Opportunity is the way short-handed OU looks at KU challenge

For the second time this season, OU basketball is catching Kansas after a loss. But the circumstances are a lot different this time around.

The Jayhawks just got throttled, losing 79-50 at Texas Tech. And OU is coming off the struggle bus in a 79-62 defeat at Baylor.

However, KU is getting healthy, while OU looks to be incredibly short-handed. It doesn’t appear as though Rivaldo Soares or John Hugley will be in action for the Sooners.

How to watch

No. 6 Kansas (19-6, 7-5) at No. 25 OU (18-7, 6-6)
When: 3 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPN

Hugley injured his knee during last weekend’s Bedlam win vs. Oklahoma State, head coach Porter Moser confirmed Friday.

Soares turned his left ankle with five minutes left in the loss to the Bears. Moser said it was too early to know Friday afternoon, but you could see the wheels turning. They won’t be in action, and other guys are going to have to jump at this opportunity.

“We’re going to have some different guys in there, and it’s an opportunity to step up,” Moser said. “There’s always been scenarios when one man goes down, next man up. Now we got two men down, so we have to have a couple guys step up. Kaden Cooper (needs) to be ready. For him, and Luke for him to be in there. And heck, Yaya Keita, if Yaya gets in there. All hands-on deck. That’s what I told everybody: All hands-on deck.

“There’s going to be scenarios. But with that, just like any adversity with anything, it’s opportunity. It’s opportunity for someone to come in and step up, someone that’s already playing to step up, and that’s what we got to have.”

As OU licks its wounds, it does feel like Kevin McCullar will return to the lineup for the Jayhawks.

Godwin time

Some new faces will have to step up, absolutely. But another part of this equation? The familiar names need to bring an elite effort with elite execution vs. KU.

That starts with center Sam Godwin. He has to be better than good and have one of those out-of-body experiences. The Sooners need it.

“Sam’s gotta be big,” Moser said. “I remember he came out as sore as he’d been all year banging up against Hunter in that game, but that’s part of it. I think those guys are looking forward to the challenge. I felt like they did some really good things in Lawrence, but they didn’t do enough. It was a little of them, a little bit of things we could’ve done better.

“There’s a huge respect for that program and the players they have on that team. There’s an edge that I think they have knowing the opportunity we have.”

Wait, Maks?!?

You heard that right. Moser mentioned Maks Klanjscek as someone who might see some meaningful minutes.

Well-traveled super senior, Maks has seen a lot during his time. But this would be something incredibly different.

“The one thing about Maks is he is older,” Moser said. “He’s played a lot of games. That’s the one benefit is, he’s an older young man. What also I think has been good for Maks is he’s kept his mind right. He’s absolutely in practice every day.

“Of course he wants to play, he just hasn’t had his number called with Javian and Los staying healthy and those guys doing really well. But in practice, our guys got confidence in him. He runs the gold team a lot in practice. He does a lot of good things. And he’s older, so for him I think he’s excited about this opportunity.”

Final word

“I think it’s awesome. I’m a big part of your past creates your future. I was in college when Billy Ball was going on. I was in college when they went to the national championship against Kansas. I was in college watching the fastest team I had seen, to that point, play. Then I got to know him, coaching against him when he was at TCU and I was at Texas A&M in my profession. He’s a for-sure Hall of Famer. He needs to be in the Hall of Fame. His impact on a storied program is profound… of what Billy Tubbs – it’s synonymous with Oklahoma basketball, especially when I was coming up. I love that we’re honoring him.

“There are a ton of former players coming back. It’s apropos it’s Kansas. I know they played in the national championship game. For everybody around, it’s a great night to honor a legend, a for-sure, should-be Hall of Famer in Billy Tubbs. – Moser on honoring OU legend Billy Tubbs on Saturday