Oklahoma basketball: Lon Kruger getting all the praise after gutsy win over Missouri
Head coach Lon Kruger is getting showered with praise after Oklahoma basketball advanced past Missouri thanks to a gutsy strategic foul.
Oklahoma basketball came into their first NCAA Tournament game with a difficult task. Getting by No. 9 seed Missouri would be no cakewalk, especially with second-leading scorer De’Vion Harmon ruled out with COVID-19.
It’s a good thing the Sooners have a good head coach.
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Lon Kruger proved his worth by guiding Oklahoma to a 72-68 victory thanks in no small part to a critical decision in the final seconds.
With the Sooners leading by three points, Elijah Harkless fouled Missouri’s Drew Buggs to send him to the free-throw line for two shots instead of allowing a game-tying three-point attempt. The strategy worked perfectly.
Lon Kruger said Elijah Harkless fouling at the end of the game up 3 points was something talked about in the huddle beforehand, and is something they do in practice all the time
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) March 21, 2021
They were prepared for that spot #Sooners
Kruger was roundly praised for the move, as he should have been. Preparation is the key to winning, and the head coach made sure his players knew exactly what to do in the critical moment.
Also, that was a hell of a call from Lon Kruger to foul on that last possession. That’s brilliant. Every coach should do it.
— Brandon (@sleepyat830) March 21, 2021
Oklahoma beats Missouri without De'Vion Harmon because Lon Kruger was smart enough to foul when up by 3 points. The lesson, ladies and gentlemen: Foul when up by 3 points! It's not foolproof, but it's as close to foolproof as you can get.
— Zach Chase (@zachchase24) March 21, 2021
Oklahoma football head coach Lincoln Riley was among the people giving Kruger big-time props.
Gutsy win @OU_MBBall & @LonKruger ‼️
— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) March 21, 2021
Love watching this team!
Kruger’s coaching skills weren’t limited to that one moment. He’s been getting the most out of Oklahoma all season.
Lon Kruger has taken multiple programs to the Final Four, but this has to be up there with the best coaching jobs of his career. Oklahoma has now swept West Virginia and beaten Alabama, Kansas, and Texas.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 13, 2021
With another tournament victory under his belt, there may be some debate about what objects Kruger could get into the second round.
I’m convinced at this point that Lon Kruger and Rick Pitino could take 5 broomsticks to the 2nd Round.
— MattT (@MattThompson87) March 21, 2021
Lon Kruger could take 5 folding chairs to the round of 32
— John (@John_Jacobs23) March 21, 2021
On Monday, the Sooners will go on to take on the winner of Gonzaga’s tilt with Norfolk State. The No. 1 overall seed is likely to prevail in that one, so the challenge ahead of Kruger and Oklahoma is a huge one.
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