Christian James
FILE - In this March 22, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma forward Kristian Doolittle (21) looks to pass the ball against Mississippi during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Columbia, S.C. The Sooners believe they have building blocks in forwards Kristian Doolittle and Brady Manek and guard Jamal Bieniemy.(AP Photo/Sean Rayford, File)
Oklahoma hopes depth, chemistry fuel another NCAA bid

By Cliff Brunt Oct. 25, 2019 12:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, March 10, 2018, file photo, Wichita State guard Austin Reaves (12) is fouled by Houston forward Fabian White Jr. (35) while going up for a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals at the American Athletic Conference tournament in Orlando, Fla. Reaves is preparing for a big role with Oklahoma after transferring from Wichita State and sitting out last season. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Oklahoma's Reaves prepares for big role after sitting a year

By Cliff Brunt Jun. 28, 2019 03:51 PM EDT

Iowa forward Luka Garza (55) and teammates celebrates after a first-round game against Cincinnati in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Friday, March 22, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. Iowa won 79-72. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)
Looking for Cinderella? Check out Anteaters and the South

By Joe Kay Mar. 23, 2019 05:32 PM EDT

Kentucky's Tyler Herro, left, looks to pass as he is guarded by Wofford's Fletcher Magee (3) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NCAA Latest: Auburn trounces Kansas to reach Sweet 16

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2019 12:19 PM EDT

Oklahoma's Kristian Doolittle (21) grabs the rebound during a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament against Mississippi in Columbia, S.C. Friday, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Hot-shooting Oklahoma beats Ole Miss 95-72 in NCAAs

By Jeffrey Collins Mar. 22, 2019 03:03 PM EDT

Florida's Andrew Nembhard, right, is defended by Nevada's Cody Martin (11) during the second half of a first round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, March 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Villanova Wildcats at West Virginia Mountaineers 3/24/2019

Mar. 21, 2019 09:21 PM EDT

West Virginia's Logan Routt, left, and Oklahoma's Kristian Doolittle (21) chase the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 men's tournament Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
West Virginia beats Oklahoma 72-71 in Big 12 tourney

By Dave Skretta Mar. 13, 2019 11:58 PM EDT

Oklahoma guard Rashard Odomes, right, drives around Iowa State guard Talen Horton-Tucker (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Shayok leads Cyclones past Oklahoma 78-61

By Luke Meredith Feb. 25, 2019 10:35 PM EST

Oklahoma's Christian James (0) reacts at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Oklahoma won 69-67. (Nate Billings/The Oklahoman via AP)
James, Bieniemy preserve Sooners' 69-67 defeat of Texas

Feb. 23, 2019 02:40 PM EST

Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger yells from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Doolittle helps OU stop 5-game skid in 71-62 win over TCU

By Schuyler Dixon Feb. 16, 2019 02:16 PM EST

Oklahoma guard Jamal Bieniemy, right, pushes out Baylor guard Mark Vital, left, while pulling in a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Waco, Texas. (Jose Yau/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
Bandoo leads Baylor past Oklahoma to end two-game skid

By Jason Orts Feb. 11, 2019 11:26 PM EST

Oklahoma guard Rashard Odomes (1) shoots between Texas Tech guard Jarrett Culver (23) and center Norense Odiase (32) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Moretti leads No. 18 Texas Tech past Oklahoma 66-54

By Cliff Brunt Feb. 09, 2019 06:16 PM EST

Iowa State guard Marial Shayok (3) goes up for a basket as Oklahoma forward Matt Freeman (5) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Monday, Feb. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Wigginton, Shayok lead No. 17 Iowa State over Oklahoma

By John Tranchina Feb. 04, 2019 11:21 PM EST

West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins yells at a referee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday against Oklahoma, Feb. 2, 2019, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)
Knapper leads WVU over Oklahoma 79-71

By John Lowe Feb. 02, 2019 02:41 PM EST

Baylor forward Freddie Gillespie (33) shoots between Oklahoma forward Brady Manek, left, and forward Kristian Doolittle, rear, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mason leads Baylor in 77-47 win over Oklahoma

By Cliff Brunt Jan. 28, 2019 11:20 PM EST

Vanderbilt's Matt Ryan (32) prepares to shoot as Oklahoma's Rashard Odomes (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (Nate Billings/The Oklahoman via AP)
James scores 21, leads Oklahoma past Vanderbilt 86-55

By Cliff Brunt Jan. 26, 2019 06:15 PM EST

Texas guard Kerwin Roach II (12) drives around Oklahoma guard Jamal Bieniemy (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Roach leads Texas over No. 20 Oklahoma 75-72

By Jim Vertuno Jan. 19, 2019 11:28 PM EST

Kansas State forward Dean Wade, right, goes to the basket in front of Oklahoma forward Matt Freeman (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Brown and Wade lead Kansas State past No. 20 Oklahoma, 74-61

By Cliff Brunt Jan. 16, 2019 10:37 PM EST

Oklahoma forward Kristian Doolittle goes to the basket against TCU during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/June Frantz Hunt)
No. 23 Oklahoma tops No. 25 TCU 76-74 on Doolittle's shot

Jan. 12, 2019 04:51 PM EST

Texas Tech's Davide Moretti shoots a 3-pointer against Oklahoma during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
No. 8 Texas Tech rallies for 66-59 win over 23rd-ranked OU

Jan. 08, 2019 11:56 PM EST