- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 404,889
- Reaction score
- 43
RALEIGH, N.C. — As the final seconds rolled off the clock, Jeremiah Fears hung his head as his teammates consoled him.
The projected NBA lottery pick was sensational Friday night but even the true freshman point guard who pulled seemed to pull off every magical play when Oklahoma needed it this season, couldn't lead the Sooners past their poor shooting night.
The Sooners fell to UConn 67-59 Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center, ending their season. The Huskies will face No. 1-seeded Florida in the second round on Sunday.
Fears finished with a game-high 20 points and grabbed five rebounds while dishing four assists. Senior forward Jalon Moore added 13.
OU shot just 32% from the field and 18% from 3.
Here are three brief takeaways from the Sooners' season-ending loss:
REQUIRED READING: Inside Porter Moser's four-year journey back to March Madness with Oklahoma basketball
Fears had the nation marveling at his obvious talent on Friday.
Despite falling short, Fears dazzled with spin moves, no-look passes and deep 3s.
Even ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was impressed. "I DO KNOW there is a star who’s busted onto the scene. His name is Jeremiah Fears," Smith posted on X. "This brother is something special."
Fears' Sooners career is likely over as he heads to the NBA Draft.
More: With Jeremiah Fears, 'anything is possible' for OU basketball in NCAA Tournament
Mo Wague was all over the floor in the second half.
Falling hard on the floor, flying out of nowhere for rebounds and finishing tough buckets down low. From 10:40 to 9:03 in the second half, he led a 5-0 run, giving the Sooners a one-point lead.
Wague, who has started OU's last four games with starting big Sam Godwin out with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, finished with nine points and 12 rebounds on Friday night.
The Alabama transfer's increased role has also come with obstacles as he's currently fasting while observing Ramadan. Wague tied a career-high with 12 points in the Sooners' win over Georgia in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
MUSSATTO: Porter Moser saved his job and OU basketball from lose-lose decision | Mussatto
Neither the Sooners or the Huskies could buy a basket in the first half.
OU shot 29% on 7 of 24 attempts in the period. OU's defense kept it in the game, however, forcing 12 total turnovers and limiting UConn to 43% shooting.
On the defensive end, it was like the Sooners knew Huskies coach Dan Hurley's play calls. They called most of them out and were in passing lanes and made most of the correct reads.
Despite struggling to shoot efficiently, OU shot 12 for 14 from the free throw line in the second half, helping it nearly pull off an upset.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU basketball season ends as UConn holds on in March Madness opener
Continue reading...
The projected NBA lottery pick was sensational Friday night but even the true freshman point guard who pulled seemed to pull off every magical play when Oklahoma needed it this season, couldn't lead the Sooners past their poor shooting night.
The Sooners fell to UConn 67-59 Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center, ending their season. The Huskies will face No. 1-seeded Florida in the second round on Sunday.
Fears finished with a game-high 20 points and grabbed five rebounds while dishing four assists. Senior forward Jalon Moore added 13.
OU shot just 32% from the field and 18% from 3.
Here are three brief takeaways from the Sooners' season-ending loss:
REQUIRED READING: Inside Porter Moser's four-year journey back to March Madness with Oklahoma basketball
Jeremiah Fears puts on March Madness show in loss
Fears had the nation marveling at his obvious talent on Friday.
Despite falling short, Fears dazzled with spin moves, no-look passes and deep 3s.
Even ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was impressed. "I DO KNOW there is a star who’s busted onto the scene. His name is Jeremiah Fears," Smith posted on X. "This brother is something special."
Fears' Sooners career is likely over as he heads to the NBA Draft.
More: With Jeremiah Fears, 'anything is possible' for OU basketball in NCAA Tournament
You must be registered for see images
Mo Wague: effort guy
Mo Wague was all over the floor in the second half.
Falling hard on the floor, flying out of nowhere for rebounds and finishing tough buckets down low. From 10:40 to 9:03 in the second half, he led a 5-0 run, giving the Sooners a one-point lead.
Wague, who has started OU's last four games with starting big Sam Godwin out with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, finished with nine points and 12 rebounds on Friday night.
The Alabama transfer's increased role has also come with obstacles as he's currently fasting while observing Ramadan. Wague tied a career-high with 12 points in the Sooners' win over Georgia in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
MUSSATTO: Porter Moser saved his job and OU basketball from lose-lose decision | Mussatto
You must be registered for see images
Oklahoma falls short to UConn in defensive battle
Neither the Sooners or the Huskies could buy a basket in the first half.
OU shot 29% on 7 of 24 attempts in the period. OU's defense kept it in the game, however, forcing 12 total turnovers and limiting UConn to 43% shooting.
On the defensive end, it was like the Sooners knew Huskies coach Dan Hurley's play calls. They called most of them out and were in passing lanes and made most of the correct reads.
Despite struggling to shoot efficiently, OU shot 12 for 14 from the free throw line in the second half, helping it nearly pull off an upset.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU basketball season ends as UConn holds on in March Madness opener
Continue reading...
