COLUMBIA, S.C. — The final two hours of Oklahoma’s season were sucked away in a slow, methodical manner by a Virginia squad that has built its brand on such a style.
OU’s coaching staff emphasized a game plan of driving the lane and kicking out to shooters, but there were few lanes to drive and even fewer shooters to kick out to.
No. 1 seed Virginia ended No. 9 seed OU’s season 63-51 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Beating Virginia’s pack line defense — one focused on not allowing any buckets in the paint — required the Sooners to shoot well from three and tempt the Cavaliers to flee their comfort zone.