OU/Kansas Preview - Game Thread
GAME SPECIFICS
Date: Friday, March 9
Location: Oklahoma City, Okla. (Ford Center)
Tip: 11:37 a.m. CST
TV: ESPN Plus (KOCB 34/Cox 11 in OKC; KJRH 2/Cox 9 in Tulsa) and ESPNU
TV Talent: Fred White and Paul Splittorff
Radio: Sooner Radio Network (Flagship KOKC 1520 AM in OKC); Yahoo! Broadcast (subscription)
Radio Talent: Bob Barry Sr. and Mike Houck
Series: Kansas leads 131-64
Last Meeting: Kansas won 67-65 (Feb. 26 in Norman)
OKLAHOMA PROJECTED STARTERS
F 24 Nate Carter (6-6, 220, Sr., 11.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
F 32 Taylor Griffin (6-7, 232, So., 6.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
G 2 Michael Neal (6-3, 198, Sr., 10.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
G 3 Bobby Maze (6-3, 175, Fr., 5.9 ppg, 2.0 apg)
G 15 David Godbold (6-5, 215, Jr., 7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
KANSAS PROJECTED STARTERS
F 30 Julian Wright (6-8, 225, So., 12.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
C 24 Sasha Kaun (6-11, 245, Jr., 6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
G 3 Russell Robinson (6-1, 200, Jr., 7.0 ppg, 4.5 apg)
G 15 Mario Chalmers (6-1, 195, So., 12.1 ppg, 3.3 apg)
G 25 Brandon Rush (6-6, 210, So., 13.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
The last time Oklahoma played Kansas I said that the Jayhawks would have to play their worst game of the season while OU played their best. You could make the case that is what happened in the second half resulting in a two point loss for the Sooners.
I don't expect Kansas to sleepwalk through the second half today which means the Sooners will have to take care of business early in the first half because I just don't see a miraculous comeback happening for us. It hasn't to this point of the season and there is no reason to expect it to start now.
What the Sooners Need to Win
* OU needs a surprisingly dominating performance by two of their players. Anyone in the starting lineup has the potential to do so its just a matter of catching lightening in a bottle so to speak.
* OU needs a complete team performance. Sure we need a few guys to step up with the games of their lives but the rest of the team has to be at their complete best as well.
* OU needs to be physical. A pressing physical defense is the best shot taking Kansas out of their game.
* OU needs to take advantage of the early tip. At 11:30 in the morning the team that gets off to the quick start will have the crowd behind them.
Make sure to stop by here and leave your thoughts during and after the game.