OU needs Milos Uzan to get back on track at Texas
OU basketball goes into its game at Texas wondering about point guard Javian McCollum. He missed Tuesday’s game with a shoulder injury. Head coach Porter Moser said McCollum will be a game-time decision for the Sooners.
It would obviously be great for OU to get McCollum back. But whether he’s there or not, OU needs a bounce back outing from point guard Milos Uzan.
Uzan, one of the team captains, has been a calm and steady presence for the Sooners. But for whatever reason, simply didn’t have it against Cincinnati.
Without McCollum in the lineup, you thought it might bring out the best in Uzan. It went the other way with two points, four turnovers and fouling out. And just looking lost out there.
That can’t happen again.
“All I’ve done is instill how much confidence I do have in him,” Moser told SoonerScoop. “Nothing has changed, a two-year starter. So much confidence in him. He’s been with us, day-in, day-out every day for two years.
“For him? He’s been in the gym, working harder, which you want. We saw film where we could have done things better, everyone. No doubt, next game up. Put that behind us, and that’s all we’ve done. Nothing but instill a tremendous amount of confidence.”
How to watch
OU (20-10, 8-9) at Texas (19-11, 9-8)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPN
The Horns
Moser is still looking for his first win against Texas. The Sooners had a disappointing effort in Norman against UT earlier this season.
All the things Moser said about Texas for the first game? Still apply Saturday.
“I have so much respect for three off the guys that just absolutely play so hard on the offensive glass, and that’s (Chendall) Weaver, Brock Cunningham and Dillon Mitchell,” Moser said. “Those guys are so valuable how much they crash the glass. You got two elite scorers.
“You know, I think (Dylan) Disu and Max (Abmas) are two of the best scorers in (not only) the country, but our league. You got guys like Tyrese Hunter, who’s defending, and they got (Ithiel) Horton defending. And I just think they’ve got a great balance right now of guys playing to their strengths, playing together.”
Cole working the plan
Went a different direction in talking to Moser on Friday. Asked about the progress of freshman Jacolb Cole.
Always interesting to hear the updates of someone who is going through that redshirt season, and how they’re handling it.
“Awesome. Great. Works out every single day, gotten stronger,” Moser said. “He is embracing what you need to do when you sit out. I had a lot of guys sit out at Loyola that just got better. Some people, now it’s hard because nobody sits out. In the past, you sit out? Just thinking about the next year and logging in time.
“Jacob has embraced every day, getting better. He’s stronger and bigger. He’s getting that knee healthy, remember he tore that ACL. You don’t see any lagging effects from that. He is on the scout team with tremendous confidence Trying to give it to our first-team and second-team every day. Couldn’t be happier with his mentality, attitude and progression during his redshirt year.”
Final word
“It’ll be a game-time decision for Javian, based on his pain tolerance. We’ll see how that feels. But he’s progressing, for sure, and it will be a game-time decision.” – Moser on McCollum
