Sooners Set to Honor Buddy Hield as They Host Texas A&M
The Oklahoma Sooners are gearing up for a big weekend at the Lloyd Noble Center, not just because they're facing Texas A&M, but because they're celebrating one of their own. Buddy Hield, a standout from the 2015-16 team that made it to the Final Four, will have his No. 24 jersey retired in a special halftime ceremony. It's a fitting tribute to a player who was named National Collegiate Player of the Year during his senior season.
Adding to the festivities, the Sooners are hosting a 10-year reunion for the 2015-16 Final Four team, complete with an on-court ceremony before the game. This matchup against Texas A&M is more than just another game-it's a celebration of Oklahoma basketball history.
Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M: A Storied Rivalry
Oklahoma leads the all-time series against Texas A&M 32-13, though the Aggies have had the upper hand recently, winning the last four encounters, including an 83-76 victory earlier this season. The rivalry dates back to 1960, with the Sooners dominating the early years, winning 25 of the first 26 games.
Currently, Oklahoma is coming off a tough 89-66 loss to Tennessee, while Texas A&M snapped a four-game losing streak with a narrow 80-77 win over Ole Miss. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network at 7:30 p.m. CT, featuring commentary from Mike Morgan and analysis by Jon Sundvold.
Scouting Texas A&M
Texas A&M is a scoring powerhouse, averaging 89.5 points per game, ranking fourth in the SEC. Their offense is driven by graduate forward Rashaun Agee, who leads the team with 13.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Agee was instrumental in the Aggies' previous win over Oklahoma, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Aggies boast a deep bench, averaging 37.3 points per game from their reserves, second-best in the nation. Pop Isaacs, a former Texas Tech transfer, is a key contributor off the bench with a 9.8 scoring average. A&M’s offensive strategy heavily relies on three-pointers, ranking second in the SEC in both field-goal percentage and made threes per game.
Oklahoma’s Game Plan
For the Sooners, the backcourt duo of Xzayvier Brown and Nijel Pack has been crucial. When both are in sync, Oklahoma becomes a formidable opponent.
Pack has been on a scoring tear, hitting 20 or more points in four of his last seven games. Meanwhile, Brown has struggled recently but was a consistent scorer earlier in the season.
Oklahoma's SEC record stands at 3-10, but they've shown potential, holding halftime leads in several games. Redshirt freshman Kuol Atak has been a bright spot, especially from beyond the arc, hitting 62% of his three-point attempts in recent home games.
While Texas A&M thrives on bench production, Oklahoma has seen mixed results. The Sooners' reserves have been more effective lately, contributing significantly in their few conference wins.
Game Outlook
This is a winnable game for Oklahoma, especially on home turf. However, their defensive lapses have been a concern, allowing opponents to move the ball effectively and score inside. Texas A&M's ability to shoot from the perimeter poses an additional challenge.
For the Sooners to come out on top, they'll need to tighten up their defense, particularly on the perimeter, while preventing easy baskets in the paint. If they can execute their game plan, Oklahoma has a good chance to secure a victory and cap off a memorable night honoring Buddy Hield.