Post-Game Thoughts: Kansas Jayhawks 83, Oklahoma Sooners 75

Feb 24, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Woodard (10) shoots the ball as Kansas Jayhawks guard Brannen Greene (14) defends during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Frustration does not begin to describe the emotion of watching this game. From a fan’s point of view. From an Oklahoma’s player of view. This is a tough pill to swallow.

Oklahoma had the opportunity to knock off Kansas for the first time in Lawrence since 1993. It just was not meant to be.

I’m not even going to attempt to write anything too coherent, so here are some thoughts haunting me at the moment.

• Closing out halves has to be a concern of Lon Kruger. The Sooners had the Jayhawks right where they wanted them, but a late nine-point turnaround gave KU a cushion heading in to the locker room. This team with their foot on the gas is scary good, but Oklahoma let go of their grip and Kansas pounced.
• Size was definitely a factor. It felt like a playground match-up between a group of older boys and younger ones. Embiid is a matchup nightmare for any team, and Oklahoma was unable to control the paint.
• OU settled for a lot of jumpers, which can be good. However, Oklahoma could not find their rhythm. The Sooners finally began to attack the basket, though, it did not always pay off as calls were hard to come by in Lawrence.
• Oklahoma’s bench needed a good game for the Sooners to compete, but KU’s defense rarely allowed any good looks for guys like Hornbeak, Booker, or Neal to quiet the crowd.
• Speaking of the crowd, KU’s gym was insane. The student section was in to it from start to finish, and the noise translated well on television. If there is anything to envy of Kansas’ school, that student section definitely is a big factor.
• Defensively, Oklahoma overplayed the double-team a little too much. It freed up a lot of Jayhawks, and being the fifth-ranked team in the country, KU has guys that can knock it down fairly easy.
• Cameron Clark showed up to Lawrence, he definitely can not go unrecognized. However, his 18-point effort was not enough to will OU to a victory.
• Every time Kansas seemed to take control, Oklahoma always fought back. This is a resilient ball club, and fans have known that all season. Kruger is never truly out of it, but you have to realize Kansas is just the better team and in a deep, deep conference, Kansas is the best.
• This is the first time Oklahoma has lost to any team twice all year. It definitely seemed like they were better off in this game than their first meeting in Norman. Oklahoma knew more what to expect, hopefully Kruger uses this as a lesson going forward and heading in to the tournament.
• If voters aren’t sold OU is a Top 25 team by now, there is no hope.
• I nearly got the final score, right (I predicted 80-75 Kansas). It’s hard being this smart, guys /sarcasm
• There will be more to come, this all I can muster following the loss.