Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma basketball: Takeaways from Sooners’ upset over No. 23 USC

By Chip Rouse

Nov 24, 2023; La Jolla, California, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Javian McCollum (2) goes to the basket past USC Trojans forward Joshua Morgan (24) during the second half at LionTree Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2023; La Jolla, California, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Javian McCollum (2) goes to the basket past USC Trojans forward Joshua Morgan (24) during the second half at LionTree Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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These guys are for real! Porter Moser’s 2023-24 men’s Oklahoma basketball team has looked impressive in their first five games this season. On Saturday the Sooners made it six in a row to open the season with a 72-70 upset win over No. 23-ranked USC.

The Sooners shot 50 percent for the game, including 10 of 22 from three-point range, but it took a tip-in by Otega Oweh with 1.4 seconds to go to seal the win for Oklahoma, Javian McCollum led the Sooners with 18 points and Oweh added 16 as the Sooners overcame a three-point halftime deficit, 39-36, to defeat the favored Trojans.

Boogie Ellis and Kobe Johnson both had 16 points to lead USC, which dropped its second game of the season to fall to 4-2.

A pair of free throws by USC tied the game at 70 apiece with 27.9 seconds left. Oklahoma played for the last shot. McCollum’s shot from just inside the three-point line bounced off the rim, but Oweh was in the right position to follow up the miss and put in the winning basket.

The next action for the OU men will be Nov. 30 when the Sooners host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at McCasland Field House.

Four takeaways from OU’s championship win in Rady Children’s Tournament

  • Six-foot, 10-inch Pittsburgh transfer John Hugely IV hit four of four three-point shots. Hugley was five of seven shooting for 14 points with 12 coming from long range.
  • The biggest lead in the game was eight points by USC early in the second half, which OU immediately erased with a 7-0 run,
  • All nine Oklahoma players who saw action scored in the game, with 22 points coming from the Sooner reserves, the fewest amount in Oklahoma’s six games.
  • It wasn’t football, but I’m sure OU took some solace in defeating the school where former OU head coach Lincon Riley now coaches.
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