OKLAHOMA CITY — It’s hard to imagine a more clutch performance than the one delivered by Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield on Sunday night.
It’s impossible to imagine a more deserving National Player of the Year candidate.
With his team on the ropes to relentless Virginia Commonwealth, Hield rose to Jordanian heights.
He struck for 36 points, 29 in the second half, as the second-seeded Sooners survived the No. 10 Rams 85-81 in an NCAA West Regional game at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
"I think this is the best one because it means a lot, because it's the NCAA Tournament, big stage, win or go home,” Hield said. "And you don't get these moments back every time. Everybody's watching, so just relishing these type of moments is special.”
BOX SCORE: Oklahoma 85, VCU 81
Special is the perfect word to describe Hield. He was discovered by Oklahoma assistant Chris Crutchfield in the Bahamas and matriculated through Sunrise Academy in Wichita, Kan., en route to Oklahoma.
Now he’s everybody’s All-American and four wins from a national championship.
Hield came out cold on this night, making just two of his first eight attempts from the field (1-of-6 three-pointers) and picking up a pair of fouls.
But with the Rams (25-11) fighting back from a 13-point halftime deficit and taking a 67-66 lead with 7:16 remaining in the game, Hield put his team on his back.
He scored 19 of the Sooners’ final 22 points, knocking down five three-pointers.
It was his 10th 30-point game this season, a Big 12 record.
Special indeed.
"It seemed like every shot we needed, he stepped up and made,” OU coach Lon Kruger said.
"Best player I’ve seen this season,” VCU coach Will Wade said.
Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine, too, had a fine season. Valentine averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists in leading the Spartans to a No. 2 seed in the Midwest before bowing out unexpectedly to Middle Tennessee in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Valentine struggled against the Blue Raiders, netting just 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting with 12 assists and six turnovers.
Hield (25 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists on the year) conversely rescued his team with its season in jeopardy. That’s what players of the year do.
The Sooners (27-7) advance to the Sweet 16 next week in Anaheim, Calif., against the winner of the Texas A&M-Northern Iowa game.
OU wouldn’t be going to Disneyland without Hield.
“He took it to a whole ‘nother level,” Crutchfield said. "That’s what he does.
"He’s special.”
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