HOUSTON (AP) – Oklahoma’s wonderful season ended with a thud.
Embarrassed by a 44-point loss to Villanova in the Final Four, the Sooners are left to figure out what’s next.
“Disappointed these guys today have this feeling, but not disappointed in this group for what they’ve accomplished,” coach Lon Kruger said. “They’ve been outstanding. I’m very proud of them. They’ve changed the culture of basketball at the University of Oklahoma and they will have an effect on the program for a lot of years ahead.”
The last game of superstar Buddy Hield’s career at Oklahoma was perhaps his worst. The senior from the Bahamas, who had 37 points in the regional final to punch Oklahoma’s ticket to Houston, was held to just nine points on 4 of 12 shooting. It was only his second single-digit performance of the season.
“Just really appreciate everything that he’s done for the program,” Kruger said. “I think college basketball, as well. He’s a good story.”