3. #14 Jalon Moore, 6’7″, 222 lbs., Jr., F, Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia Tech Transfer
10.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 53.5 FG%, 41.2 3-PT FG%, 74.7 FT%, 11 ast.-40 TO, 28 blk, 17 stl, 24.5 mpg
Jan 20th @ Cincinnati: 9 pts, 10 rebs, 4-9 FG (1-2 3-PT FG), TO, 2 blk, stl, 32 mins
Moore has actually been ascending in scoring over the Sooners last 11 games. His scoring average is up over a point per game, and he has eight games shooting 50 percent or better from the field in that 11-game span. His rebounding is also up over half a board per game since January 20th, so he is definitely a player to watch in the Sooners frontcourt Tuesday night.
4. #12 Milos Uzan, 6’4″, 193 lbs., So., G, Las Vegas, Nevada
8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 38.9 FG%, 29.8 3-PT FG%, 69.7 FT%, 125 ast.-56 TO, 9 blk, 33 stl, 31.7 mpg
Jan 20th @ Cincinnati: 2 pts, 4 rebs, 3 ast, 1-6 FG, 2 TO, stl, 29 mins
Uzan leads the team in assists and is second on the team in steals, and we know those are two areas and stats to watch for in any game including Tuesday night.
5. #5 Rivaldo Soares, 6’6″, 215 lbs., Sr., G, Boston, Massachusetts, Oregon Transfer
8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 52.4 FG%, 35.7 3-PT FG%, 79.8 FT%, 41 ast.-27 TO, 13 blk, 14 stl, 23 mpg
Jan 20th @ Cincinnati: 8 pts, 5 rebs, 2-3 FG (1-2 3-PT FG), 3-3 FT, 2 TO, stl, 20 mins
Soares had an impactful performance off the bench against Cincinnati back in January. Since then, he has scored in double figures seven times and has shot 50 percent or better in every game but one. He is definitely someone to watch for Tuesday night.
6. #10 Sam Godwin, 6’10”, 235 lbs., Sr., F, Ada, Oklahoma, Wofford Transfer
6.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 61.1 FG%, 64.7 FT%, 18 ast.-32 TO, 16 blk, 15 stl, 18.4 mpg
Jan 20th @ Cincinnati: 3 rebs, ast, TO, 11 mins
Uzan leads the team in field goal percentage but didn’t score in the first meeting against the Bearcats.
7. #0 Le’Tre Darthard, 6’4″, 190 lbs., Sr., G, Denton, Texas
6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 37.7 FG%, 37.7 3-PT FG%, 66.7 FT%, 19 ast.-17 TO, 4 blk, 15 stl, 23.2 mpg
Jan 20th @ Cincinnati: 7 pts, reb, 2-3 FG (1-1 3-PT FG), 2-3 FT, 15 mins
Another key performer off the bench in the first game against the Bearcats, keep an eye on Darthard in the rematch Tuesday night.
Previous Matchup vs. Oklahoma: Bearcats lose 69-65 on January 20th
This was a frustrating loss for the Bearcats. The game was there for the taking, and they came up just short. Coming off an overtime win over TCU, I thought the Bearcats could really build some momentum with another home win against a Top 25 team. It was an evenly matched game that was tied at the half, but the Bearcats getting out-rebounded by six proved costly. It also hurt that Dan Skillings Jr. only scored one point, but this was still when he wasn’t starting full-time. The Bearcats also missed eight free throws and went 7-of-26 from three-point range. Oklahoma was the more efficient team, going 5-of-16 from three-point range and 16-of-18 from the free throw line, and that’s why they were able to close out the game.
Keys to the Game
1. Know what’s working for you: It sounds simple, but it can’t be overstated in the month of March. Whatever worked for the Bearcats on Saturday night in their win over K-State- taking care of the ball, getting good shots, forcing turnovers, and establishing early how the game is going to be played on their terms- do that again on Tuesday night at Oklahoma.
2. Make. Your. Free. Throws.: I’m not going to focus on this too much because the Bearcats came out on top Saturday night. But can you imagine what the conversation would have been had the Bearcats lost? The huge difference in free throw attempts between the Bearcats and Wildcats- 25 to eight- was jarring. But you’re supposed to make your free throws when you’re awarded them, and the Bearcats made just four of eight on Saturday night. That’s only 50%, and the missed number of free throws is the margin of defeat in the last game against Oklahoma. You get the point and the message by now.
3. Shot Selection: I liked the Bearcats shot selection on Saturday night. There wasn’t a stretch where they launched up so many threes in a row without any of them going in. Even Simas Lukosius, who has nine straight games with multiple three-point makes, hit some jumpers inside the arc. Oklahoma was the more efficient team in the first game against the Bearcats. The Bearcats will hopefully be that as the road team in the rematch Tuesday night.
4. Efficiency: It’s what wins games on the road and in March. Take and make good shots, make your free throws, rebound and take care of the ball. Do all of those things, and the Bearcats will be in position to win the game.
