Sooners Basketball – Page 10 – Syndication Server

Oklahoma’s Kristian Doolittle named Big 12 Player of the Week for the second time this season

Oklahoma forward Kristian Doolittle was named Big 12 player of the week after averaging a double-double.

Doolittle was the only #Big12MBB player to average 1️⃣5️⃣+ points and 🔟+ rebounds last week.

He leads the Conference in scoring during the month of December with 2️⃣0️⃣.8️⃣ points.

Kristian Doolittle (@kristiandoolit1) is the Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/T5BK2xMwPZ

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 23, 2019

Doolittle is averaging 16.7 points per game for the season and 18.3 points per game over the Sooners’ last three games. Accompanied by an 8.9 rebound per game average on the season and 10 boards per game over his last three, Doolittle has been a bright spot in Oklahoma’s early-season struggles.

Doolittle was named most improved player in the Big 12 following the 2018-19 season and so far, it appears he has continued to build off of his award-winning junior season. Hitting double-digit points in all but one of his games played (Stanford, 4 points), Doolittle has been a huge factor in the Sooners offense.

Leading not only Oklahoma but the entire conference in scoring average in the month of December has validated Doolittle’s growth as a player. Averaging 9.1 points his freshman year, 2.9 in an injury-riddled sophomore campaign and 11.3 last year, Doolittle has exploded offensively, quickly becoming a guy opponents are forced to respect no matter where he is on the floor.

Oklahoma’s next game is Monday, Dec. 30 as they host Texas Rio Grande Valley at 6:00p.m. CT.

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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 keys for Oklahoma basketball against Central Florida

Oklahoma (7-3) plays host for the first time in a month as Central Florida (9-2) trades warm, sunny Orlando for the chilly plains of Norman.

Following a tough 83-73 loSs to Creighton (9-2) on Tuesday, the Sooners find themselves clawing for momentum as Big 12 conference play lurks at the turn of the new year. Here are three keys Oklahoma needs in order to get back on track.

TAKE THE LID OFF

It sounds obvious but if the Sooners could simply make shots on a consistent basis, they would be much better off. Oklahoma needs to get hot and get hot early. Being back home for the first time since Nov. 21, the Sooners should be able to shoot much better in their friendly confines. Shooting 33% as a team against Creighton and 37% against Wichita State, Oklahoma needs to find better looks in order to keep themselves out of a losing streak.

INVOLVE THE BACKCOURT

A large part of the Sooners’ woes of late is due to the lack of shots being knocked down by the guards. Jamal Bieniemy and De’Vion Harmon have to make shots in order for the ball to find the open man and good looks. Both Bieniemy and Harmon were ice cold against Creighton with Harmon going 1-7 (1-5 3PT) and Bieniemy chalking up an 0-8 shooting performance. Kristian Doolittle, Brady Manek and Austin Reaves can only take the team so far by themselves.

BRING YOUR OWN ENERGY

With the students out for the holiday break, the student section will be nearly barren. It will be important for the Sooners to bring their own energy to start hot. Just as Oklahoma has not played a game at the Lloyd Noble Center in a month, the Knights have not left Orlando in the month of December. If the Sooners can start hot, they have an opportunity to take UCF out of their element as the Knights knock the dust off their travel luggage.

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When, where, how to watch, how to stream Oklahoma-UCF

After losing by 10 to Creighton (9-2) on Tuesday, 83-73 the Sooners come home after a month of road games to take on their second…

After losing by 10 to Creighton (9-2) on Tuesday, 83-73 the Sooners (7-3) come home after a month of road games to take on their second American Conference opponent of the season in Central Florida (9-2).

After two consecutive shooting performances below 40% from the field, Oklahoma hopes to get back on track in the Lloyd Noble Center.

Against the Bluejays, the Sooners were ice cold outside of Austin Reaves, Brady Manek and Kristian Doolittle. The trio accounted for 61 of Oklahoma’s 73 points. The ball has to move around more if the Sooners want to build momentum towards Big 12 play which is lurking right around the corner.

If you cannot make it to the LNC, here’s how to catch the broadcast:

WHERE: Norman, Okla. (Lloyd Noble Center)

WHEN: 1:00 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: Fox Sports Oklahoma / Fox Sports Atlantic

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: Fox Sports App

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4 takeaways form Oklahoma’s 83-73 loss to Creighton

Oklahoma (7-3) dropped another on the road, losing to Creighton (9-2) 83 to 73.

Oklahoma (7-3) dropped another on the road, losing to Creighton (9-2) 83 to 73. The Sooners had three of their five scorers in double-digits but could only muster 12 total points outside of Brady Manek, Kristian Doolittle and Austin Reaves.

ONE-MAN SHOW

I think it’s fair to say that the Sooners are a one-man show so far this season. Kristan Doolittle’s performances this season are what is keeping Oklahoma above water. At the half, Doolittle had 13 of the Sooners’ 38 points and eight of the teams 19 rebounds. As the lone senior on the squad, Doolittle has shown great leadership but it seems to be falling on deaf ears so far. He finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds in 35 minutes.

DEFENSE NEEDS WORK

Stop me if you’ve heard this before but there’s a defensive problem in Norman. The Sooners lacked effort defensively and it showed. The eye test alone would tell you that Oklahoma is slow and sloppy. Transition points came very easy for Creighton, especially to start the second half. It seemed as though the only reason the Bluejays did not score was when they got in their own way.

In the second half, the Sooners were simply bullied by the Jays. Lose balls, rebounds, you name it, Creighton wanted it more than Oklahoma.

HARMON & BIENIEMY NON-EXISTENT

A combined 0-14 halfway through the second half, the backcourt duo of Jamal Bieniemy and De’Vion Harmon were essentially ghosts against Creighton. Harmon did not even have a recorded stat until 5:54 left in the second half when he made his first shot of the night. Harmon finished with three points on one of seven shooting in 22 minutes. Bieiemy tallied three rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes but was 0-8 from the floor.

CREIGHTON MADE IT RAIN

It was elementary for the Bluejays. They were not ran off the three-point line and made the Sooners pay for it. Coming into tonight, Creighton had made 10 or more three-pointers in eight of their 10 games. They continued the streak against Oklahoma making 12 of their 35 attempts.

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When, where, how to watch, how to stream Oklahoma-Creighton

Following an 80-75 loss to Wichita State (9-1) on Saturday, Oklahoma (7-2) looks to rebound against Creighton (8-2) tonight.

With the Sooners having just three remaining non-conference games before the Sooners host Kansas State to kick-off Big 12 play on Jan. 4, tonight’s matchup carries a lot of weight moving forward.

Kristian Doolittle continues to impress after a season-high 28 points against North Texas and 22 points against Wichita State. He, alongside Austin Reaves, lead the Sooners, averaging 16.8 and 17.1 points per game respectively.

Oklahoma played host to the Bluejays last year on Dec. 18 and beat them 83-70. The Sooners lead the all-time series 4-2. Tonight’s game is part of the inaugural Big 12/Big East Challenge.

Here is how to follow the Sooners on the road:

WHERE: Omaha, Neb.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: Fox Sports One

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: Fox Sports Go

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3 keys for Oklahoma against Creighton

Following a road loss to Wichita State (9-1), Oklahoma (7-2) squares off against Creighton (8-2) in Omaha.

START HOT

I know I sound like a broken record but the Sooners absolutely need to put a full 40 minutes together. Against the Shockers, Oklahoma was ice cold to start the game and down the stretch. The Sooners need to make shits early and often to gain confidence not just tonight, but for the rest of the season.

GET ON TRACK

Oklahoma has had a slow start to the season, allowing teams that have no business keeping the game close within striking range. The Sooners must put together a win against Creighton, no matter what. With an initial NET ranking at No. 37, the season is set to only get harder for Oklahoma. With a win tonight, no matter how they do it, it will bode well for the Sooners moving forward.

STAY HEALTHY

Obviously something everyone hopes for every game but with Big 12 play right around the corner, Oklahoma can not afford any injuries. Just two games separate the Sooners from the Big 12. As this team continues to mesh, staying healthy with be a major key to playing better.

Oklahoma and Creighton are set to tip-off at 7:30p.m. CT on Fox Sports One.

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Oklahoma debuts at No. 37 in initial NET rankings

Oklahoma (7-2), albeit a sluggish start to the 2019-20 season, is off to a solid start when it comes to the NET rankings.

NET is the NCAA’s replacement for the RPI ranking system and was implemented prior to last season (2018-19). It is a major component in the selection committee’s process when determining at-large bids and seeding in the NCAA Tournament and is updated daily.

Sitting at 7-2 and debuting at No. 37 bodes well for the Sooners. With a rigorous non-conference schedule and playing in arguably the toughest conference in the country, Oklahoma can stay above water by just simply winning. Like Al Davis famously said: “Just win, baby!”

The Sooners are the fifth highest-ranked team from the Big 12, sitting behind Kansas (No. 2), Baylor (No. 5), West Virginia (No. 12) and Texas Tech (No. 35). Other notable Big 12 schools include Oklahoma State at No. 41and No. 45 Texas before a sharp drop off with Iowa State coming in at No. 82, TCU at No. 87 and Kansas State at No. 131.

NET rankings do not reflect how good or bad a team is but rather use data and strength of schedule to formulate an adjusted ranking.

Oklahoma heads to Creighton on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Tip-off is set for 7:30p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1.

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3 takeaways from Oklahoma’s 80-75 loss to Wichita State

Oklahoma (7-2) came up cold against Wichita State (9-1), losing 80-75 on the road. Here are three takeaways from the loss.

reaves’ “homecoming”

Transfer junior, Austin Reaves was welcomed back to Wichita with a flurry of boos by the Shocker faithful when introduced pregame. Reaves played two seasons for Wichita State for two seasons before transferring to Oklahoma.

Reaves, much like the rest of the Sooners, started the game cold but hit key shots down the stretch to keep Oklahoma in it. Reaves finished with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.

LIDS REMAIN ON THE BASKETS

The Sooners continue to struggle to consistently hit shots, starting and ending the game colder than an arctic blast rolling through the Sooner State. Oklahoma shot a hair over 35% in both the first and second half with the three-point shot bailing them out and keeping things closer than they should have been. With Big 12 play quickly coming up, the Sooners will need to capitalize on open looks while also not settling for poor shots. Oklahoma finished the game shooting 37.5% from the floor and 45.2% from deep.

DEFENSE EXPOSED

The book may officially be out on the Sooners defense. Wichita State had too many second-chance opportunities and was able to capitalize on Oklahoma’s somewhat sloppy defense. The Shockers shot an average 40% from the floor but were able to weather the storm with 13 offensive rebounds and 35 defensive rebounds, keeping the tempo and momentum in their hands for the majority of the game.

Oklahoma’s next game comes Tuesday, Dec. 17 as Kruger’s squad heads to Omaha, Nebraska to take on Creighton. Tip-off is set for 7:30p.m. CT on Fox Sports 1.

3 keys for Oklahoma basketball against Wichita State

It has been nine days since we last saw Oklahoma (7-1) on the hardwood…

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.

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