No. 1 Kansas outlasts No. 2 Oklahoma 3 OTs

The scene was already set for an epic matchup when Kansas and Oklahoma were ranked No. 1 and 2 respectively in Monday’s afternoon’s new AP Poll. His ball handling and ability to attack the rim off ball screens are vastly improved, which means he is better equipped to make opposing defenders pay for guarding him too tightly behind the arc or fighting over the top on pick and rolls.

We just didn’t go to the bench at all late in the game. Ryan Spangler has been a beast on the boards this season for the Sooners, who lead the Big 12 in rebounding.

Oklahoma hopes to be the roadblock to the Jayhawks’ good fortune this year. I say all that to say this: With the talent Lon Kruger has in his back court this season – Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard flanking Hield – Oklahoma can play four around one and not have to worry about having a low-post scorer all that much.

Seton Hall guard Tabatha Richardson-Smith was named Big East Player of the Week after averaging 21.7 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Instead, Kansas chose to play straight-up defence and it worked.

With the game tied at 77 in the final seconds, Kansas missed a shot and OU’s Khadeem Lattin was fouled on the rebound with just two seconds left.

Graham hit two free throws to give KU a 107-106 lead.

Oklahoma’s players held their hands over their heads in disappointment as they sauntered to the locker room after it was over while the Kansas players reacted in joy, jubilation and exhaustion. They know each other well, they play for each other and they have a true National Player of the Year candidate in Buddy Hield. Mason again drove the left side of the lane, but this time he pulled up for a short jumper that was never close, and the game was headed to a third OT.

In the end, it came down to the Jayhawks’ defence and one huge gamble that paid off. Thus in a game between two teams with elite backcourts, the difference might turn out to be which frontcourt produces more.

KU trailed 106-105 when Landen Lucas batted the ball from Hield and Graham was fouled on the other end. Mason III went to the line for Kansas, making both from the stripe to go up 109-106 with 8.6 seconds left. As I wrote earlier, Kansas simply doesn’t lose games at home, and while they may end up losing four or five games on the road in a given season, they have a margin for error because … no one beats them in the Phog.

Buddy Hield was an absolute monster for the Sooners.

The Sooners visited Allen Fieldhouse for one of most anticipated college basketball games in recent memory, and everybody got their money’s worth as the Jayhawks and Sooners traded baskets back and forth throughout the 55-minute contest.

Wayne Selden Jr. had 21 points and Graham finished with 20 for the Jayhawks (13-1 overall, 2-0 Big 12 Conference), who had chances to win the game in regulation and each of the first two overtimes before finally getting it done.

But the game on Monday night was one for the ages. The two teams managed to hit the over on the 156-point O/U line as they went into the multiple overtimes. Now they face a No. 3 Kansas team that dominated a pretty good Baylor team, 102-74 on Saturday.