Oklahoma men's basketball: Focus shifts from past to future in Sooners' 73-68 win over TCU

It was all smiles as seniors C.J. Cole, Daniel Harper and Jordan Woodard took center court to pose with their loved ones in front of their framed honorary jerseys on senior day Sunday afternoon. Each player received praise individually before coming together for a collective photo, flanked by coach Lon Kruger and athletic director Joe Castiglione.

Once the festivities were over and the ball was tipped, the baton was passed to the future. The Sooners’ group of young guns showed a glimmer of what was to come in the team’s 73-68 victory over the Horned Frogs.

Freshman guard Kameron McGusty filed in points in a fashion that has been a staple for him since the mark of the new year. This year McGusty has scored in double-digits in 17 of the last 18 games, capped by his 22-point performance against TCU.

Freshman forward Kristian Doolittle's 19-point, 13-rebound performance was the big man's fourth double-double of the season. 

Collectively, the youthful Sooners overcame their season-long struggle of finishing close games against the Horned Frogs.

"We've been here before and we weren't going to slip up this time," McGusty said. 

With the game tied at 66 with 1:09 remaining, Oklahoma finished on a 7-2 advantage, thanks to the free-throw line.

McGusty stepped up and made two free throws to give Oklahoma the lead. Freshman guard Jordan Shepherd, who had a relatively modest day, extended the Sooners' lead to two possession with a pair of free-throws. Doolittle capped off the last three points from the stripe. 

Junior forward Khadeem Lattin's delivered his fifth block vehemently in the final seconds to ensure the team's five-point, regular-season finale win. 

"Down the stretch, these three guys kind of led the way," Kruger said. "Kam (McGusty) scored, Khadeem (Lattin) getting some blocks, (Doolittle) making some really strong plays, all of them hitting free throws."

At 11-19, the Sooners hold a rugged record, but they have displayed the spurts of promise to remain optimistic for the future.

Just as important for the team's efforts to play consistently was the emphasis on high morale. Kruger credits the team for remaining hopeful despite the team's win-loss record. 

"I'm very happy for them because they work hard all year long," Kruger said. "That's why they're playing their best basketball here in the last three weeks."

Oklahoma can ride on a high note until it faces the Horned Frogs again on Wednesday in its first game of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. 

But more importantly, the team garnered momentum for the future.

"When going into the spring, going into the summer and fall, you're going in there with a totally different mindset than had we lost the last five ball games," Kruger said. "I think that's validation for these guys' investment and their focus and maintaining the culture that they want here."