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Oklahoma vs Villanova, 78-55: Top players, final score and more

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 7, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Ryan Spangler (0) drives to the basket against Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Paschall (4) during the first half at Bloch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Ryan Spangler (0) drives to the basket against Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Paschall (4) during the first half at Bloch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
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This was one of the better matchups of the season between the No. 8 Villanova Wildcats and No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners.

College football has been in the spotlight for the past few months, but on Monday night, it was all about college basketball as two of the country’s top teams took to the hardwood to face off in the Pearl Harbor Invitational on the 74th anniversary of the attacks.

Neither the Oklahoma Sooners nor the Villanova Wildcats had a loss heading into this one and both were proving that they belonged among the country’s elite. Everyone knew that Oklahoma was a football school, but this was the perfect chance for the Sooners to show that they belonged in the conversation for national title in basketball as well.

The Wildcats struggled early and had a tough time keeping up with the Sooners and star guard Buddy Hield. Oklahoma took a six point lead into halftime and never looked back. Oklahoma absolutely ran away with this one in the second half.

This was the toughest contest for both teams to start the year, so there’s no doubt both will get even better and learn more about themselves as the season progresses, but right now, the Sooners are proving to be just as solid as the team that went to the Sweet 16 last year and Villanova might pass last year’s school record for wins.

Let’s take a look at the top players from this one and see how both teams played against the spread and who they will face in the next game.

Three Stars

Isaiah Cousins was one of two players who recorded a double-double in this one and was the top scorer with 19 points. He finished with 10 assists and six rebounds, looking like a star. Cousins was 4-of-4 for three.

Buddy Hield was the star player to watch and he didn’t disappoint, finishing with 18 points and four rebounds but didn’t finish with an assist.

Senior forward Ryan Spangler recorded the other double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Betting Odds

Villanova was a 3.5-point favorite in this one and the Wildcats failed to hold their end of the bargain, falling by 23.

Next Game

Oklahoma has just one more game left this week and the Sooners have a great chance to improve to 7-0 and even jump into the top-five when the next rankings come out. They face Oral Roberts at home on Saturday afternoon.

Villanova suffered a tough loss here but will have a chance to rebound against an inferior La Salle team at home on Sunday evening.