The Sooners commenced conference play with a 71-63 victory over Iowa State. Prior to the game, it was evident that the team with the superior performance from their backcourt duo would secure the win. Oklahoma's backcourt tandem of Javian McCollum and Milos Uzan delivered an impressive performance, contributing a combined total of 27 points and 10 assists. In contrast, Iowa State's backcourt duo of Tamin Lipsey and KeShon Gilbert managed only 10 points and 6 assists.

Now, let's assess the grades of the Sooners' backcourt duo and six other players in their massive win over Iowa State:

In his 37 minutes on the court, McCollum demonstrated an impactful performance, tallying 15 points, five assists, one rebound, a steal, and a turnover. His shooting performance included a 3-6 record on two-pointers and 3-10 on three-pointers. McCollum boasted an offensive rating of 104 and a usage rate of 25. Notably, he played a crucial role in the latter part of the game, providing three key assists that significantly contributed to the Sooners' win. McCollum showcased his scoring prowess with several challenging shots, culminating in an acrobatic finish at the rim late in the game. His versatility was evident as he excelled both in scoring and facilitating. While he did miss a few open looks, McCollum's overall contribution was instrumental in securing the team's victory.

In his 31-minute stint on the court, Uzan showcased his skills with a total of 12 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three turnovers. Notably, he exhibited efficiency in his shooting, going 3-4 on two-pointers and 2-5 on three-pointers, resulting in an impressive offensive rating of 110 and a usage rate of 22. Despite grappling with a recent slump, Uzan delivered an exceptional performance, marked by numerous impressive passes and crucial shots for the Sooners. Uzan stepped up admirably, excelling both as a scorer and facilitator during the game. His contribution reflects the type of performance Oklahoma seeks from him consistently throughout conference play.

In a 21-minute appearance, Oweh contributed 8 points, two assists, and two rebounds. While he faced challenges in shooting, going 0-1 on both two-pointers and three-pointers, Oweh found success at the free-throw line, converting all eight of his attempts out of 10. Notably, he boasted an impressive offensive rating of 140, coupled with a usage rate of 20. Despite contending with foul trouble for a significant portion of the game, Oweh demonstrated solid defensive skills whenever he was on the court. Although his offensive impact was relatively subdued, he made a notable contribution with crucial free throws during the closing moments of the game.

In a 16-minute stretch, Moore contributed with 4 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a steal. His shooting performance included going 0-3 on two-pointers, 1-2 on three-pointers, and 1-2 on free throws. Despite a relatively quiet offensive night, marked by an offensive rating of 81 and a usage rate of 20, Moore made a significant impact with a big three-pointer in the first half. Similar to Oweh, Moore grappled with foul trouble, limiting his playing time. Nevertheless, he showcased commendable defensive skills and solid rebounding throughout his time on the court.

In a 22-minute appearance, Godwin made significant contributions, amassing 10 points, six rebounds, four turnovers, two blocks, and a steal. His shooting performance was efficient, going 5-8 on two-pointers. Despite encountering defensive challenges at times, Godwin exhibited strong offensive and rebounding skills. His offensive rating stood at 85, and he carried a team-high usage rate of 30. While his defensive play had moments of difficulty, Godwin's offensive prowess and effectiveness on the boards were commendable. He undertook a considerable amount of the team's gritty work, making numerous winning plays. Notably, Godwin showcased his reliability with multiple clutch baskets at the rim during the critical moments of the game. Overall, his solid and impactful performance played a crucial role in the team's success.

In his 29-minute appearance, Soares contributed 5 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a block. His shooting efficiency was notable, going 1-2 on both two-pointers and three-pointers. Soares exhibited a commendable offensive rating of 154, coupled with a usage rate of 9. Much like Godwin, Soares played a pivotal role in executing the team's gritty work. His impactful contributions extended to both ends of the court, making numerous winning plays defensively and offensively. A standout moment was his pivotal three-pointer in the second half, providing a significant boost for the Sooners. Soares' overall excellence and ability to generate momentum made him a key player in the team's success during the game.

In his 25-minute appearance, Darthard made a substantial impact, accumulating 11 points and one rebound. His shooting was particularly noteworthy, going 3-4 on three-pointers and a perfect 2-2 on free throws. Impressively, Darthard boasted a team-high offensive rating of 202, paired with a usage rate of 8. Coming into the game, Darthard had been grappling with a significant slump from behind the arc, notably going 1-7 in his last outing. However, in this game, he showcased a remarkable turnaround, proving exceptional from long range. Serving his role as a three-and-D player, Darthard's performance in this game was outstanding and bodes well for the Sooners. It not only marked a personal rebound from his recent struggles but also contributed significantly to the team's success.

In his 18-minute appearance, Hugley contributed with 6 points, two assists, and one turnover. His shooting performance included going 2-2 on two-pointers, 0-1 on three-pointers, and a perfect 2-2 on free throws. Hugley's usage rate reached 20, accompanied by an offensive rating of 108. Despite encountering a few moments of struggle, he showcased his skills on both ends of the floor. Noteworthy plays from Hugley included a crucial tap-out down the stretch and a one-dribble pull-up mid-range jumper in the first half. His overall performance displayed several positive aspects, but conditioning appeared to be a factor affecting him during the game. Despite this, Hugley's contributions were marked by impactful plays that added value to the team's effort.

The Sooners are set to travel to Fort Worth for a matchup against TCU on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

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