ABOUT OKLAHOMA (26-7): This matchup could quickly evolve into a long-range shooting contest and the Sooners should be well prepared for that scenario, as Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard are each shooting over 42 percent from 3-point distance this season. Hield quickly drained a 3-pointer to give his team some sign of life, and then after a Rams’ defender made a decision to gamble for a steal on OU’s next possession, Hield quickly gathered himself and knocked down his second three in as many possessions.
Advertisement
“We’ve been playing in close games all year, in the Big 12 and even non-conference”, Hield said.
And ultimately he propelled second-seeded Oklahoma to the Sweet 16 with an 85-81 victory Sunday over the 10th-seeded Rams at the Oklahoma City Regional.
Through the first weekend of the tournament, it was the best individual performance we’ve seen yet, and OU is back in the Sweet 16, where its last tournament run ended at the hands of Valentine and Michigan State, who made a Final Four run past year.
Buddy Hield started slow, but came through for the Oklahoma Sooners when they needed him. The duo was a combined 18 of 37 from the field.
The second half started with back-to-back three’s for Johnson, and the Rams used two separate runs of 7-0 and 8-0 to claw back into the game. Mo Alie-Cox played well for VCU, accounting for 20 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
Hield, the nation’s No. 2 scorer, posted at least 30 points for the 11th time this season.
VCU led 65-63 when Hield scored eight points in 1:53, including two 3-pointers, to put the Sooners ahead for good. Oklahoma jumped out to a 21-7 lead over the Rams despite the fact Hield, who averages 25 points per game, did not have one of those 21 points. But it wasn’t enough to hold back Hield and the Sooners. On the season, they’re just 12-19 against the spread with a 2-8 record in their past 10 games and 8-17 as the favorite.
“This is the best one because it means a lot”, Hield said, “because it’s the NCAA Tournament, big stage, win or go home”. Outrebounded VCU 25-13 in the first half….
VCU has much to contend with when they meet Oklahoma on Sunday.
“I feel like their fans are disappointed when they hit a ‘two, ‘ ” Wade said.
Advertisement
But Hield found his shot and the confidence that allows him to rip the nets from seemingly anywhere inside the half-court stripe and the Sooners are on their way to Anaheim for a meeting with Texas A&M.
