How Jeremiah Fears lifted OU basketball past Georgia and likely into March Madness

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Porter Moser’s arm rested on Jeremiah Fears’ shoulder as the two headed into Oklahoma’s locker room postgame.

“That was huge,” Moser told his star true freshman guard following the Sooners’ 81-75 win over Georgia late Tuesday at Bridgestone Arena.

Fears has put OU on his back all season, whether it was his clutch four-point play down the stretch to beat Michigan or his 31-point showing in a home win over Missouri. The Sooners were in a bitter, back-and-forth battle with the Bulldogs for most of Wednesday night’s game until Fears decided it was time for a takeover.

Fears overpowered Georgia, dazzling with 29 points, six rebounds and four 3s, leaving no doubt over OU’s NCAA tournament hopes and leading it to a third consecutive win. The victory sets up a rematch with Kentucky in the second round of the SEC tournament on Thursday after the Wildcats defeated the Sooners by one point in a thrilling game in Norman on Feb. 26.

“Our guys were resilient,” Moser said. “We went on a 16-0 run in the second half. Up at half, they turned it. We got up six. That’s the resiliency of these guys, staying together, keep believing and keep coming back. … I talked to Jeremiah at halftime about settling down. He had zero turnovers the whole second half.”

More: How did OU basketball start ‘believing’ to reach SEC Tournament with March Madness hopes?

Mar 12, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Jeremiah Fears (0) reacts after a three point basket against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Bridgestone Arena.

Fears has been one of the most electric players in the country all season. He’s a projected NBA lottery pick but hasn’t received quite the national acclaim others have this season.

If he hadn’t already, Fears put the SEC and the country on notice on Wednesday night and appears to have led OU over a hump that has eluded Moser since he took the helm in 2021.

“Throughout the season, (I’ve seen) the maturity and the growth,”…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/jeremiah-fears-lifted-ou-basketball-065223671.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2025-03-13 06:52:00

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