University of Oklahoma Sooners Men's Basketball Team Profile

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. But after early success, highlighted by the career of future NBA star Blake Griffin, Capel was let go following the 2010-2011 season. Veteran coach Lon Kruger was brought in to rebuild the program.

Also, get information on the women's program.

Back to back losing seasons end Jeff Capel's 5-year stay at the University of Oklahoma, many criticizing the team's overall talent level. In 2010-2011, the Sooners were looking for new stars but found few, finishing 14-18 and missing the postseason again.

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 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.

Head Coach: Lon Kruger - since 2011
Led UNLV, Illinois, Florida and Kansas State to a combined 13 NCAA Tournament Appearances
Assistant Coach: Steve Henson - since 2011
Longtime Kruger Assistant
Assistant Coach: Lew Hill - since 2011
UNLV Assistant under Kruger
Assistant Coach: Chris Crutchfield - since 2011
Former TCU and ORU Assistant Coach

32 Arent, Casey 6-10 227 Center JR
14 Blair Jr., Carl 6-2 205 Guard JR
21 Clark, Cameron 6-6 198 Guard SO
4 Fitzgerald, Andrew 6-8 247 Forward JR
3 Franklin, T.J. 5-11 175 Guard SR
13 Fraschilla, James 5-10 142 Guard FR
1 Grooms, Sam 6-1 203 Guard JR
31 Honoré, Barry 6-7 270 Forward SR
12 Kruger, Jarrod 6-1 174 Guard SO
22 M'Baye, Amath 6-9 214 Forward JR
15 Neal, Tyler 6-7 227 Forward SO
24 Osby, Romero 6-8 232 Forward JR
2 Pledger, Steven 6-4 222 Guard JR
5 Washington, C.J. 6-7 230 Forward SR

It's difficult to project how the Sooners season will go under new head man Lon Kruger. On one hand, many questioned the talent level last season and OU has lost to graduation one of its best players in Cade Davis. But Kruger was brought in for no better reason perhaps than stabilizing the program. He has a history of getting disciplined, solid play out of his guys, and he has had success everywhere he's been. Andrew Fitzgerald, Steven Pledger, Cameron Clark and Tyler Neal all have experience after playing extensive minutes in 2010-2011, and the Sooners will look to transfer Romero Osby to contribute as well. The good news for Oklahoma is that there is very little pressure; anything positive the team accomplishes will be welcomed rather than expected.