Just over a week ago Oklahoma was a Top 10 team. Just over a week ago the Sooners were projected as a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Just over a week ago Long Kruger’s name was being mentioned in coach of the year conversations. It’s been a long week!
Oklahoma has now followed up a terrible loss at Kansas State with back-to-back Bedlam losses and are riding a three-game losing streak as Texas prepares to come to Norman to close out the regular season on Thursday night.
The latest Sooner setback, a 79-75 Bedlam loss in Stillwater, is the second 4-point loss to Oklahoma State in a little more than 48 hours. At 9-7 in Big 12 play, OU has dropped down to the #6 spot in the conference standings. The Sooners are still on solid ground for an NCAA Tournament berth but they’re a lot closer to a #10 seed now than they are to a #2.
Game Defining Moment
Once again the Sooners let a second half lead slip away. After keeping Cowboy star Cade Cunningham at bay for over three-fourths of the game the future lottery pick converted two free throws at the 8:17 mark of the second half. He would end up scoring 12 points down the stretch for the Pokes, ultimately turning a 64-59 deficit into a 79-75 win as OSU outscored its Bedlam rival 20-11 over the final 7:44 seconds of the game.
Wait…What?
I just don’t know anymore. Anyone have a solid explination for this?
Where Was The Bench?
Two points! That’s all Oklahoma’s bench scored on Monday night. In a four-point loss you can typically find the missing points somewhere along the way pretty quickly. For example, you can look at OU’s 10-of-14 performance from the free throw line and find four points really quickly. However, the most damning indicator of the loss was that Jalen Hill, Kur Kuath, and Alondes Williams only attempted a total of two shots (both by Williams) in a combined 20 minutes of playing time.
Oklahoma State got 16 points, and 45 minutes of playing time, from its bench. Pretty easy to see where the problem was here.
The Problem Child
I’m not going to say that Oklahoma put the brakes on Cunningham but at least he didn’t go off for another career night. Instead it was Kalib Boone who nearly put together a double-double to power the Pokes to a win. Boone ended the night with team highs in points (17) and rebounds (9).
Hero Ball
Brady Manek nearly produced a double-double as well. Oklahoma’s senior forward scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down 9 rebounds, while also dishing out 4 assists, in the losing effort.
Up Next
The Sooners have one more shot to avoid limping into Kansas City on a losing streak. They will host Texas on Thursday night with the opening tip set for 8:00 (CT).
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