3 takeaways from Oklahoma’s upset win over No.12 Kansas State: Sooners top Wildcats

All of the elements got here collectively for a large upset as Oklahoma (13-13, 3-10 SEC) took down No. 12 Kansas State 79-65 Tuesday in Norman.

The Sooners had 4 gamers end with double-figures with 20 factors from guard Grant Sherfield main the way in which. The victory snaps a seven-game shedding streak in convention play and punches OU’s second Top-15 win previously three weeks.

Here are three ideas from the Sooners’ effort in opposition to the Wildcats:

Second half scoring boosts upset

The Sooners’ greatest offensive effort is available in bursts, particularly early within the sport. It supplied a fraction of hope in opposition to Kansas on Saturday earlier than the window of alternative shortly closed. That was the case once more Tuesday night time.

A 9-2 scoring run bolstered confidence and compelled an early Okay-State timeout. Four totally different Sooners scored, and so they ran the ground effectively to create offense in transition. Wildcats coach Jerome Tang barely blinked as Kansas State went on an 11-0 run, primarily operating the offense by way of Oklahoma’s frontcourt within the paint.

Oklahoma did it once more within the second half, digging the Wildcats right into a a lot deeper gap. Three-straight 3-pointers prolonged the Sooners’ result in an at-the-time game-high of 10.

Coming into Tuesday, Kansas State was among the many greatest 3-point defenses within the nation, giving up just below 30 p.c. Tonight, Oklahoma confirmed their firepower, draining 11 threes at a 47 p.c clip.

Improved ball distribution key behind offensive flurry

A 9-2 scoring run to open the sport bolstered OU’s confidence and compelled an early Okay-State timeout. Although the Wildcats countered, it was a constructive step ahead to see the offensive begin going by way of each other.

Six of the group’s first seven subject objectives have been assisted, with Jalen Hill and Grant Sherfield having two apiece. In their earlier sport, Oklahoma had 5 assists whole within the sport.

Ball motion has been far from a energy this yr, ranked 2 hundredth in assists per sport, whereas ranked simply contained in the Top 100 in turnovers.

The Sooners completed with 36 factors within the first half, making 44.8 p.c of its pictures. Eight of the 13 makes have been assisted.

Hill and Uzan’s conference-play affect leaves imprint on season

Right at .500 on the season and tied for final place of convention play, it’s in all probability a secure assumption to say Oklahoma gained’t be taking part in previous the Big 12 Tournament, barring profitable the event. There might be an appreciation of the duo’s offensive breakout in league play, which has helped an offense that’s ranked last within the league in factors per sport.

After scoring in double-figures simply 4 occasions within the first 12 video games, Hill discovered himself in that spot once more eight occasions, together with tonight’s 12 factors.

Uzan was inserted into the beginning lineup close to the again half of non-conference play and it has paid dividends. He has been a constant scoring risk and a constructing piece for the Oklahoma program previous the rest of this season.

The Sooners will make a journey down south, Saturday at 1 p.m. for his or her first greeting at Moody Center in opposition to Texas.

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