Oklahoma Sooners embarrassed themselves just when it all started to look like it was back on track
The Sooners laid an egg against Mississippi State.
The Oklahoma Sooners’ men’s basketball team looked like they had finally gotten themselves together on the hardwood. OU had just beaten the Ole Miss Rebels by 16 points, and the offense came alive in the second half. Against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the offense struggled, and the defense was just blatantly bad. They have reverted completely back to what they were doing, just when everyone thought the issues they had were fixed.
The Sooners have struggled at times this year to put points on the board, going through stretches where they just can’t seem to put the ball in the hoop. Nigel Pack and Xzayvier Brown are one of the best scoring duos in the backcourt in the country. When they don’t score the ball well, it’s tough for the team as a whole to get going. They are the engine for that part of the team. Brown and Pack average 39 points per game, and on Wednesday, they scored just 24. From the very first jumpshot of the game, with Pack missing a mid-range pull-up jumper he makes in his sleep, you could tell it would be a long night for the Sooners.
Of course, scoring woes weren’t the only issues that OU ran into. They ran into a buzzsaw of a scorer in Josh Hubbard, who may be one of the best players in the country right now. They couldn’t stop him. Hubbard is making OU’s life hell on defense, making everything else hard on offense. His making defender work meant they were usually exhausted on offense, and you often saw that in their play.
This game almost completely sets the Sooners back. They were on a path to showing just how great a team they could be. However, an MSU squad that is obviously much better than its record shows had a great game.
Mississippi State may have the best player in the SEC in Josh Hubbard
Two SEC games – two Josh Hubbard takeovers. The Mississippi State point guard was unbelievable yet again after his 38-point performance against Texas to open conference play. He totaled 30 points and shot 50% from the field in the win over the Sooners. The biggest difference in this matchup for the Bulldogs was their defense, though. Strong, gritty defense has been the DNA for Chris Jans-led teams in the past, but it hasn’t been the case often for State so far this season.
Achor Achor was a physical presence who led the team in rebounds. Freshman Jamarion Davis-Fleming may have been the biggest unexpected bright spot, though. JDF totaled 8 points and 10 rebounds while playing incredible defense down low. He may not have a massive frame, but he played like a veteran – rather than a first-year contributor.
MSU connected on just two (!!) 3-pointers in this victory, so it was crystal clear that they dominated the post game on both ends as well. After an inconsistent non-conference slate, it has been a strong start for Jans’ team against SEC foes. Let’s see if they can keep it going. – Adam Holt, A to Z Sports College Sports Analyst
Oklahoma Sooners News
Newest transfer portal addition for Oklahoma Sooners is exactly what the doctor ordered to help John Mateer, Sooners’ offense next season
The Oklahoma Sooners adding wide receiver Trell Harris out of the transfer portal is a seamless fit for the offense next season.
