Depth and Dimes: Mohamed Wague’s Playmaking Anchors Oklahoma’s Quarterfinal Victory
Depth and Dimes: Mohamed Wague’s Playmaking Anchors Oklahoma’s Quarterfinal Victory
In a game where every possession mattered, Oklahoma’s Mohamed Wague provided a masterclass in high-post playmaking that helped the Sooners secure a 90-86 overtime win over Colorado. One play in particular stood out as a testament to Wague’s vision: a perfectly threaded bounce pass through a needle-sized window in the Colorado defense that led to a crucial layup. While Wague’s stat line of 7 points and 8 rebounds might seem modest, his presence as a facilitator and interior defender allowed Oklahoma’s guards to flourish in their College Basketball Crown debut.
The senior center’s ability to act as a secondary playmaker is a luxury for Porter Moser’s offense. With Colorado focusing their defensive pressure on Nijel Pack and Xzayvier Brown, Wague often found himself with space at the top of the key. His decision-making was impeccable, committing zero turnovers while frequently finding cutters like Tae Davis for easy buckets. Wague’s physicality was also a factor, as he battled Colorado’s Alon Michaeli in the paint, ensuring the Buffaloes didn't dominate the offensive glass during the high-stakes overtime period.
The Strength of the Sooner Bench
Oklahoma (20-15) relied heavily on its depth to outlast Colorado. Beyond Wague, the Sooners received a massive boost from Kuol Atak (16 points) and Jadon Jones. This collective effort was necessary on a night when several starters flirted with foul trouble. The bench combined for 22 points, providing the energy needed to keep pace with Colorado’s Barrington Hargress, who seemed nearly unstoppable for large stretches of the game. Moser’s trust in his second unit was rewarded as they maintained the lead for the majority of the second half.
Wague’s veteran leadership was particularly evident during the closing moments of regulation. When the game threatened to slip away following a late Colorado run, Wague remained a calming influence on the floor, directing teammates on defensive rotations and securing several key rebounds that prevented the Buffaloes from getting second-chance opportunities. His selflessness and high basketball IQ have made him an indispensable part of the Sooners' postseason rotation.
Preparing for the Baylor Bears
As the tournament shifts to the semifinals on Saturday, Oklahoma will need every bit of Wague’s playmaking and toughness to get past a formidable Baylor frontcourt. The Bears are fresh off a blowout win where they showed elite defensive discipline. The battle in the paint between Wague and Baylor’s Caden Powell will likely be a deciding factor in who controls the tempo of the game.
For the Sooners, the quarterfinal win was a total team effort, but it was the play of guys like Mohamed Wague that glued the performance together. As they move to T-Mobile Arena, the Sooners know that their depth is their greatest strength. With $50,000 in NIL money already secured for the win, the team is now eyeing the ultimate prize: the first-ever College Basketball Crown trophy.
