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OU head coach Porter Moser says keep shooting

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo1 hour agoBPrzybylo
Jeff Nwankwo4
OU wing Jeff Nwankwo. (Nathan J. Fish - Imagn Images)

OU didn’t expect to have two losses just two weeks into the basketball season. But so far? Gonzaga and Nebraska are both undefeated.

If you’re trying to find a positive for OU, there ya go. But head coach Porter Moser isn’t looking for that type of positive. And he knows and the team knows their best ball needs to be in front of them.

That is going to start with the shooting and the defense.

Alcorn State at OU (3-2)
When: 1 p.m.
TV: SEC Network+

Moser is not discouraging anyone from shooting. There was a point Thursday where Jeff Nwankwo, Derrion Reid and Tae Davis had combined for two made 3-pointers all season.

Reid and Davis both made one in the second half. But it has been tough sledding in that department.

However, if they’re there, you have to take them.

“Yea, I really credit Jeff,” Moser said. “There’s no one in this building that works harder on his shot than Jeff. And Jeff can shoot it. He’s gotta see it go in a couple times. I think he’s gonna see it going in a couple times. But he didn’t let that affect his defense. I thought his energy got his hands on a lot of balls, did some nice things.

“So I love how he didn’t let his shot, he didn’t let that affect. He still had four rebounds. He had one assist, no turnovers, three steals, seven points. So that’s a credit to his character. Just not letting that… and it’s gonna go in for him. And we’re a better team. I mean, not by any stretch of imagination am I telling any of these guys not to shoot. So now get your feet set. But we’re a better team.”

About progress for Rogers

It has been a great start to the season for Mo Wague. He already has set his career high twice this season.

But for OU to get to where it really wants to go? Freshman Kai Rogers has to keep making the progress.

He played the final three minutes and earned the first four points of his career Thursday. OU doesn’t need 20-30 minutes. But Rogers has to be in the mix to help Wague and give Wague a breather.

“Everything is just chipping away progress for him,” Moser said. “The fact that he got in there felt good. Got a dunk, an offensive rebound, made his minutes count I thought. I thought he did a couple good things defensively. Moved his feet, set a nice screen, just logging in experience and confidence with that.

“Just continuing to get him ready. I’m going to look at the tape, but I was pleased with his minutes. Got a nice offensive rebound, got himself going, rolled hard, Reid found him for a dunk. It was good to see Kai get in there and get some minutes and some progress.”

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