Three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 72-68 win over Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 72-68 win over Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night.

They performed well, but it has to better

Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Many will sing the praises for the job Lon Kruger and the team did in this game, and absolutely rightfully so, but they have to crank it up several levels if they want to have any chance of knocking off No. 1 Gonzaga on Monday.

The Bulldogs are undefeated and have been widely looked at as the best team in the country since the very beginning of the season. They are an incredible group where it is national title or bust.

For the Sooners to have a shot, they need to have their A++ game when they collide in the second round. Without De’Vion Harmon, Austin Reaves and Brady Manek need to have the offensive game of their seasons and the defense as a whole has to be top notch.

They have to force turnovers, they have to avoid mistakes, they have to make free throws and then some. Everything must be borderline perfect to get the job done against Mark Few’s club.

This game was good – but it has to be so much better to be the Bulldogs.