Oklahoma senior forward Sam Godwin is determined to get back into the Sooners' starting lineup, but determination doesn't quite heal injuries.
It seems Godwin will still likely be sidelined with a knee injury when the 9-seed Sooners play the 8-seed UConn Huskies in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.
Godwin has missed OU's last three games after injuring his right knee early during the Sooners' upset against then-No. 15 Missouri on March 5. In that game, Godwin almost immediately scored 12 points and was OU's leading scorer when he exited. Godwin eventually returned to the bench with a brace and ice on the injured knee.
According to Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman, Godwin said he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Godwin participated during Thursday's practice and seemed optimistic about playing against UConn, but OU coach Porter Moser didn't sound as sure.
Spoke to #Sooners F Sam Godwin, who is suited up for practice today, about his injury/rehab process.
— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) March 20, 2025
Suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Has ramped up practice time this week. More about building his confidence and movements back.
Porter Moser: “going to be hard for him to go.”
#Sooners forward Sam Godwin has been a light participant in practice, shooting some free throws and 3s. pic.twitter.com/piwrH8AlHl
— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) March 20, 2025
Porter Moser says Sam Godwin… “did some stuff with the team today, but it’s going to be hard for him to go tomorrow night. We’ll wait to see how he does tomorrow in the walk thru.”
— Toby Rowland (@TRowOU) March 20, 2025
Sam Godwin tells me he feels good- and he has been living in the rehab room. He says he is going to see how he feels tomorrow, but he seems determined to return to the lineup for the #Sooners @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/nEpqakwB0n
— Chris Williams (@CWillTV) March 20, 2025
Godwin, from Ada, Oklahoma, had started every game this season before the injury. He was averaging 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds.
In Godwin's place, 6-foot-10 senior Mohamed Wague has started the last three games for the Sooners. As a starter, Wague is averaging eight points and 5.6 rebounds the last three games.
Wague transferred from Alabama this past offseason. He started his career at Harcum College, then went to West Virginia, then to Alabama before getting to OU, having never spent more than one year at the same school.
Most notably, the Sooners are 2-1 without Godwin in the starting lineup. Godwin's experience and added depth down low would certainly be beneficial for OU during the NCAA Tournament, but Wague has been a spark plug for the Sooners and should probably get the start over Godwin even if he was back healthy.
The Sooners will play UConn at 8:30 p.m. CT Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.