The Oklahoma Sooners had been there before, and fans could immediately tell exactly which ones.
The Sooners' veterans took over early as No. 4 seeded OU cruised past No. 13 Idaho 89-59 late Friday night at Lloyd Noble Center in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The blowout set up a second-round matchup against No. 5 Michigan State, which slipped by No. 12 Colorado State 65-62. A victory over Michigan State on Sunday would send the Sooners back to the Sweet 16 for the second straight season after winning a region in Norman with home-court advantage.
Raegan Beers, Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams shine in Idaho win
Freshman phenom Aaliyah Chavez has rightfully garnered most of the headlines this season, but on the biggest stage of her career so far, nerves were evident early as her SEC record streak of 62 made free throws in a row came to an end. Inexperience was a concern for the Sooners heading into March Madness, and it haunted them in their last outing against LSU in the SEC Tournament, but on Friday night, the trio that had OU in this same position last year made sure that worry was eased.
Seniors Raegan Beers and Payton Verhulst, and junior Sahara Williams all started in the Sooners' Sweet 16 run a year ago. As Chavez and sophomore starter Zya Vann acclimated, the three seasoned upperclassmen took over as all three reached double-digit scoring before the fourth quarter even started.
Beers notched her 21st double-double of the season and the 66th of her career with 18 points and 10 rebounds, plus four assists. Williams also put together a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Verhulst put up 14 points with five rebounds.
The trio was meticulous in making all the right plays all night. They were patient and confident. Verhulst was the first to really get going to settle everyone in. Williams brought the energy until the final buzzer. Beers absolutely dominated in the paint.
And that's not to say the youngsters succumbed to the pressure of the Big Dance. The veterans stepping up early let Chavez get adjusted before she also reached double-digits with 15 points, as well as six rebounds and five assists. Even more impressively from Chavez in her NCAA Tournament, she did not turn the ball over a single time while running the point for 31 minutes.
The Sooners have the perfect formula to succeed in March Madness with experience and budding talent, and in the first round, they finally mixed it all together for the first time this postseason for the perfect winning dish that could be the recipe for a deep NCAA Tournament run.