The Oklahoma Sooners returned home and collected a third straight win on the hardwood. Earning an 82-72 victory over the North Texas Mean Green, Lon Kruger’s squad moves to 5-1 on the young season — no pun intended.
Utilizing elite court vision, Trae Young continues to star as a true freshman. Throughout the duration of the first half, the guard scored 11 points while dishing out four assists. Unable to pull away, the score remained tied at 38 each at the break. It was in this moment, Young decided to take over the responsibility of scoring.
Clearly it was time to break the zone defense of North Texas.
Securing a 9-0 run early in the second half, Young dropped in seven of those points. The effort brought the total up to 18 for the youngster who finished the game with a 32 point performance. Securing yet another double-double, Young also collected 10 dimes. In three home games, the freshman has produced a double-double in each. Fans truly have something to be excited by as Young makes the game easier for those around him.
Again, Khadeem Lattin seems to be benefiting the most from the play of the newest addition to the team. Pouring in 12 points, the forward ripped down nine boards. The effort left the most experience player on the floor just shy of another double-double on the year.
As a team, Oklahoma shot 64% from the floor in the second half. Yet, the defense struggled at times. Off to a sluggish start on the defensive end of the court, the Sooners allowed the Mean Green to connect on 50% of their attempts from the floor.
Moving forward, close out defense and chasing shooters off the three point line must remain the focus. It’s the second time a program has made Oklahoma uncomfortable with shooting. Of course, this is still a young team by all means and it’s forced to play with Kristian Doolittle. But, this team can realistically make the post season after failing to do so last year.