Scouting Rhode Island MBB's First Round Opponent - The Oklahoma Sooners
Rhode Island MBB tips off against Oklahoma at 12:15pm on Thursday on CBS and it is time to build a scouting report (from a Rhode Island perspective) on the opponent.
The likes about Oklahoma's gameplay:
1. They were absolutely destroyed on the boards while they went 4-11 in their past 15 games, like in their first round loss in the Big 12 tournament. Against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Sooners grabbed 27 total rebounds while their opposition grabbed a whopping 53 total rebounds!
2. Outside of the multi-faceted Trae Young, Oklahoma has a bunch of catch-and-shoot players that Rhode Island can shut down relatively easily. Of their top four scorers, three of them are underclassmen (Young, Brady Manek, and Kameron McGusty). Even in their big road win at then #3 Wichita State, they relied heavily on the catching and shooting from the outside.
3. Trae Young can be overwhelmed when he is being double teamed or when he tries to do too much (skip to 3:36 in the following video).
The dislikes about Oklahoma's gameplay:
1. Trae Young can take over the game with his scoring (i.e. his game against Oregon in the PK80 tournament).
2. Trae Young can take over the game with his passing (i.e. his game versus Northwestern State).
Oklahoma men's basketball obviously revolves around Trae Young this season and the Rhode Island Rams are the team to shut down the Trae Young show for good. It is time to send the overhyped Oklahoma Sooners home right off the bat.
