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Oklahoma basketball: Three takeaways from OU’s 21-point blowout of Providence

By Chip Rouse

Dec 5, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward John Hugley IV (1) shoots against Providence Friars during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward John Hugley IV (1) shoots against Providence Friars during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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If there is any doubt that this Oklahoma basketball team is not an improved version of the last year’s Sooner team, a 72-51 beatdown of 7-1 Providence should serve as proof in point.

The Sooners improved to 8-0 and in so doing helped increased the Big 12 record in the 2023 edition of the Big 12/Big East Battle to 7-3. In addition to the OU win, Kansas State defeated Villanova and Baylor knocked off Seton Hall with one game remaining in the series between West Virginia and Pittsburgh.

Sienna transfer Javian McCollum led the way with a game-high 19 points, including three of seven from three-point range. Sophomore guard Milos Uzan added 17. The Sooners broke open a relatively close contest in the opening half, outscoring the Friars 37-20 over the final 20 minutes to seal away the victory.

Devin Carter led Providence with 17 points, including four three-pointers. He scored 13 of those points in the first half, including the Friars’ first 11 points.

Oklahoma opened the game with a quick 12-0 run, but the Friars responded with 11 unanswered points of their own to climb back into the game at 12-11. It stayed fairly close the rest of the half before the Sooners pulled away in the second stanza.

Oklahoma actually trailed 42-41 with just over six minutes gone in the second half before mounting a 24-4 run over the next 10 minutes and a 65-46 advantage to close out the game.

The Sooners are next in action on Saturday when they will play Arkansas in the Crimson and Cardinal Classic in Tulsa. OU lost to the Razorbacks in last year’s game 88-78.

Three takeaways from OU’s sixth home victory this season without a loss

  • Once again Oklahoma owned the paint, scoring 40 of its 72 points in the paint. The Sooners have averaged close to 40 points per game in the paint area through eight games.
  • The Sooners outrebounded Providence 40 to 23, including a 10-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. OU scored 16 second-chance points courtesy of the 10 offensive rebounds.
  • OU scored 16 points off of 15 Providence turnovers. The Sooners shot 46.7 percent for the game. They are averaging 50.9 percent per game, which ranks 13th best in the country.
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