Three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 87-71 loss to No. 1 Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament

Three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 87-71 loss at the hands of No. 1 Gonzaga on Monday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Austin Reaves, take a bow

If Austin Reaves elects to leave school and not return to Oklahoma again next season, what a way to close out his career this was. He belonged on the floor with the No. 1 team in the nation.

Like the rest of his team, his effort was off the charts and it felt like he was just simply going to put the team on his back to attempt to pull off the upset. There is no way anyone could have watched that game and not come away with the utmost respect for Reaves’ approach to the game and the way he plays.

His talents have been discussed a lot this season as he is an obvious great player as an All-Big 12 selection. But it was something special to see him go down swinging in the final game of the year.

If this is the end of the road for him in crimson and cream, he went out on a high note despite the loss.