Look at it this way.

A long time ago, Austin Johnson appeared to have the makings of a decent enough point guard, if he could only take care of the ball, develop his shot and make good decisions. Well into his second season under Capel, he’s that guy.

Look at Longar Longar. Even though Kelvin Sampson had him ticketed as the next Renzi Stone or Evan Wiley, the studious observer might have wondered why the tall trim man from the Sudan couldn’t contribute on both ends of the floor. Well, now he does.

Monday night, OU should have won with a cushion. Missed charities and the Pokes playing maybe their most inspired game of the season — when they weren’t losing composure — conspired to make it a thriller. And still, but for the missed free throws, the Sooners did just about everything right.

They didn’t throw the ball away.

They didn’t commit dumb fouls.

They didn’t play scared.

They’ve won 15 games. Three straight in the conference. And they’ve done with the simplest of formulas.

They take what they’ve got. And play well.

Clay Horning

366-3526

cfhorning@normantranscript.com