Big 12 Basketball: WVU falls, OK State rises heading into conference tournament
By Andrew Tineo
7. team. 464. . 14-9 (9-8). Previous: 6th. Sooners
Previous Games: 75-79 loss at. Oklahoma State, 65-69 loss vs. Texas
Since the beginning of February, Oklahoma stumbled near the end. After a shocking upset loss to Kansas State, Oklahoma would get swept by Oklahoma State on Monday.
The Sooners have continued to neglect to use their bench as a boost, with the three players that entered the game, getting a total of 20 minutes. Manek and Reaves were able to carry the workload with 20 and 19 points respectively.
Being swept by the Cowboys did a little more as on Thursday, Oklahoma was upended by Texas in Norman. Oklahoma never had a grasp of control in the game, as they were down as much as 14 at one point.
The Sooners were able to cut the deficit to two, after an Alondes Williams layup. However, a Matt Coleman jumper would stretch the lead for the Longhorns to four.
Oklahoma did not shoot the ball well, with a 37/28/77 split. Throughout the night, Oklahoma could not neutralize Jericho Sims down low as he finished with an efficient 8-10 from the floor.
Manek was unable to play a ton of minutes, even if he finished with 13 points in just 24 minutes played. Reaves did not play well and Umoja Gibson has been sliding, since the Sooners started to do so. He had just three points on five shot attempts, all of which being three-pointers.
After the impressive stretch of four straight Top 25 wins, including one over SEC Champion Alabama, it looked Oklahoma was destined to compete with Baylor. However, the Sooners walk into the Big 12 Tournament, limping, and hoping for a reboot as the NCAA Tournament awaits them.