The excitement around March Madness reaches a fever pitch as the Oklahoma Sooners prepare to face the two-time defending national champions, the UConn Huskies, in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Scheduled for March 21, a battle awaits between these two formidable programs at 9:25 p.m. ET in what promises to be a riveting 8-versus-9 matchup.
At the heart of Oklahoma's strategy is freshman guard Jeremiah Fears, whose dynamic scoring ability has quickly made him a standout player. Since becoming a focal point in the Sooners' offense, Fears has been on fire, averaging a whopping 22.6 points per game over his last eight outings. Remarkably, he has posted 28 or more points in three of those games, showcasing an exceptional ability to reach the free-throw line with an average of 10.3 attempts across his previous four contests.
UConn, however, comes with its own set of challenges. The Huskies have been prone to fouling, occurring on 26.7 percent of their possessions this season, which is tied for the 330th place in the nation. Notably, nearly 23.2 percent of the points UConn has allowed this season have come from the charity stripe, making them vulnerable to someone like Fears, who thrives in drawing fouls.
As the tournament kicks off, the Sooners have gained momentum after a challenging SEC season, which saw them finish 3-10 between January and February. Oklahoma has turned things around recently, securing important victories over Mississippi State and Missouri, along with close losses to tough opponents such as Kentucky. This resurgence has notably bolstered their confidence going into March Madness.
Coach Porter Moser has praised Fears' growth throughout the season, stating, “For him, it's been a growth, constantly. There's no one in the gym more. There's no one who watches more film on his own.” The recognition of Fears' work ethic and determination is indicative of the young player's influence on the Sooners, especially at such a pivotal moment in the tournament.
Fears’ skills on the court are matched by a promising future, as many analysts regard him as a potential NBA lottery pick. Yet, the challenge against UConn, a team brimming with talent, will be considerable. UConn’s coach, Dan Hurley, recognizes the threat posed by Fears, acknowledging his explosive capability to create offense not only for himself but for his teammates as well. “When Fears is dynamic and able to get wherever he wants to go on the court, he triggers a lot of things offensively for them,” Hurley noted.
Should the Sooners manage to exploit UConn's weaknesses, particularly their high foul rate, Fears could emerge as a game-changer. The matchup will undoubtedly center around not only his scoring potential but his basketball IQ, which Moser has emphasized in his coaching, where Fears has displayed his ability to make smart plays under pressure.
As excitement builds, players from both teams have shared their perspectives on participating in March Madness. For many Sooners, especially Fears, this represents the culmination of dreams. Fears expressed, “Feels great just walking in this locker room… We’ve all grown up watching this; it’s finally our time.” His enthusiasm is echoed by his teammates, who express gratitude for the opportunity to play on such a significant stage.
However, while the Sooners are celebrating, they must remain focused on execution as they face a UConn team that is known for its disciplined structure and physical style of play. The Huskies, as repeated champions, are keenly aware of the stakes at play. “They’re obviously the two-time defending national champs for a reason,” Forsythe, a Sooners player, remarked on UConn’s reputation.
Oklahoma players such as Jalon Moore and Sam Godwin echoed similar sentiments about the need for resilience in dealing with UConn’s robust offense. Their approach will consist of strict adherence to the defensive strategies outlined by Moser, which will be vital to overcoming their talented opponents.
In the face of this highly competitive matchup, Fears’s capacity to lead the Sooners’ attack will be crucial. With the ability to draw fouls and generate points from the free-throw line, as witnessed in his games leading up to this tournament, his performance can dictate the tempo of the game.
The matchup presents significant stakes for both teams, where historical performances could tip the scales. If Oklahoma is to upset the defending champions, the keys will lie in leveraging Fears’ abilities against UConn’s defensive susceptibilities while maintaining a cohesive team effort. As both sides enter the court, all eyes will be on the young guard who has the potential to etch his name into March Madness lore in this thrilling encounter.
Ultimately, the March Madness stage always offers unpredictabilities, and as they say, anything can happen. Will the Cinderella story be written on this day? One thing is certain: the nation will be watching as Jeremiah Fears and the Sooners look to make history against UConn.
