James: it’s ‘kill or be killed’
PITTSBURGH — Oklahoma junior guard Christian James has been to the NCAA Tournament before.
He’s experienced the thrills of March victory, playing an average of 27 minutes in Sweet 16 and Elite Eight wins during the 2016 Final Four run.
But James was mostly a role player on that team.
This time, he’s a focal point, one of the veteran leaders on a team that is the eighth least-experienced team in the 68-team field.
The No. 10-seed Sooners open the tournament against No. 7-seed Rhode Island at 11:15 a.m. Thursday at PPG Paints Arena.
“It’s a totally different role for me,” James said. “First, coming in, I wasn’t really doing much. I did what I could. Buddy (Hield), Isaiah (Cousins), Ryan (Spangler), you know, they would finish the plays. They would put me in the best position to make the right passes and rebound and stuff like that. This year it’s totally different. I have to be more vocal, I definitely have to step up my play and try to get some wins.”
So what’s he told the younger players about March Madness?
“It’s kill or be killed, honestly,” James said. “This tournament is nothing to be played with. It’s going to be a high level of play. We’re going to have to step up our level. A lot of people doubt us, but we’re not worried about that. We’re in, locked in and focused.”
Young misses Naismith Award finalists cut
There was a time not long ago when Trae Young was considered a near-lock to win the Naismith Award as college basketball’s top player.
Now, he’s not even a finalist.
Young missed out on one of the four finalist spots, it was announced Tuesday.
Arizona’s Deandre Ayton, Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, Villanova’s Jalen Brunson and Kansas’ Devonte’ Graham were named as the finalists.
The winner will be announced April 1.
McGusty misses practice
Sophomore guard Kameron McGusty, who has started the last five games for the Sooners after virtually falling out of the rotation for a time in early February, missed Monday’s practice in Norman due to illness.
“Should be OK by tomorrow,” Sooners coach Lon Kruger said.
McGusty, dressed in street clothes, watched the practice from a metal chair on the side of the court, staying engaged with his teammates — from a distance at least — while sipping on Gatorade.
Rams’ defense could make it tough on Sooners
A big key for the Sooners will be handling Rhode Island’s pressure on defense.
The Rams force turnovers in bunches. They're No. 5 nationally — and No. 3 in the tournament — in turnovers forced per possession.
“They’re active, rangy, athletic. They are aggressive, play hard,” Kruger said. “They get their hands on a lot of balls.”
Losing size off last year’s NCAA Tournament team, Rams coach Dan Hurley reworked his defensive scheme over the offseason to take advantage of personnel.
Rhode Island generally plays four guards, and their tallest player is 6-foot-8.
The Rams regularly switch off screens everywhere but in the middle.
Kruger said Rhode Island reminded him a bit at least of Texas Tech.
“They are similar size in terms of a big guy with four guards around him,” Kruger said. “I think for the most part more teams probably play small than big in the Big 12 so it’s not anything unusual in terms of preparing for Rhode Island like you would for other teams.”