- Joined
- Oct 22, 2008
- Messages
- 9,345
- Reaction score
- 2
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209358285
QUICK PREVIEW
Oklahoma (11-2) opens Big 12 play at Texas (11-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT inside the Frank Erwin Center. The Sooners, who are opening conference play on the road for the third straight year and seventh time in the last nine seasons, saw their seven-game winning streak end Monday in a 102-98 home overtime loss to Louisiana Tech. The Longhorns have also won seven of their last eight and are coming off a 66-44 home win over Rice on Monday.
ON THE AIR
Saturday’s contest will air on the Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM "The Franchise" in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa) with Toby Rowland and Mike Houck calling the action. The game will be televised by the Longhorn Network with Paul Sunderland, Bruce Bowen and Kaylee Hartung announcing.
PREVIEWING TEXAS
After finishing 16-18 last year (first losing campaign since 1997-98), Texas is off to an 11-2 start this season. The Longhorns, who start two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior, have lost only to BYU (86-82 in Kansas City) and to No. 5 Michigan State (92-78 at home). Their signature win came at then-No. 14 North Carolina three games ago (86-83). They have come from behind in the second half in five of their 11 victories. Texas leads the Big 12 in blocked shots (6.9 per game) and ranks second in rebounding margin (+8.4 per game). It averages 78.3 points a contest (ranks seventh in league) while giving up 69.5 (ranks ninth).
Like Oklahoma, Texas has five players averaging double figures in scoring. Junior forward Jonathan Holmes is averaging a team-high 13.1 points and has reached double figures in 11 of his 12 outings. He ranks second on the squad with his 6.9 rebounds per game and is shooting .521 from the field, .424 from 3-point range (14 makes) and .843 from the free throw line (43 makes). Freshman guard Isaiah Taylor averages 11.8 points and a team-high 3.8 assists. Sophomore center Cameron Ridley averages 10.8 points and a team-high 7.2 boards.
Head coach Rick Barnes is in his 16th season at Texas and is 369-157 there. He is in his 27th season overall and owns a 571-291 career mark. Barnes also coached at Clemson (four years), Providence (six) and George Mason (one). He is 14-1 in Big 12 home openers.