OU basketball lost to Texas A&M on the road and dropped to 2-5 in SEC play after failing to turn the tide.

The University of Oklahoma men’s basketball team’s 2024 season has been marked by high expectations but disappointing results in conference play. Their most recent setback came in a road game against Texas A&M, where the Sooners were unable to overcome a slow start and fell short in a 68-55 loss. The defeat not only handed Oklahoma their fifth loss in SEC play, dropping their conference record to 2-5, but it also underscored ongoing issues that have plagued the team throughout the season. This article will break down the game, examine the key moments, analyze the factors contributing to the Sooners’ struggles in SEC play, and explore how they might turn things around as the season progresses.

A Slow Start Sets the Tone

From the opening tip-off, it was clear that Oklahoma was going to have a difficult time against Texas A&M on the road. The Sooners came out sluggish, unable to find any rhythm offensively or defensively. Texas A&M capitalized early, taking advantage of Oklahoma’s lack of intensity and establishing a commanding lead. The Aggies’ aggressive defense and efficient offense forced Oklahoma into a series of bad shots and turnovers, preventing the Sooners from gaining any traction in the first half.

By halftime, Oklahoma trailed 35-21, struggling to find any consistency on offense and failing to defend the paint effectively. Texas A&M’s defense swarmed the ball, closing passing lanes and forcing Oklahoma to rely on contested outside shots, which simply weren’t falling. In a game where every possession counted, Oklahoma’s inability to get good looks at the basket or defend against A&M’s inside attack put them at a significant disadvantage.

Offensive Woes and Poor Shot Selection

One of the primary factors in Oklahoma’s defeat was their offensive struggles. Throughout the first half and into the second, the Sooners’ offense seemed disjointed and stagnant. Despite having talented scorers such as Grant Sherfield and Jalen Hill, the Sooners were unable to generate quality offensive possessions. Part of the issue stemmed from poor shot selection, with players often rushing shots or forcing difficult attempts rather than running their offense and creating open looks.

Grant Sherfield, who has been the team’s leading scorer this season, struggled to get into a rhythm against Texas A&M’s defense. The Aggies’ defense, led by their aggressive perimeter defenders, consistently disrupted Sherfield’s offensive flow, making it difficult for him to get clean looks or to facilitate for his teammates. Sherfield finished with 12 points, but his shooting was inefficient, and his offensive output was limited by the tough coverage.

Jalen Hill also found himself under pressure for much of the game. The senior forward, who has been a key player for Oklahoma all season, was unable to make a significant impact offensively. Hill finished with only 6 points and was held to just 3 rebounds in the game. Texas A&M’s size and physicality in the post made it difficult for Oklahoma to establish any offensive presence inside, and Hill struggled to make his presence felt.

Oklahoma’s lack of ball movement and fluidity in their offensive sets contributed to their struggles as well. When they did manage to get open shots, they often failed to knock them down. The Sooners shot just 35% from the field in the game, including a disappointing 4-of-17 from beyond the arc. Their inability to convert from the outside only compounded their difficulties, as Texas A&M could continue to collapse on the paint and contest their inside attempts.

Defensive Lapses and A&M’s Efficient Scoring

On the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma’s lack of intensity and focus was equally concerning. While Texas A&M’s offense isn’t one of the most explosive in the SEC, they were able to exploit Oklahoma’s defensive lapses in key areas. The Aggies dominated in the paint, scoring 38 of their 68 points inside. Oklahoma’s defenders struggled to contain A&M’s big men, who were able to get easy baskets and second-chance opportunities due to poor positioning and weak rebounding efforts.

Oklahoma’s interior defense was particularly vulnerable, allowing Texas A&M to shoot 53% from the field. The Sooners were also outrebounded 42-30, a margin that reflected their inability to secure defensive boards and limit second-chance opportunities. Texas A&M’s offense thrived on these extra possessions, which allowed them to extend their lead and keep Oklahoma from ever truly getting back into the game.

Oklahoma also struggled to defend the three-point line, as the Aggies were able to hit timely threes when needed. Texas A&M’s shooters, led by Tyrece Radford, were efficient from long range, connecting on 8 of 20 three-point attempts (40%). Oklahoma’s perimeter defense was inconsistent, allowing A&M’s shooters to find open looks in transition and on ball reversals. This defensive lapse further hampered the Sooners’ efforts to claw back into the game.

Lack of Adjustments and Momentum Shifts

Throughout the game, Oklahoma seemed to lack the ability to adjust to Texas A&M’s strategies and momentum shifts. Despite being down by double digits at halftime, the Sooners didn’t come out with the intensity or adjustments needed to mount a comeback. They continued to run the same offensive sets that had been ineffective in the first half, and defensively, they failed to make the necessary changes to slow down A&M’s inside game and perimeter shooting.

In the second half, Oklahoma did manage to cut the deficit slightly at times, but they were unable to sustain any runs. The Aggies consistently answered with timely baskets or stops, never allowing Oklahoma to fully shift the momentum. The inability to build any sustained pressure on A&M was a key reason why the Sooners failed to make the game competitive down the stretch.

This lack of ability to shift momentum is a concerning trend for Oklahoma in SEC play. In many of their losses, the Sooners have struggled to find ways to get back into games when faced with adversity. Whether it’s a slow start or a lack of adjustments, this pattern has contributed to their disappointing 2-5 conference record.

Key Takeaways from the Loss

Oklahoma’s loss to Texas A&M highlights several recurring issues that have been evident throughout the season. These problems include:

1. Inconsistent Offensive Execution: Oklahoma’s offense has struggled to find a consistent rhythm, especially in conference play. Their shot selection, ball movement, and overall offensive flow have been inconsistent, and against teams like Texas A&M, that inefficiency can quickly result in a large deficit.
2. Defensive Breakdown: While Oklahoma’s defense has had moments of success, they have struggled to defend the paint, rebound effectively, and contest outside shots consistently. The Aggies’ ability to dominate inside and shoot efficiently from the perimeter exposed the flaws in Oklahoma’s defensive schemes.
3. Lack of Leadership and Intensity: In the midst of adversity, Oklahoma has struggled to find a leader who can step up and guide the team through difficult stretches. The Sooners’ inability to make adjustments during key moments of the game further highlighted the team’s lack of leadership and cohesion on both ends of the floor.
4. Poor Road Performance: Oklahoma’s struggles on the road have been a consistent theme throughout the season. Winning away games in the SEC is always challenging, but the Sooners have failed to rise to the occasion in key road contests, which has contributed to their lackluster conference record.

What Needs to Change Moving Forward

Despite their struggles, Oklahoma still has the opportunity to salvage their season if they can make the necessary adjustments. Here are a few key areas where the Sooners must improve:

1. Offensive Efficiency: The Sooners need to improve their offensive execution by creating better shot opportunities and getting more players involved in the offense. Grant Sherfield has been the team’s leader, but others like Jalen Hill and Bijan Cortes need to step up and contribute more consistently. Improving ball movement and player movement off the ball will also be crucial in finding open shots.
2. Defensive Adjustments: Oklahoma must address their interior defense and rebounding issues. They need to be more physical in the paint, secure defensive rebounds, and contest shots at the rim. Better communication on defense, especially in switching and help defense, will also be essential in preventing easy scoring opportunities.
3. Resiliency and Leadership: The Sooners need to find a way to respond to adversity, especially on the road. Leadership on the floor is crucial, and the team needs to rally around each other during tough moments to shift momentum in their favor. They must develop a mentality that allows them to fight through difficult stretches and maintain intensity throughout the game.
4. Road Success: Finally, Oklahoma needs to find a way to perform better on the road. With several tough away games remaining in SEC play, the Sooners cannot afford to let their struggles away from home continue. They need to approach road games with a focused, disciplined mindset to improve their chances of competing for postseason spots.