Oklahoma freshman Cade Cunningham, the potential No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, looked exactly the same on Saturday as part of the potential No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
Cunningham erupted for a career-high 40 points as their Cowboys emerged victorious in a thrilling 94-90 victory at No. 7 in Oklahoma. The feverish Bedlam showdown featured a back-and-forth momentum swing, an overtime period and an aesthetic style of play. But mostly, Cunningham kept picking up the clutch again and again, leading OSU from a double-digit deficit to its second top-10 victory of the season.
The final stat line: 40 points, 11 rebounds on 12-of-21 shooting. For Cunningham, it was more than just a filling. He had 27 of his 40 in the second half and overtime, taking over the piece by creating offense, attacking the edge and exercising his will. In defense, he had two big blocks – including one in the last 30 seconds of regulation – which fully displays its powerful two-way impact.
“We came out here and competed,” he said. ESPN following his actions. “If I just see my team play as hard as possible, take it personally for all the OSU alumni and everyone there at the moment, it’s a big win for us.”
Cunningham has become the third player in the Bedlam competition to score at least 40 points in the last decade. He joined the OSU’s Jawun Evans and Trae Young of OU, who achieved in 2016 and 48 in 2018, respectively. His 40 points are tied with the sixth most in a single game by an Oklahoma State player.
Oklahoma was a No. 4 in Palm’s proposed projection, and the Cowboys’ victory would have to strengthen the resume for Oklahoma State, a No. 5 series in Jerry Palm’s Bracketology ahead of Saturday, with another important Quad 1- victory. It also features one of the biggest games of the week, with the two meeting again Monday night in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This is the first time since 1943 that the rivalry in Bedlam will be played in consecutive matches, as the schedule of the late season has changed. the Big 12.