Oklahoma basketball: Five things to know from 2017-18 Season
By Chip Rouse
Play the last 10 minutes like it is an elimination game
There were a number of Big 12 games the Sooners could have won if they had done a better job finishing games. I can count at least four games during the Big 12 schedule in which Oklahoma fell behind early, fought all the way back and actually took a lead in the second half, only to encounter a scoring drought in the late going that eventually cost them the game.
They say the first five minutes of the second half is the most important part of the game, but in OU’s case, especially in the 2017-18 season, I would argue that the final 10 minutes and finishing out the game strong was the most critical point in games.
Perhaps the best come-from-behind effort by the Sooners in the closing stages of a game this season came in the first-round NCAA Tournament game with Rhode Island. Oklahoma eventually lost the game in overtime, but there would have been an extra session had OU not finished strong in the closing minutes.
Down by seven, 62-55, with a little over six minutes to go in the game, the underdog Sooners chipped away at the Rhode Island advantage and outscored the Rams 14-7 the rest of the way in regulation, with Trae Young scoring 11 of the points, including the two free throws that tied it at 69-all and sent the game to overtime.
That was a valiant effort that ultimately didn’t go OU’s way, but it was with an energy and determination that was lacking in the closing minutes of games most of the second half of the season.