Can VCU cool down Hield’s Sooners?
As Buddy Hield goes, so go the Sooners. But what happens when the sensational senior receives just a little bit of help from his friends?
It’s a sobering subject for any team whose NCAA path runs parallel to OU’s, especially in light of Friday evening’s events at the Chesapeake Energy Center. Everybody on Lon Kruger’s roster banded together to hand Cal State Bakersfield an 82-68 defeat.
The win not only basically erased the sting of last week’s gut-wrenching loss to West Virginia in the Big 12 tourney, but also set up this afternoon’s round-of-32 meeting with No. 10 VCU. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI back second-seeded Oklahoma as a 6.5-point favorite heading into more West Region action.
If the Sooners (26-7) can display half of the offensive balance that propelled them past the Roadrunners, Rams fans may want to avert their eyes. Hield did his usual work with 27 points, but Isaiah Cousins (16) and Jordan Woodard (15) weren’t too far behind. OU continued its bonkers marksmanship by canning 55 percent of 3-point attempts as well.
Then again, such success from deep may be hard by which to come against VCU (25-10). Will Wade’s squad averaged 8.6 steals per game in Atlantic 10 play, preying on foes with less quickness and athleticism.
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The Sooners don’t fall into that category. They boast a 12-6 mark vs. those who qualified for the Big Dance, too, whereas the Rams cannot even claim a single top-25 victory. Oh, and this site of Oklahoma City requires a mere 30-minute drive from Norman.
Let the good times roll for Hield and his rising comrades.
SUNDAY NCAA FREE PICK: OKLAHOMA -6.5
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