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Sooners Putting in the Work in Indy
March 18, 2021 | Men's Basketball
The Sooners are settling into the Circle City.
No. 8-seeded Oklahoma will open the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Saturday night against old rival Missouri inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
From practicing in convention center ballrooms to being confined to a controlled environment of four connected hotels with 67 other teams, the first few days of preparing for the Big Dance have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
SoonerSports.com gives you an inside look from inside the "bubble" and what the Sooners have been up to in Indiana.
Following negative tests on both days, the athletes and staff were able to resume in-person meetings and practices.
The NCAA reported on Thursday that over 9,000 COVID tests have occurred in the controlled environment with only eight coming back positive. Unfortunately for the Sooners, one of those eight positive tests was from sophomore guard De'Vion Harmon. Given the diagnosis, Harmon will remain in isolation for 11 days and be unavailable for the game this weekend.
"It's just so sad for De'Vion," said Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger. "Just heartbroken he won't have that opportunity this first weekend. Challenge our guys to go win a couple, I guess, to get back for the second weekend, but a lot of work ahead for that, for sure."
Oklahoma has been constantly adjusting its roster throughout the season when previous positive cases have limited its numbers. Most notably, the Sooners took down No. 9 Alabama without leading scorer Austin Reaves.
One advantage the Sooners have had is the extra time to prepare for its new rotation. In previous instances of losing personnel to COVID protocols, OU has had to adjust on one or two days' notice. Kruger will have had almost a week to scheme his Harmon-less game plan.
Although Oklahoma was on pace to qualify for the 2020 edition of the Big Dance, the tournament was cancelled due to the rise of the COVID pandemic. That leaves senior Brady Manek – who reached the postseason as a freshman and sophomore – as the only Sooner to have played in an NCAA Tournament game for Oklahoma.
"Its' very different (than a normal NCAA Tournament)," said Brady Manek. "Every team is here at once and you walk past them everyday. There are courts everywhere, there's a lot of movement...It's a different experience."
Austin Reaves reached March Madness in both his years at Wichita State. The remainder of OU's roster has not had the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament and are elated to see their childhood dreams come true.
"You dream about this when you're young," said Umoja Gibson. "In middle school, my teachers used to let me watch the game in class all the time because they were big fans...It's something you look forward to as a basketball player."
"It's a pleasure to be here," added Jalen Hill. "I'm excited, especially with it being my first time here so getting that experience that I've always dreamt of is fun."
For the first two rounds, the stadium has been curtained off at the 50 yard line to allow two separate courts and seating arrangements. Games will not be played on both courts simultaneously.
"It was crazy, just seeing all the banners, knowing Coach Kruger has been there (the Final Four) before," said Elijah Harkless. "My friends have been texting me saying, 'man, you're really in the tournament.' I think that's what has really gotten to me more than actually being there. My friends and teammates saying, 'I used to watch this growing up and you're really here.' I need to savor the opportunity and take advantage of it."
No. 8-seeded Oklahoma will open the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Saturday night against old rival Missouri inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
From practicing in convention center ballrooms to being confined to a controlled environment of four connected hotels with 67 other teams, the first few days of preparing for the Big Dance have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
SoonerSports.com gives you an inside look from inside the "bubble" and what the Sooners have been up to in Indiana.
NEW ENVIRONMENT AND NEW LINEUP
The Sooners traveled to Indy on Monday, checking into the hotel and beginning their stay with a mandatory quarantine. For the first 20 hours inside the bubble, every player and staff member remained isolated in their hotel rooms with the exception of taking COVID tests on both Monday night and Tuesday morning.Following negative tests on both days, the athletes and staff were able to resume in-person meetings and practices.
The NCAA reported on Thursday that over 9,000 COVID tests have occurred in the controlled environment with only eight coming back positive. Unfortunately for the Sooners, one of those eight positive tests was from sophomore guard De'Vion Harmon. Given the diagnosis, Harmon will remain in isolation for 11 days and be unavailable for the game this weekend.
"It's just so sad for De'Vion," said Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger. "Just heartbroken he won't have that opportunity this first weekend. Challenge our guys to go win a couple, I guess, to get back for the second weekend, but a lot of work ahead for that, for sure."
Oklahoma has been constantly adjusting its roster throughout the season when previous positive cases have limited its numbers. Most notably, the Sooners took down No. 9 Alabama without leading scorer Austin Reaves.
One advantage the Sooners have had is the extra time to prepare for its new rotation. In previous instances of losing personnel to COVID protocols, OU has had to adjust on one or two days' notice. Kruger will have had almost a week to scheme his Harmon-less game plan.
WHAT EVERY PLAYER DREAMS OF
All but two of the Sooners will be making their NCAA Tournament debut this weekend and are taking in the incredible experience.Although Oklahoma was on pace to qualify for the 2020 edition of the Big Dance, the tournament was cancelled due to the rise of the COVID pandemic. That leaves senior Brady Manek – who reached the postseason as a freshman and sophomore – as the only Sooner to have played in an NCAA Tournament game for Oklahoma.
"Its' very different (than a normal NCAA Tournament)," said Brady Manek. "Every team is here at once and you walk past them everyday. There are courts everywhere, there's a lot of movement...It's a different experience."
Austin Reaves reached March Madness in both his years at Wichita State. The remainder of OU's roster has not had the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament and are elated to see their childhood dreams come true.
"You dream about this when you're young," said Umoja Gibson. "In middle school, my teachers used to let me watch the game in class all the time because they were big fans...It's something you look forward to as a basketball player."
"It's a pleasure to be here," added Jalen Hill. "I'm excited, especially with it being my first time here so getting that experience that I've always dreamt of is fun."
THE STAGE IS SET
After practicing in a convention center ballroom for the first two days, Oklahoma got its first look at Saturday's venue with a 90-minute practice at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The indoor stadium is home to the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and has hosted its share of Final Four and NCAA events.For the first two rounds, the stadium has been curtained off at the 50 yard line to allow two separate courts and seating arrangements. Games will not be played on both courts simultaneously.
"It was crazy, just seeing all the banners, knowing Coach Kruger has been there (the Final Four) before," said Elijah Harkless. "My friends have been texting me saying, 'man, you're really in the tournament.' I think that's what has really gotten to me more than actually being there. My friends and teammates saying, 'I used to watch this growing up and you're really here.' I need to savor the opportunity and take advantage of it."
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