No. 1 Kansas' 109-106 triple-overtime victory over No. 2 Oklahoma on Monday was an instant classic. As good as the teams were, the game will probably be remembered most for one player: Buddy Hield. Oklahoma's senior star went for 46 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in 54 minutes. The stats do not show how clutch he was in the game's critical moments.
Kansas fans know good basketball, and they showed their appreciation by giving Hield a standing ovation after his postgame interview with ESPN. You know you've done well when your rivals can't do anything but congratulate you.
ICYMI: Classy move by Jayhawk fans, who gave Buddy Hield a standing O after he scored 46 points in a loss to Kansas. https://t.co/gAUQbX5MmL
— ESPN (@espn) January 5, 2016
Never seen this @KUHoops fans still on hand just gave @buddyhield standing ovation after he finished @NotthefakeSVP pic.twitter.com/9qpWlTDNSO
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) January 5, 2016
Hield tied a 54-year-old record for points by a visiting player in Lawrence. Kansas State's Mike Wroblewski dropped 46 in Allen Fieldhouse on Feb. 7, 1962.
Buddy Hield: 46 points, matches most by visiting player in Lawrence (other instance: Mike Wroblewski, 1961-62 Kansas State)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 5, 2016
Hield's 26.3 points per game average is second in the nation. After Monday night's effort, even in a loss, the Bahamas native has put his name at the top of the Naismith Award race.
