Kansas men’s college basketball game Monday night was an instant classic.
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The other had to lose.
The process was one of the greatest three-hour thrill rides in Big 12 Conference and, perhaps, college basketball history.
The game featured two Wichita stars.
Graham came through with the eventual game winners. The teams combined to make 27 three-pointers, 38 assists and finished almost the entire game without a player fouling out until Oklahoma’s Jordan Woodard picked up his fifth foul with 15 seconds left in the third overtime. “It was a grind both ways”.
Woodard’s final three-pointer gave the Sooners a 106-104 lead, and they still led 106-105 when Hield was stripped by Frank Mason III with 17 seconds left.
Carlton Bragg played 3 minutes, had 2 points, a rebound, and a turnover. It was the first 20-20 game for a Tar Heel since Tyler Zeller had 20 points and 22 rebounds against OH in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. He spent 51 minutes on the flour.
All Hield could think about after was his short-comings in a game where he didn’t have many. When KU needed their senior leader the most, Ellis stepped up with late baskets to tie the game at 75 and give KU a 77-75 lead with 43 seconds remaining.
Earlier in the day the polls were released, with Kansas number one in the Associated Press poll and Oklahoma #2. It was the first such meeting since 2007.
The fantastic back-and-forth included 13 ties and 13 lead changes.
Mason actually guarded Hield the second half. Selden poured in 21 points, despite playing limited minutes in the first half in foul trouble. Xavier Rathan-Mayes’ 30 points led Florida State (10-4, 0-2). We talked about the game itself and the controversial call at the end already. Eligibility-conqueror Perry Ellis led the Jayhawks with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Those rankings depended on which poll you were looking at yesterday as the USA Today Coaches Poll and BCSNN / USBWA Polls had the Sooners as the top-ranked team. “I’m just happy I made the free throws and was able to get a deflection and make the free throws at the end”.
KU trailed 106-105 when Landen Lucas batted the ball from Hield and Graham was fouled on the other end.
Youngstown State 100, Oakland 98: Jorden Kaufman made a tip-in with one second left and the visiting Penguins (6-9, 1-1) edged the Golden Grizzlies (9-6, 1-1).
It was the mountain the Sooners could not climb. “We beat a team that could win a national championship”.
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Of the crucial steal on the out of bounds play, Mason said: “Right before the play started the ref told me not to get close to the line”. I have no earthly idea how “good” the entire game was because I wasn’t born yet. “We knew we could do it. We had the crowd behind us and we never expect to lose at home”. I highly suggest you tune in. “It sucks I’m gonna leave here 0-4”. Kruger said. “I applaud Buddy for being persistent and staying after it and battling like he did”. When the ear drums heal, the voices return and the towels try out, that’s what will be remembered. Kansas and OU are now ranked one and two in the nation, respectively, so this match up is as good as it gets. The Jayhawks visit Lloyd Noble Center on February 13. Regardless of the loss, Hield’s decision to come back might’ve been the best thing No. 24 could’ve done for his draft stock, as he put up an unreal performance on a national stage. Maybe even a deciding bout in the Final Four. That individual mark stood for more than a half century before Hield, the Sooners’ sensational 6-5 All-American, equaled it on Monday night.
