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NCAA Basketball: Michigan’s struggles, a sleeper pick and more weekly takeaways

By Brian Rauf

MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines argues a call with referee Lewis Garrison in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on January 19, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines argues a call with referee Lewis Garrison in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on January 19, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 19: Christian James #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners holds on to the ball as Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns defends him at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 19: Christian James #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners holds on to the ball as Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns defends him at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

7) Oklahoma‘s downfall

Remember when Oklahoma was 11-1, ranked in the top 25, and everyone thought they were better without Trae Young?

I cautioned that a major drop off was coming from the Sooners – and here we are.

Oklahoma’s 79-71 loss to West Virginia on Saturday marked their fourth loss in their last six games and dropped them to 3-6 in conference play. That puts them only one game ahead of the last-place Mountaineers, who they just lost to.

So what exactly has happened to the Sooners? Christian James, their leading scorer, has seen a significant drop off in his efficiency and production. But virtually everyone on the roster has seen a decrease in their shooting percentage, too.

The other big area that has failed OU is their defense. They started the year by holding seven of their first 12 opponents under 70 points. Oklahoma has only accomplished that feat four times in conference play and, unsurprisingly, they’re 3-1 in those games.

I just don’t see the talent on this team to be able to turn it around, especially considering the fact they are 3-6 against teams ranked in the KenPom top 50.

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