Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma basketball: Sooners host St. Bonaventure in NIT 2nd round

By Chip Rouse

Oklahoma Sooners guard Umoja Gibson (2) goes to the basket beside Missouri State Bears guard Donovan Clay (5) during an NIT basketball game between at the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri State Bears at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Oklahoma won 89-72.Ou Nit Basketball
Oklahoma Sooners guard Umoja Gibson (2) goes to the basket beside Missouri State Bears guard Donovan Clay (5) during an NIT basketball game between at the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri State Bears at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Oklahoma won 89-72.Ou Nit Basketball /
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With both Oklahoma basketball teams hosting home games in the opening rounds of their respective postseason tournaments, it took some logistical maneuvering to schedule the Sooners’ NIT second-round matchup with St. Bonaventure.

The OU women play their first-round game in the NCAA Women’s Tournament at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday night. Because of that scheduling conflict, it was decided that Oklahoma’s game against St. Bonaventure would be played Sunday night.

After Friday, the Lady Sooners are scheduled to play again until Monday, but they have practice and a press conference scheduled at the LNC on Sunday afternoon.

The Sooners (19-15) and Bonnies (21-9) advanced out of their opening-round National Invitation Tournament games with wins over No. 8 Missouri State and No, 4 Colorado, respectively.

Oklahoma and St. Bonaventure have played just once in their history. The Sooners came out on top in that game.

In seven previous appearances in the NIT postseason tournament, Oklahoma has made it past the second round just twice. Both of those times (1982 and 1991), the Sooners were playing at home. Oklahoma made it to the semifinals in New York in 1982 and played for the NIT championship in 1991, losing to Stanford.

The game with St. Bonaventure will be televised on ESPNU, with the tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

What fans need to know about Oklahoma vs. St. Bonaventure

  • St. Bonaventure averages 70.3 points per game and is allowing opponents 66.4 points per contest.
  • All five St. Bonaventure starters average at least 11.0 points per game. The Bonnies’ top two scorers are Jalen Adaway (16.1) and Jalen Holmes (13.2). They are a well-rounded team. In addition to have five players in double figures in scoring, they also have five players averaging at least five rebounds per game.
  • The Bonnies are an experienced, tournament-tested team. All five starters are seniors. St. Bonaventure has been to the NCAA Tournament three of the last five seasons.
  • St. Bonaventure senior guard Kyle Lofton ranked second in the Atlantic 10 Conference this season, averaging 2.1 steals per game.
  • Oklahoma has won five of its last six games. St. Bonaventure has won nine of its last 11.
  • The Sooners are 11-0 when this season when they hold their opponent to a shooting percentage of 40.0 percent or lower.
  • Umoja Gibson is averaging 21.7 points per game over his last four games.
  • During the month of March, Sooner point guard Jordan Goldwire is averaging 12.6 points a game.
  • The Sooners shoot the ball at a 48 percent clip, which ranks 26th best nationally and second best in the Big 12. When they shoot 50 percent or better, they are 14-1 this season.

Prediction

St. Bonaventure is a veteran team that has played together a while. The Bonnies get solid contributions from all five of their starters. They play well together and take care of the ball, In four of Oklahoma’s last five game, the Sooners have shot better than 50 percent from the field. If they are able to do so against the Bonnies, they will win the game and advance to the quarterfinal round. This game will be closer than many people think. Oklahoma wins by 7+.

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