An OU vs. NU basketball game isn't exactly ESPiN Big Monday material, but the game actually turned out to be a pretty decent contest. Sure it wasn't the most exciting game for a non-fan of either team, but it was a back and forth game the entire time and obviously ended in dramatic fashion. OU came into the game on a three game losing streak and coming off a game at Mizzou where after the first eight minutes, really weren't even competitive. So the Sooners were clearly in need of a win over a Husker team sporting an above average overall record, but certainly not a team that OU was incapable of beating in Norman. It was arguably the last game on the OU schedule where Sooner fans could expect a victory, so to lose like they did on Wednesday night was extra painful. It seemed like Capel had quieted most of his critics, but if this OU team loses 10 consecutive games to close out the season I have to think those critics and many more will be calling for his head. Apparently Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World didn't feel the need to wait.
Both teams struggled on offense, hence the final score being in the fifties, and neither team had a guy with more than 17 points. OU was led by Andrew Fitzgerald and his 15 points, but they were a hard earned 15 going up against NU's length inside. Steven Pledger and Cameron Clark put up 13 and 8 respectively, but for the umpteenth game in a row it seemed like they were non-existent on offense yet again. In what has become a running theme for a Jeff Capel team, the bench provided little help only contributing six of OU's 58 points.
Cade Davis finished with 13 and a possible 14th point was correctly taken away after replay revealed his foot was on the line while shooting what was believed to be the game tying three pointer. Give credit to the often criticized Big 12 officials for getting the call correct. It would have been nice if they could have been as bad as they typically are and missed the call, but it was not to be and unfortunately the Sooners dropped a very winnable game in the process.
OU's next game is Saturday in Manhattan against a roller coaster K-State team (3pm central, Big 12 network). Despite K-State's struggles, it's hard for me to imagine this OU team going into the Little Apple and getting a win (especially with that Mizzou performance fresh on the brain). However, if the Sooners were able to find a way to pull it off it could go a long way towards some sort of postseason berth as K-State's RPI ranking is still pretty decent.