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How OU basketball aimed to 'get fresh' in week off leading into Bedlam vs. Oklahoma State
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- How OU basketball aimed to 'get fresh' in week off leading into Bedlam vs. Oklahoma State
NORMAN — For the first time since December, Porter Moser's OU basketball team earned a week off to rest and recover from the beast that is the Big 12 schedule.
The break came at a much-needed time for the Sooners , who have dealt with injuries and late-game fatigue at times. It also offered the coaching staff a chance for a reset on the court as the team is in the middle of a 2-3 stretch in February.
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"The focus is we were just intentional about wanting to get better this week," Moser said. "We wanted to get fresh. Fresh legs, fresh mind this week. We worked on skill, we worked on shooting, we got recovery and it was about us getting better the first couple days."
Moser's staff executed a plan to keep the players engaged all week while also allowing them to rest their bodies.
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OU coach Porter Moser, guard Rivaldo Soares (5) and forward Sam Godwin (10) celebrate with fans after a 66-62 win against OSU on Feb. 10 at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.
During Thursday's practice the focus was guarding the ball, something OU has been successful at this season in wins over BYU and Oklahoma State, but struggled with in losses to Baylor and Kansas. The Bears knocked down 11 of their 21 3-point attempts against the Sooners with many of them coming off open looks in transition.
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Moser's offensive game planning also needed some retooling this week after enduring multiple scoring droughts against the Jayhawks, including one with an 11-point lead that lasted 2:05 to close the first half, allowing KU back in the game.
With the Cowboys playing as well as any team in the conference as of late, defeating BYU last Saturday and Cincinnati on Wednesday on the road, the Sooners' focus heading into Saturday's matchup is to start fast and defend from the opening tip. They watched OSU defeat the Bearcats and know they must lock in on fast guards Jamyron Keller and Javon Small.
Despite the 0-2 showing last week, OU still controls its own destiny. The Sooners are a No. 8 seed in ESPN insider Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology .
"We know we've got five games left until heading into the Big 12 tournament," said sophomore guard Milos Uzan, noting the team discusses its tournament hopes. "So the goal is definitely to get there and advance. We believe in Moser and the staff and we think if we can get there we'll thrive."
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More: OU basketball's John Hugley IV will miss Bedlam after meniscus surgery
Oklahoma guard Rivaldo Soares (5) is helped off the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor in Waco, Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Lineup update with John Hugley IV out, Rivaldo Soares day-to-day
The Sooners received confirmation they'd be without redshirt junior forward John Hugley IV for the immediate future as he underwent meniscus surgery this week.
Moser has tried a variety of different role players and lineups in his absence and maintains he's searching for more production down the bench.
"We weren't sure, at first we were waiting to see if he could recover without it and then the decision was made to move forward," Moser said. "It went great. We don't know the exact timetable but there's hope about that. But there's clarity. There's clarity and there's opportunity for other guys to step up. We have some guys that we really want to step up in his absence."
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Senior guard Rivaldo Soares' status remains up in the air but Moser said he's approaching the ankle sprain with caution and not rushing his return.
Moser has looked to redshirt freshman forward Luke Northweather, who recorded season-highs in points (five) and assists (three) against Oklahoma State on Feb. 10, to step up. Other players in the mix for an increase in minutes include senior guard Maks Klanjscek — who played seven minutes vs. Kansas — and redshirt sophomore forward Yaya Keita, whose only played one minute in conference games.
"Maks got some minutes in that first half and it just didn't work out in the second half, but man I thought he did some good things, reviewing it and looking at it," Moser said. "He had a great paint touch and kick out for a 3. So yeah, definitely talking about Maks in the mix with (Soares) being out and he got a lot of reps in practice.
"He's got to be ready."
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OU men's basketball coach Porter Moser and then-OSU coach Mike Boynton talk before a Bedlam game in Stillwater on Jan. 18, 2023. Neither school has made the NCAA Tournament since 2021.
Porter Moser expects Bedlam to continue in future
With the regular season Bedlam series during the Big 12 era ending Saturday, Moser again fielded questions about the future of the storied in-state rivalry with OU heading to the SEC next season.
"I personally don't think this is the last time we play," Moser said mirroring the message he conveyed less than two weeks ago. "I see a world where this great rivalry continues. I don't know when that is based on a lot of logistical factors. But I see a world in which this great rivalry continues."
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Moser previously said the two sides have spoken about continuing the game.
The Sooners (18-8, 6-7 Big 12) and the Cowboys' (12-14, 4-9) final regular-season meeting as conference foes tips at 3 p.m. Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU basketball prepares for final Big 12 Bedlam vs. Oklahoma State
