College basketball is finally back after an abrupt ending right before the NCAA tournament. Oklahoma basketball will look a little different this year.
No more Kristian Doolittle, but seniors Brady Manek, Austin Reaves, Alondes Williams and Kur Kuath will lead the way for this Sooners team. Oklahoma sophomore De’Vion Harmon will be the Sooners’ starting point guard, looking to show how much he has improved from last season running this offense. Harmon averaged seven points, two assists and nearly two rebounds. Harmon also had 35 steals, ninth most by a freshman in Oklahoma basketball history.
Head coach Lon Kruger said the guys will need to be prepared for whatever comes at them with COVID-19. Kruger went on to say it is all about attitude and playing hard when you get the chance to play because you don’t know how many you will get. The last game for the Sooners last season came off of Reaves’ 41 points to bring Oklahoma back to win 78-76 in a crucial game for the Sooners before the Big 12 Tournament.
Oklahoma has some new young players as well that could help it off the bench. Shooter Trey Phipps from Tulsa and four-star Josh O’Garro were big pickups for the Sooners before the season. Kruger has always has a playmaker or go-to scorer on his team, but this year it will be interesting to see who to go-to playmaker is. Reaves or Manek would be my guesses, but there is no one distinct. Most have Oklahoma finishing in the bottom part of the conference before tournament play. Kruger is a great coach who knows how to use what he’s got so maybe this team will surprise us.
Oklahoma’s first game is Wednesday against UTSA in Norman. The Lloyd Noble Center is only allowed 2,500 fans this season as well, which could make for some quiet games if that number is not fully reached. I think this Sooners squad will surprise some people this season. The first four games for Oklahoma are not easy either especially with the first three being non-conference. Big 12 basketball has gotten way better over the past couple of years with Baylor and Texas Tech really emerging. I would bet the Sooners finish top seven in the Big 12 this season and win their first game Wednesday.
This will be a fun team to watch with a lot of guys seeing action and getting the ball. A lot of team ball that could pull off some upsets this year.
Hi there! My name is John Barry. I am a sports journalist at the University of Oklahoma and will be giving you updates and inside scoops on all things Sooners. Have a question or story? Email me @john.f.barry-1@ou.edu
