OU Basketball: Three Things to Remember After Oklahoma’s Late Comeback Against No. 7 LSU Falls Short

In a thrilling, high-stakes matchup, the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team faced off against the seventh-ranked LSU Tigers in a game that lived up to all expectations. Despite a dramatic late-game comeback effort, the Sooners ultimately fell short, suffering a narrow defeat. While the final buzzer left Oklahoma with a bitter taste of what might have been, the game provided a glimpse into the team’s potential, resilience, and areas that need improvement. For Sooners fans and analysts alike, there are several key takeaways from the contest that offer both optimism and caution as the team continues its season.

As Oklahoma gave everything they had to claw back into the game against LSU, a program known for its strong defense and offensive firepower, there are three important things to remember that will shape the Sooners’ outlook moving forward. These takeaways not only reveal the strengths of the team but also highlight the challenges they face as they look to improve and compete at the highest level.

1. Oklahoma’s Resilience Shows Promise for the Future

One of the most impressive aspects of the game against LSU was Oklahoma’s resilience, particularly in the second half. After trailing by double digits for most of the game, the Sooners fought back with relentless intensity. Their ability to claw their way back into a game against one of the top teams in the country is a testament to their grit and determination.

For head coach Porter Moser, this type of comeback effort is a sign that his team has the mental toughness required to compete in the tough Big 12 conference and against national powerhouses like LSU. Despite facing significant adversity, the Sooners showed they could weather the storm and put together a competitive stretch of basketball.

Oklahoma’s late-game surge was spearheaded by some timely scoring from its leaders. Senior guard Tanner Groves—who has been a key figure for the Sooners all season—stepped up with critical shots that helped narrow the gap. Groves, along with the rest of the team, made defensive adjustments and took better care of the basketball as they inched closer to LSU.

The fact that the Sooners were able to recover in such a high-pressure environment against an elite opponent is a positive takeaway for the program’s growth. While the game ended in a loss, it should serve as a confidence booster for a team that will be tested by many more tough matchups this season.

Resilience, especially in the face of adversity, is a vital trait for teams looking to make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament. If Oklahoma can continue to demonstrate this ability to fight back, especially when games seem out of reach, they will be much more dangerous moving forward.

2. The Need for Consistency on Both Sides of the Ball

While Oklahoma’s comeback attempt was commendable, it also highlighted one of the team’s ongoing challenges: consistency. Throughout the game, the Sooners struggled to maintain their level of play on both ends of the court, particularly in the first half when LSU built up a significant lead.

Offensively, Oklahoma was often stagnant at times, especially when trying to break through LSU’s defense. The Sooners were forced to settle for contested shots and struggled with ball movement, leading to scoring droughts that allowed the Tigers to pull away. While Groves and others contributed late in the game, Oklahoma needs to find ways to keep their offensive flow intact for longer stretches, particularly against top-tier teams.

One aspect of Oklahoma’s offense that needs to improve is shot selection. While the Sooners did find success in stretches, their inability to consistently make open shots or run effective offensive sets led to a lack of rhythm. Against an opponent like LSU, where defensive pressure is relentless, Oklahoma will need to take smarter shots and make sure the offense isn’t stymied by rushed or ill-advised attempts.

Defensively, Oklahoma struggled with LSU’s size and athleticism, particularly on the interior. The Tigers exploited mismatches in the paint, where Oklahoma was outmuscled at times. LSU also managed to hit some key three-pointers that stretched the Sooners’ defense and created additional issues. Despite being able to tighten up their defense toward the end of the game, Oklahoma gave up too many easy looks earlier on.

The key takeaway here is that Oklahoma can compete with anyone when they play with defensive intensity and offensive efficiency. However, they need to improve their consistency, especially in the early and middle portions of games, in order to avoid falling into the kinds of holes that make comebacks difficult.

For head coach Porter Moser, the task will be finding ways to establish rhythm early on both ends of the floor. By getting solid offensive possessions and tightening up defensively from the opening tip, the Sooners can avoid digging themselves into too many holes in the future.

3. The Youth Movement: Promising Freshmen and Key Development

Another important takeaway from Oklahoma’s close loss to LSU is the emergence of young players, particularly the talented freshmen on the roster. While the veterans, like Groves, are expected to lead the charge, the freshmen have shown that they can step up and contribute when needed.

Freshman guard Bijan Cortes, who has steadily become a more integral part of the Sooners’ rotation, provided a spark during the team’s comeback attempt. His scoring, ball-handling, and ability to create for his teammates showed just how promising he can be as he develops. Although still adjusting to the college game, Cortes’ composure under pressure demonstrated that he has the potential to be a difference-maker for Oklahoma in the coming seasons.

Additionally, Jalen Hill, another freshman, showed signs of being a key contributor on both ends of the floor. His defensive awareness, shot-blocking, and rebounding ability will make him a valuable asset as the season progresses. Hill’s presence in the paint is something the Sooners will need to rely on more in future matchups, especially against bigger teams like LSU.

While Oklahoma has a solid group of experienced upperclassmen, the team’s future success will largely depend on how quickly their freshmen continue to develop. If these young players continue to grow into their roles, they will help elevate Oklahoma’s play and provide an additional layer of depth and versatility.

For Oklahoma to reach its full potential, it will be important to find the right balance between veteran leadership and youthful energy. The freshmen are already showing promise, but as the season unfolds, it will be essential for them to build on their moments of brilliance and become more consistent contributors.

What’s Next for the Sooners?

Oklahoma’s near-comeback against LSU may have ended in defeat, but it was far from a disastrous loss. Instead, it served as a valuable learning experience for the team. The Sooners demonstrated that they can compete at a high level and that, with improvements in consistency and a continued focus on their defensive and offensive schemes, they can hold their own against ranked opponents.

Moving forward, Oklahoma will need to continue improving on both ends of the floor. The Big 12, with its strong competition, will provide plenty of opportunities for the Sooners to build on the lessons learned from this loss. Key matchups against conference rivals will provide chances for the team to showcase its resilience, while also allowing the freshmen to further develop under pressure.

For coach Porter Moser, the challenge is to ensure that the team plays with the same level of intensity and focus in every game, avoiding the peaks and valleys that were evident against LSU. By improving consistency on offense, tightening up defense, and continuing to integrate the freshmen into the rotation, Oklahoma can position itself for a successful season and a shot at making a deep run in March.