The Oklahoma Sooners will be without their second-leading scorer De’Vion Harmon because of a positive COVID-19 test. He will miss the team’s first-round game against the Missouri Tigers. The eight and nine seed matchup is already hard, but without Harmon, the Sooners face a tall task. If the Sooners do win that game they will still be without Harmon in the Round of 32 in a probable matchup with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. There is a possibility that he could return in the Sweet 16 with a Sooner’s win and some negative tests. The remaining members of the team have been cleared to play through contact tracing.
Coach Kruger announced in his pre-NCAA Tournament press conference that sophomore guard De’Vion Harmon will not be available this weekend due to COVID protocols.
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) March 17, 2021
Harmon averages 12.9 points per game which only trails Austin Reaves in scoring for the Sooners. He is currently asymptomatic and in isolation according to head coach Lon Kruger. This is disappointing for a player who worked hard through a tough year and now may not get to play in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Alondes Williams or Jalen Hill is expected to slide into the starting lineup for the Sooners against Missouri. Oklahoma is slated to tip-off against the Tigers on Saturday at 7:25 Eastern (6:25 Central).
It has been a tough year for players entering into March Madness and hopefully, no other players are hit with a COVID-19 positive test. This is the protocol moving forward in the Tournament. A team only needs five healthy players to be able to suit up for the game and without it, they will be forced to forfeit. The hope is this does not happen, but if it does the other team will advance to the next round.
