Congrats to Lon Kruger and his Sooners for advancing to the Elite 8 on Thursday night with a surprisingly easy 77-63 win over Texas A&M in the West Region semi-finals in Anaheim. OU will play Oregon for the right to play in the Final Four.
Kruger becomes the fifth coach in NCAA history to take five different teams to an Elite 8 appearance by taking Kansas State, Florida, and OU to the Elite 8. Kruger’s Florida team made the Final Four.
OU was led by Jordan Woodard, NPOTY Buddy Hield, and Ryan Spangler on Thursday night as OU coasted to a 19 point halftime lead and were never seriously challenged in the game.
This marks a streak for OU basketball as well as now the last four OU basketball coaches have led their teams to an Elite 8 appearance. Billy Tubbs with three, Kelvin Sampson with two, Jeff Capel with one, and now Lon Kruger with one.
Not bad for a school which is regarded more for its iconic football program than its hoops.
Oregon will be tough, but there’s no reason OU can’t win this game if they play their game.