Oklahoma point guard Sam Grooms had a solid first season in crimson and cream. He led the Big 12 in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.85) and finished second in assists (5.97 assists per game).

But the senior-to-be has plenty of work to do to insert his name among the nation’s top point guards. As Big 12 play progressed, teams began backing off Grooms, daring him to shoot from the perimeter.

“Sam has to spend a ton of time shooting,” OU coach Lon Kruger said. “You have to make shots, otherwise you’re playing five-on-four all the time. That’s not healthy for the other guys.”

Kruger also would like to see Grooms make progress as a leader and be able to forget mistakes immediately after they occur so they don’t impact the next play.

“He carries those mistakes a little too long, he’s got to play the next play,” Kruger said. “He’s a great kid, a mistake bothers him so much. It’s a good quality to have but not necessarily at point guard in the middle of a game.”