History:
One of the top college basketball teams in the 1980's under Billy Tubbs, the University of Oklahoma was a Big 8 powerhouse, winning 30 or more games 5 times and competing for a National Championship in 1988 against Kansas. After early exits from the NCAA Tournament in the 90's, OU turned to Kelvin Sampson who won a Big 12 regular season Championship as well as 3 Big 12 Tournament Championships.The 2002 Sooners made a Final Four run, and Sampson directed the team to postseason tournaments in every season as Head Coach, with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances. Sampson's tenure again brought the Sooners to national basketball prominence before he left for Indiana. In 2006, OU hired Jeff Capel, former Head Coach at Virginia Commonwealth.2007-2008 Season:
After a transition season in 2005-2006 with new coach Jeff Capel in which the team did not make the postseason for the first time in 25 years, the Sooners were looking for a turnaround in 2007-2008. The got it as the squad began to gell behind a budding star in Blake Griffin. They finished a respectable 22-11, making the NCAA tournament as a 6 seed. The Sooners lost in the 2nd round to 3-seeded Louisville.Location:
The Sooners play in Lloyd Noble Center on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman Oklahoma. Opening in 1975, the arena was renovated in 2001 and now seats 12,000 fans.Tickets:
Tickets for Oklahoma Sooners Men's Basketball games can be purchased online at SoonerSports.com or by calling the OU ticket office at (800) 456-4668. Prices are typically around $17-$22, and family packs that include a hot dog, soda and t-shirt with admission are available by calling the ticket office.Primary Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Jeff Capel - since 2006
Led Virginia Commonwealth to NCAA and NIT Tournament appearances in 4 seasons
Assistant Coach: Mark Cline - since 2006
Virginia Commonwealth Assistant Coach for three years
Assistant Coach: Ben Betts - since 2006
Former Head Coach South Carolina State for three years
Assistant Coach: Oronde Taliaferro - since 2007
Five seasons as an assistant coach at Arkansas
2008-2009 Roster:
21 Allen, Orlando C 6-11 So.
31 Cannon, Kyle F 6-8 So.
5 Crocker, Tony G 6-6 Jr.
34 Davis, Cade F 6-5 So.
3 Franklin, T.J. G 5-11 Fr. 45 Gerber, Beau F 6-8 Jr.
23 Griffin, Blake F 6-10 So.
32 Griffin, Taylor F 6-7 Sr.
20 Johnson, Austin G 6-3 Sr.
11 Leary, Omar G 5-11 So.
12 Pattillo, Juan F 6-6 Jr.
13 Warren, Willie G 6-4 Fr.
41 Willis, Ray G 6-6 Fr.
1 Wright, Ryan F 6-9 Jr.
2008-2009 Season Outlook:
The Sooners 2006-2007 season ended a nation's-best 25 year postseason streak when the team finished just one game over .500. But it was the beginning of a new era in Oklahoma basketball under Jeff Capel, one that has brought a great deal of optimism with an up-tempo style and new stars such as Blake Griffin. In 2007-2008, Griffin helped lead a drastic improvement as the team finished 22-11 and made the NCAA tournament as a 6 seed.Many thought Griffin would opt to leave for the NBA after just one season, but the 6-10 force returned to OU. It's no surprise, then, that the Sooners have very high expectations in 2008-2009. Most experts have them ranked in the top 15 in the country, and only a return trip to the NCAA tournament with another good seed position will do.
That doesn't mean everything will be easy, of course. The Sooners must replace the leadership and tenacity of the departed David Goldbold and the inside scoring and rebounding of Longar Longar. At the same time, fans are excited to see what true freshman point guard Willie Warren, one of the top recruits in the nation, can do at a position where the Sooners have lacked in recent years.
Elsewhere on the roster, Tony Crocker returns, providing a capable perimeter threat, and the Sooners will need Blake's older brother Taylor, now a senior, to step up as a low-post player as well. Guards Omar Leary and Austin Johnson give the team some nice depth in the backcourt.
The Capel transition has gone quite smoothly in Norman, and the pieces seem to be in place to compete in a somewhat down Big 12. Texas is picked by most as the best in the conference, and Kansas should win games even though they lost several players to the NBA. Expect the Sooners to give Texas a run for their money when the two teams play. Though OU isn't the favorite, they have a legitimate shot at a conference championship as well as improving upon that 6 seed from last year once March rolls around.
