Without Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes, Porter Moser’s team still found a way.

The Oklahoma Sooners were without three contributors, but they were still able to claw out a 71-69 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats to open Big 12 play.

Entering the game without Tanner Groves — its leading scorer and rebounder — as well as Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes due to health and safety protocols, Oklahoma knew it would have to rely on its defensive intensity to open the new year on a high note. That’s exactly what happened to open up the game, as OU held the Wildcats to 22 points on 32 percent shooting while forcing nine turnovers. However, K-State would catch fire in the second half, and the Sooners would need four clutch free throws from Umoja Gibson to pull it out in the end.

Offensively, Elijah Harkless carried the torch for the Sooners, scoring 21 points on 7-12 shooting and hitting all four of his three-point attempts. After Kansas State was able to tie the game at 65 in the closing moments, Harkless took it upon himself to make a play, and make a play he did with just 35 seconds remaining.

The importance of pulling out this win can’t be overstated, as Oklahoma’s upcoming schedule is as challenging as any in the country. Here’s the remainder of OU’s January:

• 1/4 at No. 1 Baylor
• 1/8 vs. No. 8 Iowa State
• 1/11 at No. 17 Texas
• 1/15 at TCU
• 1/18 vs. No. 6 Kansas
• 1/22 vs. No. 1 Baylor
• 1/26 at West Virginia
• 1/29 at No. 11 Auburn (Big 12-SEC Challenge)

If the Sooners can win three of these games, they’ll probably be in okay shape moving forward. Going .500 or better would have me over the moon.

The Sooners will be down three players due to health and safety protocols.

After a strong start consisting of a few quality wins, the Oklahoma Sooners open Big 12 play against the Kansas State Wildcats at the LNC. Unfortunately, per OU Athletics, the home squad will be without Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes due to health and safety protocols.

Oklahoma (10-2) vs. Kansas State (8-3): Saturday, 7 p.m. CT at the Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, OK)

TV: ESPNU

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Commentary: Mike Corey and King McClure

Radio: Sooner Sports Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Varsity Radio App) with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry announcing

Line: Oklahoma -8 (as of 6 p.m. CT Saturday)

About Kansas State

• The Wildcats are 8-3 on the season, suffering losses to Arkansas, Illinois and Marquette — all big single digits. K-State has won its last three contests, including a 67-58 win at Nebraska on Dec. 19. Their most recent scheduled contest — Dec 29 vs. North Florida — was cancelled due to COVID absences in the UNF program.
• K-State sits at No. 66 in KenPom’s team efficiency rankings, sitting at No. 131 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 38 in adjusted defensive efficiency. As usual, Kansas State operates at a slow pace, ranking No. 236 nationally in adjusted tempo.
• The Wildcats are led in scoring by Nigel Pack, who is averaging 14.9 PPG while connecting on nearly 44 percent of his three-point attempts.

One Big Thing

OU will be without the services of Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes this evening due to health and safety protocols. Tanner, the elder Groves brother, leads the Sooners in scoring and rebounding at 14.2 and 6.0. respectively. The younger Groves has averaged 3.5 PPG in 13.3 minutes per outing, while Cortes has averaged 1.6 PPG and 1.3 AP in 9.6 MPG. The latter has served as the primary backup to Jordan Goldwire at PG as of late, so we’ll likely see a bit of true freshman Alston Mason this evening.

Prediction

Ins site of the absences, OU’s defensive intensity should win the day on its home court. This will likely be an ugly won, but a win in Big 12 play can’t be taken for granted.

Oklahoma 66, Kansas State 60