HOUSTON — It was not the game Buddy Hield wanted to give his fans in Norman or in attendance at NRG Stadium Saturday night.
The senior guard closed his career with nine points on 12 shots in a 91-55 blowout loss to No. 2 Villanova in the Final Four.
The devastating loss closed Hield's career with Oklahoma, but it does not diminish the memories he shared with the program.
“It’s a tough out right now, but I would never trade any school for OU,” Hield said.
The Sooner faithful have reciprocated that admiration for their star player this season.
The attendance in Lloyd Noble Center received a major increase from the previous year. The program sold out nearly every home game this season.
“I appreciate them. I love them,” Hield said. “I really appreciated the fans at Oklahoma. It wasn’t like the Bahamas, but they made it home for me.”
Hield will soon transition from college star to NBA prospect in the coming months, but the Freeport, Bahamas, native will not soon forget the crazed crimson-and-cream crew that supported him the last four years in Norman.
“I will always love them, and I’ll always cherish the moments I had there.”
