The first big challenge of the years comes for Oklahoma and Gonzaga as they meet in Spokane; do the Sooners pull off a major upset or can the Bulldogs continue a hot start to the season?
TV schedule: Saturday, November 8, 10:30 pm ET. ESPN2
Arena: Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington
Oklahoma’s New Faces Making Early Impact
Last season was certainly a step in the right direction for Oklahoma (1-0) as the Sooners survived year one in the SEC and found themselves back in the Big Dance. However, it’s a crew of largely new faces leading the charge for Porter Moser this season. His Sooners looked great on opening night in a big win over Saint Francis, but how will they fare against stronger opposition?
While not a newcomer, the Sooners really need strong play in the paint from Mohamed Wague, who shined with 16 points and 10 rebounds on Monday. Among the new transfers, Xzayvier Brown (16 points, 6 assists) gets plenty of attention and will lead the charge this season, while Nijel Pack had 16 points himself in the win. The Sooners survived without Jadon Jones in the lineup in a solid team win.
You’re not finding Oklahoma in the preseason rankings, while the Sooners sit just 56th in the KenPom rankings at the moment. This lineup is definitely still a work in progress and this matchup will tell us a lot after that smooth sailing earlier in the week. Oklahoma really thrived scoring inside the arc but will that continue to be a strength for this steam?
Gonzaga Begins Another Run at National Glory
Not many are questioning Gonzaga (1-0) and their potential to be a national contender yet again. The Bulldogs made quick work in a 55-point win over Texas Southern on opening night and are looking to make quite a splash in their final season before joining the new Pac-12 next year.
We weren’t going to see every player at their best on opening night, but Graham Ike continues to look the part of a future All-American with 13 points and 11 rebounds in the opener. Tyon Grant-Foster, ruled eligible only weeks ago, led the scoring with 15 points and looks like a reliable veteran weapon for this group. The Gonzaga lineup is deep and full of talent at every position, so keep an eye on Braden Huff and Adam Miller, two other double-digit scorers from Monday night.
Ranked #21 to begin the season, KenPom is way higher on Gonzaga and has the Bulldogs sitting 8th in those rankings. It’s premature to make sweeping statements about this team after facing just one inferior opponent, but the Bulldogs looked really solid on both sides of the ball. They’ve shored up every position in the lineup and it’s all just a matter of Mark Few finding the rotations that work for success.
Keys to Victory
Things are still relatively in flux for the Sooners even after a great showing to open the season, meaning this could be quite the reality check for Moser’s squad. On the contrary, this Oklahoma team is quite hungry to prove that they belong and can be an SEC contender. Ike and Huff are dynamic frontcourt weapons, but Oklahoma is going to have to find a way to keep Wague and the rest of their talent productive inside the arc in order to win this game.
It certainly won’t be expected for the Sooners to come to Spokane and pull off this upset, especially with how some of these Gonzaga players looked in the opener. Even in a 55-point blowout, the Bulldogs are only scratching the surface of their potential and this matchup could be a great chance for players like Braeden Smith or Steele Venters to have their first prime moments of the new season. Ride with Gonzaga on their home court and a good start to the season.