The Oklahoma Sooners came into the game with a 2-1 record and they faced the 3-0 UCLA Bruins who were #22 in the nation. OU defeated the Bruins by 10 points. The difference maker in the game was free throws. Buddy Hield led the charge in both attempts and makes for the Sooners. The team was 23-30 (77%) from the line while the Bruins were 9 of 21 (43%).
Hield did not have a good day from the field but he kept shooting and kept getting to the free throw line and because of that he had 24 points. He was 7 for 19 from the field; including 4 of 13 from the 3-point line. OU, as a team, did not have a good day shooting. They were 21 of 64 (33%) for the game. However, they were able to overcome the bad shooting with their free throws and the bad shooting day from the charity stripe for the Bruins.
How can a college team only shoot 43% from the field? That number looks more like a junior high squad.
Outside of the free throws, UCLA struggled with individualism. They did not seem to be playing as a team and their eight assists for the entire game could confirm this assumption. For UCLA, Issac Hamilton will need to step it up more. They will not win the big games when he goes 3 for 13 from the field and only has 1 assist while having 4 turnovers. The guard play has to step up their game.
This was a great win for the Sooners. However, they don’t have much time to celebrate as they play Butler tomorrow.
Photo Credit: AP