GAME Thread WVU Jan 2nd

[CrimsonandCream14]

Never a doubt!

 

[BoulderSooner]

Big time win over one of the top 4

 

[BoulderSooner]

This OU team can play with anyone

 

[OUSKINS]

Something can be two things at once:

This was both a very poor performance in the second half AND a good win. Credit the guys for scratching it out late— saved mainly by Gibson. Reaves and Manek need to figure out their issues ASAP. I’d say it’s somewhat encouraging that we beat WVU and almost beat TT with those two both playing very poorly in both games. By same token, we are cooked if they don’t figure it out.

 

[StoopsBros]

Ugly 2H, but a win is a win.

 

[skyvue]

Gibson had three games last season in which he hit at least seven threes.

 

[OUsky]

Gibson had three games last season in which he hit at least seven threes.

Awesome performance today.

 

[AdaSooner]

Always helps when a guy averaging 7 scores 30.

Nice win. Absolutely needed it. First step of the stage of games we are on.

Gibson is perfectly capable of scoring 20 or more in every game. He scored 21 against OU last year. I have said all along he could score from the perimeter. Trust me, this was no fluke.

 

[JBaker]

Gibson carried the offense today. Solid bounce back after the near collapse to get an important win.

 

[stormspencer]

Good win. Burn the second half film (except for Gibson highlights). It looks like another conference season where this team will cause me to pull my hair out....or at least what is left of it.

 

[BCSooners]

Amazing game by Gibson. Reaves & Manek struggled but made plays down the stretch. Great win against a top 10 team who went crazy from 3. Out rebounded the most physical team when the refs swallowed their whistles until WVU ducked their heads (fouls on Reaves, Hill, & Manek getting speared should’ve all been OU ball).

I get that it’s frustrating blowing a lead but if you aren’t thrilled about the win I feel sorry for you.

Kuath was also great. My guess with going with Hill late was to switch out on all those double & stagger screens for Sherman.

 

[Eielson]

I'm feeling pretty good about the Gibson-Bieniemy swap.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm feeling pretty good about the Gibson-Bieniemy swap.

The upgrade could not have been more evident than in last year’s game when Gibson scored 21 and Bieniemy scored 3.

 

[thebigabd]

I'm feeling pretty good about the Gibson-Bieniemy swap.

Totally forgot about that.... Agreed, great swap.

Bieniemy is averaging 9 points, 5.3 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for UTEP. Playing 31 minutes a game. Shooting 15% from 3... The guy just can't shoot. But it was a good move for JB to go to UTEP as well.

UTEP is pretty salty this year though... 5-3 with the 3 losses being to Arizona, Saint Marys, and Southern Miss. They beat Arizona State.

He actually played today against Southern Miss (second meeting against them this year) and had 20 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds and was 4-5 from 3pt line.

Glad to see he is doing well. Sometimes transfers are good for both parties.

 

[skyvue]

I'd be happy to still have JB on the team -- I liked what he contributed and felt his offense would come around -- but if it was either/or, I'd choose Gibson.

 

[TheMont]

Amazing, amazing game by Gibson. We absolutely would not have won without his shots stabilizing us in the 2nd half. So glad he’s a Sooner.

I was also very impressed with our interior defense and rebounding the entire game. With about 5 minutes remaining, WVU had only made six 2-point baskets (they made more late when they drove to score quickly). Kur was a beast today.

This OU team has quality depth, but we still need more production from Reaves and Manek. I will absolutely give credit to them, however, for keeping their heads in the game and finding ways to contribute when their shots weren’t falling. Against TTU, I thought Brady got too upset about missing shots and he let that affect the rest of his game, particularly on defense. He didn’t do that today. His 2 offensive rebounds on one possession and his lone 3 with ~90 seconds left were HUGE.

With that said, there is no world in which Austin Reaves should attempt NINE threes (unless he makes his first, like, seven). This offense is at its best when he is driving — it leads to kick outs, dumping off to big men, Austin scoring near the rim, and/or getting fouled. He drove very few times today (though credit to WVU, whose defense likely had something to do with that).

Blowing a huge lead always puts a weird taste in my mouth, but this was still a top 10 win, and I’m thrilled. We put on a show in the first half, and the last ten minutes of the 2nd was objectively fun basketball — two good teams trading punches and an all-time performance from Gibson. Fingers crossed we can steal one this week. We’ll see!

 

[AdaSooner]

I be happy to still have JB on the team -- I liked what he contributed and felt his offense would come around -- but if it was either/or, I'd choose Gibson.

Like you, I would have been happy if JB had stayed at OU. There was more to his game than shooting from the perimeter. He was also a good student and by all accounts a fine young man.

Glad to hear he’s doing well!

 

[thebigabd]

I wouldn't be surprised if UTEP won C-USA and JB was playing in the NCAA Tournament. They have a legit team in that league.

 

[skyvue]

I will say this: I have more than had my fill of Harmon ending up on the floor at the end of a drive to the basket. It takes him out of the play, and there was one instance today in which we'd have gotten possession of the ball after a WVU player touched it last on its way out of bounds, but there was Harmon, lying on the ground, and the ball landed on him.

 

[Soonerinkc]

Like you, I would have been happy if JB had stayed at OU. There was more to his game than shooting from the perimeter. He was also a good student and by all accounts a fine young man.

Glad to hear he’s doing well!

Yup