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Oklahoma basketball: Five things to know from 2017-18 Season

By Chip Rouse

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: The Oklahoma Sooners sit dejected on the bench en route to being defeated by the Rhode Island Rams 78-83 in overtime during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: The Oklahoma Sooners sit dejected on the bench en route to being defeated by the Rhode Island Rams 78-83 in overtime during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WV – JANUARY 06: Trae Young
MORGANTOWN, WV – JANUARY 06: Trae Young /

Replacing one of the best players in OU hoops history

The Sooners’ reliance on Trae Young to shoulder the heavy load and deliver the bulk of the offensive production each and every time out was perhaps the biggest contributor to OU’s giant collapse in the second half of the season.

Oklahoma became far too one-dimensional on offense. Opponents recognized, especially after seeing Young at least once before and with the opportunity to make adjustments the second time around, that all they needed to do was limit his touches and make him take contested shots. In other words, take away OU’s best offensive threat and force the rest of the Sooners to beat them.

When Young struggled with his shots and ball handling down the stretch, none of his supporting cast were able to consistently step up and make a difference. Despite all this, Young was still able to contribute 25 to 35 points virtually every game, but that wasn’t enough offense to get it done without sufficient help from the other starters and, particularly, off the bench.

Young’s scoring output will be sorely missed next season. You simply don’t replace someone with that kind of superior talent. Strangely enough, though, I believe the Sooners may be a better team next season if, for no other reason, it will force them to play more together as a true team.

Without Young, there will be no superstars on the floor next season for the Sooners. They will have to rely on the contributions of all five players on the floor, with everyone expected to do their individual job and play seamlessly so, as they say, the collective output is greater than the sum of the parts.

Let me be clear about this:  It was terrific having Trae Young as an Oklahoma Sooner this past season. He definitely helped put Oklahoma basketball in the national spotlight, both good and bad. Don’t be surprised, however, if losing him results in addition by subtraction for a Sooner team that will be forced to regroup and do things differently next season.

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