Texas shootout: High-scoring DePaul, Oklahoma to meet again
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — DePaul and Oklahoma don't take long to warm up.
On Nov. 13, in the second game of the season, Amarah Coleman's overtime 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Blue Demons a 111-108 win over Oklahoma.
They meet again in the women's basketball NCAA Tournament, opening first-round play at Texas A&M's Reed Arena on Friday.
In their last two games, DePaul and Oklahoma have combined for 423 points.
The teams delivered their highest-scoring games in NCAA tournament history when they played in 2014. DePaul won, 104-100, with six players scoring in double figures, overcoming a 36-point scoring game by the Sooners' Aaryan Ellenberg.
"I just think everybody likes to watch Oklahoma and DePaul because they know we're going to play some basketball that's entertaining basketball," said DePaul coach Doug Bruno, who led his team to the Sweet 16 in 2016.
While both teams have offensive firepower, Bruno doubts that will be enough to advance through the weekend to reach the Spokane regional.
"Offense scores points, and the offense sells tickets, and defense wins games and defense and rebounding wins championships. I totally believe in that," Bruno said. "Once you defend and rebound, you've got a choice to make. You can walk down the court and throw the ball around the gym for 28, 29 seconds, or run down the court and share the ball and shoot it. And share it early versus shoot it and share it late."
Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said inexperience cost her team in the earlier meeting.
"When I go back and watched that film, the first thing I noticed is how green our freshmen were," Coale said. "No idea how to stop the ball and protect the basket when it's coming at you at the speed at which DePaul brings it at you. And they spread the floor with shooters, so it's an atypical type of rotation. And they were really exposed."
Oklahoma cannot allow DePaul's path to the basket to be an easy one, Coale said.
"On the offensive end, it's all about shot selection and not turning it over, because that's part of their offense is taking advantage of your offensive miscues," she said.
Some doubted whether the Sooners would be in position for a rematch. Oklahoma (16-14) has the worst record of any team in the tournament this year.
"I'm thrilled that Oklahoma got in," said Bruno, who picked up his 700th career victory this season. "I believe they deserve to get in. It's on us as head coaches to schedule a degree of difficulty of the non-conference that helps to grow the game of basketball. And that's what Sherri and Oklahoma did this year."
The Sooners had plenty of doubts before their school's name was called.
"Our selection show was very euphoric in a way," Coale said. "I've been a part of 19 of these in a row now. And you never ever take it for granted, but there's a different level of emotion when you know you're in and trying to see what seed you are, especially if you're in the top four, than if you're on this bubble."
Fourth-seeded Texas A&M (24-9) hosts Drake (26-7) in Friday's second contest. The Aggies last hosted opening-round games in 2016. The Bulldogs average 82.6 points, with A&M at 77.1 points per game.
Five things to know about the Friday's first-round games in College Station:
CARTER SETS THE STAGE
Texas A&M freshman point guard Chennedy Carter is averaging 21.9 points per game, and Aggies coach Gary Blair is not worried about her being ready for her first college postseason.
"Chennedy Carter is just like Shirley Temple as a kid. She was born for the stage," Blair said.
SOONERS START FAST
Oklahoma has won 12 of its last 13 first-round tournament games, with the only loss to DePaul in 2014. The Sooners are making their 19th consecutive tournament appearance.
"Think about my freshmen," Coale said. "They came to Oklahoma and for their entire lives — they're 18 — Oklahoma has been in the NCAA tournament. And so they're carrying that."
GRAYS IS BACK
DePaul has five players scoring in double figures, led by Mart'e Grays' 14.4 points per game. Grays missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon.
DRAKE ON A STREAK
Drake's 21-game winning streak is the sixth-longest streak in program history. The Bulldogs won 22 straight last season. Drake leads the nation in assists with 749, averaging 22.7 per game.
BACK AGAIN
DePaul and Texas A&M join Oklahoma with long tournament appearance steaks. The Blue Demons are making their 16th straight appearance and the Aggies' steak is at 13 seasons. Drake is playing its second straight.