The Oklahoma Sooners are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021, looking to make a statement against the reigning back-to-back national champion UConn Huskies in a West Region first-round showdown. The No. 9-seeded Sooners (20-13, 6-12 SEC) will face off against the No. 8-seeded Huskies (23-10, 14-6 Big East) on Friday at 8:25 p.m. CT inside the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. The game will be televised on TNT, with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson on the call.
Scouting Oklahoma
Oklahoma enters the tournament on the heels of an up-and-down SEC campaign but has played some of its best basketball of late, winning four of its last seven games. Freshman sensation Jeremiah Fears leads the Sooners, averaging 17.0 points per game, while Jalon Moore adds 16.0 points and a team-high 5.8 rebounds per contest. The Sooners have been battle-tested, playing 21 games against NCAA Tournament teams this season, securing victories over nine of them, including Arkansas and Missouri from the West Region.
The Sooners boast one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country, leading the SEC at 79.4%, which could prove crucial in a tight game. They also defend the three-point line well, ranking 23rd nationally in opponent three-point percentage (.305), an area that could challenge a UConn team that relies on perimeter scoring.
Scouting UConn
UConn is a program built for March, entering this year’s tournament on a 12-game NCAA Tournament winning streak. The Huskies have a high-powered offense that ranks top-15 nationally in multiple metrics, led by sharpshooter Solo Ball (14.6 PPG, 42.2% 3PT), freshman standout Liam McNeeley (14.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG), and veteran Alex Karaban (14.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG).
One of UConn’s biggest strengths is their interior dominance. They lead the nation in blocked shots per game (6.4) and boast a formidable frontcourt led by Tarris Reed Jr. and Samson Johnson. The Huskies also have a strong rebounding presence, ranking in the top 20 nationally with a +6.3 rebounding margin, an area where Oklahoma must hold its own to stay competitive.
Keys to the Game
1. Containing Jeremiah Fears – The Sooners’ freshman guard has been on a tear, averaging 22.6 points per game over the last eight contests. If Fears can continue his hot streak, Oklahoma will have a chance to pull off the upset.
2. Battle on the Glass – UConn’s ability to control the boards could be a decisive factor. Oklahoma will need Moore and Mohamed Wague to step up in the rebounding department, especially with Sam Godwin’s status uncertain.
3. Free Throw Advantage – If the game comes down to late-game execution, Oklahoma’s elite free-throw shooting could be the difference-maker.
4. Three-Point Defense – UConn thrives on outside shooting, but Oklahoma’s ability to limit opponents from deep could make life difficult for the Huskies.
The History
This will be the fifth all-time meeting between Oklahoma and UConn, with the Sooners holding a 3-1 series lead. However, this is the first-ever NCAA Tournament matchup between the two programs. UConn is one of the most decorated teams in March Madness history, with six national championships, while Oklahoma is seeking its first title and sixth Final Four appearance.
What’s Next?
The winner of this game will advance to the second round on Sunday to face either No. 1 seed Florida or No. 16 seed Norfolk State.
The stage is set for a thrilling first-round battle in Raleigh. Can Oklahoma knock off the defending champions and make a deep tournament run, or will UConn’s experience and star power prove too much? Tip-off is set, and March Madness awaits.
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