, and is really good in transition. He’s considered the No. 54 player in the 2025 recruiting class and joins fellow four-star forward prospect Alec Blair.

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Holst has a really nice spot up jumper and shows off good range. He runs the floor well and displays good touch around the basket. Holst shows good basketball awareness and is effective without the ball in his hands as a backside cutter.

He’ll need to continue to add to his frame to play at the collegiate level in the US, but he’s a skilled player that will make a huge impact on the Oklahoma Sooners offense.

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Oklahoma basketball earns commitment from 2025 four-star wing Alec Blair

Oklahoma lands elite dual-sport athlete in Alec Blair.

[autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag] has had an incredibly fun end of July. On Tuesday evening, Moser’s July grew a bit brighter as the Sooners landed a commitment from four-star wing Alec Blair.

The top-50 junior is one of the best dual-sport athletes in the country. Alec plays at De La Salle High in Concord, California. He is a bit of a rarity as he is a top-notch baseball player and a star on the basketball court.

He’s an intriguing prospect on the court who uses his length and advanced knowledge of the game to attack defenses and create opportunities for others. It would not be shocking to see him play point forward or point guard in college. He’s that much of a talented facilitator.

He chose Oklahoma over offers to play at California, Clemson, Notre Dame and USC.

The Sooners offered him back in September 2023, and his relationships with Clayton Custer and head coach Porter Moser, along with his chats with the OU baseball team, led him to Norman.

He is a rangy outfield prospect with power to all fields on the diamond. As he continues to get stronger and matures physically, his upside as a lefty power bat should skyrocket. The MLB is always looking for lefty power, so it’s easy to see why he’s becoming a coveted prospect.

In January, Blair Blair spoke with Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports (subscription required) about his future as a two-sport athlete. “I have not made a decision in terms of if I want to play both sports or if I just want to play baseball,” Blair said. “I love basketball. Playing both sports would be a cool opportunity because it is very unique when discussing the sports I am playing.”

By landing Blair, Oklahoma has the No. 19 recruiting class for 2025. Blair is the No. 10 prospect in the 247Sports composite and the 38th-ranked overall prospect according to 247Sports 2025 basketball rankings. He is the No. 4 prospect in the state of California prospect.

It seems things are going to work out either way for Oklahoma athletics. The Sooners landed one of the nation’s best athletes, who will play basketball, baseball, or both in Norman, Oklahoma.

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‘Horns down the Sooners, 94-80

Texas reached 20 wins to cap the regular season with a win over Oklahoma.

For the third consecutive year, the Texas Longhorns swept the Oklahoma Sooners on the basketball court. It was the Longhorns’ seventh consecutive win over their hoops rival.

The win turns up the heat on Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser who has yet to beat Texas since taking over in Norman.

Texas head coach Rodney Terry took pressure off himself getting to the 20-win mark for the season. His team did so for the most part without reliance on three point baskets.

The Longhorns attempted 12 three-point shots making six of them. Consequently, Texas made 63.5% of its field goals and scored 94 points. The high scoring output was bolstered by a 22-for-23 performance from the free throw line.

The high field goal percentage and volume of free throw attempts are perhaps a result of more two-point shot attempts. Perhaps, for a program who isn’t afraid to shoot from long range, the team might have found a more efficient way to score given its personnel.

Texas isn’t loaded with three point scorers, but that doesn’t mean it lacks scorers altogether. The scoring output was well distributed on Saturday.

Veteran guard Tyrese Hunter led the scoring for the Longhorns with 30 points on 13 shot attempts. By comparison, fellow guard Max Abmas put up 11 points on 13 shot attempts.

Forward Dylan Disu added 16 points in post-injury action while Dillon Mitchell scored 14 points off the bench. Texas reserves Chendall Weaver and Kaden Shedrick put up nine and eight points respectively.

The Longhorns will look to follow one of their more complete offensive performances with a win in the Big 12 tournament.