Young-Manek connection key

The on-court chemistry between Oklahoma point guard Trae Young and forward Brady Manek is a main reason the Sooners have climbed to No. 12 in the latest national rankings.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Trust.

That’s been the biggest factor in the development of the chemistry between No. 12-ranked Oklahoma’s two starting freshmen — point guard Trae Young and forward Brady Manek.

“Being able to have that pick-and-pop action really throughout the game and him really trusting me to knock down shots,” Manek said of the key to his connection with Young. “Everybody else on the team moves the ball well. If we don’t have a shot, then somebody else will. That’s the great thing about this year’s team.”

Going into Saturday’s Big 12 opener at No. 10 TCU (1 p.m., ESPN2), 28 of Manek’s 49 field goals have come off assists from Young.

Manek's hit 14 3-pointers, six dunks and five layups taking feeds from the phenom from Norman North.

“Obviously there’s a real comfort level there in terms of reading each other and getting the ball to each other at the right time,” Sooners coach Lon Kruger said. “Trae has confidence in Brady around the rim.”

Sometimes the connection between the two even leaves Kruger holding his breath a bit.

“He’s thrown a couple to Brady that I kind of wondered at the moment of release, and Brady still finished it,” Kruger said. “So that’s why Trae’s got confidence in him.”

After two strong games to start the season, Manek averaged just 5.6 points per game during the next five games, shooting just

35 percent.

But over the last four games, he's averaging 17.3 points and shooting 57 percent from the floor.

“It’s strictly confidence,” Manek said. “Seeing the ball go in knowing I could make it.”

Manek had adjusted to a role he’s been unfamiliar with in the past.

When he was starring at Harrah, defenses focused tightly on him. With the Sooners, with Young on the floor, Manek has found much more room to work.

“I had pretty much

the whole team guarding me. They were all on help,” Manek said. “Every time I’d pick and pop, I’d always have another guy on me. But now, they’re having to stay true to help defense and stuff because we have other shooters on the court. Being able to space the floor like that helps a lot.”

During the Dec. 16 win at No. 3 Wichita State, Manek and Young connected consistently with the pick-and-pop game, especially early.

“We probably ran it 10 times in a row, and either

I scored or he hit a three,” Young said. “That’s a good rhythm to be in . ... I love to pick and pop to him, and in transition I always know where he’s at. He’s the first person I look for in transition, no matter if he’s behind me, in front of me, right next to me.

“He’s the first person I look for because I know he’s smart enough to get to where there’s an opening for him to score and get a quick bucket, and I know if I throw it around the rim he can go get it, too.”