Is anyone else tired...

[Chaser728]

Of this narrative already? We get it, Nova wasn't as good as they are now; however, they were ranked in the top 10 and undefeated. They missed a ton of shots and OU's D had nothing to do with it, it was just a bad day for them. :facepalm

Honestly this is why I wanted Kansas, because we would have a chance at revenge; and I really wanted to be able to say that in the year we won the natty, we did it by beating them in the final four. But hey, I believe in this squad and believe they'll take it to Nova once again this weekend. Oh, and btw we are better now too!

 

[SoonerTraveler]

If it wasn't this narrative, it would be another.

Writers gonna write. They gotta write about something.

THs (talking heads) gonna talk. They gotta talk about something.

We gonna complain about the writers and/or the THs. We gotta complain about something.

 

[Zimwillett]

I definitely think that's a simplistic narrative. The truth is, OU didn't really play their best on December 7 either. Buddy started hot, but got a little excited and missed a lot of shots. OU went through a long scoring drought in the first half where they turned it over quite a bit. Guys like Buford (who barely played at all), James, and McNease are different players right now. If OU had played well, that game could have been 30+.

And while its true that Nova missed a bunch of open looks, a lot of their poor shooting had to do with OU's defense. OU is bigger and more athletic overall than Nova, and I think the length and athleticism (especially by OU's guards) surprised and bothered Nova.

However, in the end, I'm not sure there's a lot to draw on from that game. It was almost 4 months ago played in a glorified high school gym in front of an oddly subdued crowd. Nova is clearly capable of playing better, but so is OU. I can't wait until Saturday.

 

[OrlandoSooner]

It was a strange game. I don't think it will have any bearing on this game.

- It was a game played a long way from home for both teams
- It was in a gym smaller than most high school gyms
- It had a mostly non-partisan military crowd
- It was 4 months ago.

 

[campbest]

Could OU play better? Sure, but the statistics say it isn't likely. Shooting splits for OU were 47%, 54%, 73%, including 57%, 67%, 67% in the second half...that's pretty lethal. FT percentages are misleading b/c OU only shot 12. Even had 18 assists that game, which is on the higher end for this team. As for the turnovers, OU has done that all season, had a TO rate of .2/possession the last two games.

Saturday will likely be more of a drag it out type game, Villanova will attempt to take air out of the ball. They learned their lesson the first time around trying to score with OU.

 

[Zimwillett]

Could OU play better? Sure, but the statistics say it isn't likely. Shooting splits for OU were 47%, 54%, 73%, including 57%, 67%, 67% in the second half...that's pretty lethal. FT percentages are misleading b/c OU only shot 12. Even had 18 assists that game, which is on the higher end for this team. As for the turnovers, OU has done that all season, had a TO rate of .2/possession the last two games.

Saturday will likely be more of a drag it out type game, Villanova will attempt to take air out of the ball. They learned their lesson the first time around trying to score with OU.

I didn't realize the stats were that good. It would definitely be difficult to improve on that. But watching it, OU had some really ragged stretches, especially in the first half. And despite a hot start, Buddy really did not have one of his better games. It was an 8 point game with 11 minutes left, and then OU went on a pretty incredible barrage to close it out.

Again, I don't think it's worth over analyzing that game from before Christmas 2015. That game will undoubtedly have given Jay Wright a lot of insight, and you're absolutely correct. He'd be foolish to let OU get into the kind of up and down game we saw back in December.

 

[sheepdogs1]

Narrative shmarrative. What counts is the net result regardless of any supposed insightful input.

 

[CoachTalk]

Its the Final 4.

Both teams will be all jacked up ready to play.

I think that game has little bearing but its goin to be brought up. just like Cuse losing 3 times to Virgina.

 

[campbest]

I think that game has little bearing but its goin to be brought up. just like Cuse losing 3 times to Virgina.

Cuse lost once to Virginia and twice to UNC.

 

[OUradu]

We weren't the same. Look at the 14 minutes Odomes played (watched the game yesterday and he wasn't that bad), James only played really 1 meaningful minute. His other two were to finish the game. Buford got one minute and I don't remember Mcnease at all.

 

[sperry]

That game was meaningless because they shot so bad. They missed a TON of good looks, and while our defense played a part in that, it was also just "one of those days" for their shooters. Should be a really good game on Saturday, and I honestly have no idea how it will play out.

 

[CoachTalk]

Cuse lost once to Virginia and twice to UNC.

my bad. I thought I heard they lost to someone 3 times. :facepalm

 

[califca]

Our guard play will determine everything. When you look at Villanova like us they love the three ball but we are much quicker and more athletic IMO. They are very good with 50-50 balls. Got to hustle. I have a really good feeling about this game. I was more worried about Oregon because of their size and athleticism. We need to get in the passing lanes and have quick hands and create turnovers. Try and turn this into a track meet. The positive thing is I believe we can play both ways. Half Court or track meet. Villanova can't run with us.

 

[DenverSooner]

Can Villanova shoot with us? OU has about a 10% advantage shooting the ball across the board.

 

[geeoh]

Villanova couldn't have been all that bad in December. If I remember correctly they waxed St. Joe's immediately before playing us.

 

[Chaser728]

Our guard play will determine everything. When you look at Villanova like us they love the three ball but we are much quicker and more athletic IMO. They are very good with 50-50 balls. Got to hustle. I have a really good feeling about this game. I was more worried about Oregon because of their size and athleticism. We need to get in the passing lanes and have quick hands and create turnovers. Try and turn this into a track meet. The positive thing is I believe we can play both ways. Half Court or track meet. Villanova can't run with us.

Yes you're right, if it's a track meet, we win. They want to "make it ugly"; it our guys hustle, defend and rebound like they did against ATM and UO, we will win going away. But if we let them push us around and out hustle us like they did KU, we could lose, especially if we're not hitting our shots.