Jeremiah Fears’ heroics keep OU basketball undefeated

On By Littum

You can do everything right, but when you have someone like the OU freshman Jeremiah fearssometimes it just doesn’t matter.

OU fans got to experience that in a big way Wednesday night.

Fears earned four points with 11.5 seconds left for a wild and entertaining 87-86 win against No. 24 in Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte.

OU trailed by as many as 11 at 69-58 but led 82-78 with more than three minutes remaining. But Michigan clamped down defensively, and Fears had a couple of crucial turnovers.

The Wolverines led 86-83 with 23 seconds left. OU head coach Porter Moser called a pretty nice play to free up Brycen Goodine for a 3-pointer in the corner. But Michigan probed it well, stoned him along the corner.

OU reset. Fears used a Sam Godwin pick to set up a deep 3-pointer and was fouled. Nailed the free throw and Michigan couldn’t come up with the game winner on the other end.

Whew, breathe.

The Sooners are 11-0 for the first time since 2015-16, the season OU went to the Final Four.

Game no. 11 OU Takeaways

*The fear was sensational, especially after a slow start. He had just three points toward the end of the first half as he repeatedly found himself at the free throw line.

He scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half and showed tremendous maturity to just shake off some crucial mistakes.

Unflappable.

*Fear had some help, especially from Duke Miles and Jalon Moore. Miles was a key catalyst during the late second half. Moore did a lot of work in the first part of the second half.

Moore scored 10 of his 16 after the break before fouling out. Miles had 17 points, including three 3-pointers.

OU shot 12-for-25 from 3-point territory.

Next

OU has a chance to really move up the rankings. One of four undefeated teams left and positioned themselves to be undefeated going into SEC play. The 14thth-ranked Sooners (11-0) host Central Arkansas at noon Sunday.