Sooners have so far passed test of challenging, ‘unusual’ schedule
NORMAN — From South Texas to The Bahamas. From New York City to Oklahoma City. And on Saturday, a trip down the Turner Turnpike.
The OU men’s basketball team has traveled more than 7,300 miles this season.
The Sooners (8-1) tipoff against USC at 8 p.m. Saturday at BOK Center in Tulsa. It will be their eighth game this season away from the concrete confines of Lloyd Noble Center.
Ten of OU’s first 13 games this season are outside Norman.
That hasn’t happened since the 1975-76 season.
There isn’t much Lon Kruger hasn’t seen in his 33 years coaching college basketball. But just two home games through the first five weeks of the season?
“Unusual for sure,” Kruger said.
Technically, Saturday’s game in Tulsa and last weekend’s contest in Oklahoma City count as OU home games.
But it’s been 18 days since the Sooners have played on their own court.
“It’s paid off from a challenging standpoint,” Kruger said. “In terms of making us focus, making us prepare for different style of opponents. And the guys have made progress. All those indications, it’s been a good schedule for us.”
Mike Shepherd, director of basketball operations, is OU's scheduling architect.
I didn’t think we would jell this fast, but I always had confidence in this team. Just to see it grow as fast as its growing, knowing we’re not even close to maxing out yet, that’s exciting.”
He's worked with Kruger since 1990. Shepherd lays out the scheduling possibilities and confers with Kruger.
Then it's up to athletic director Joe Castiglione to sign off.
Neutral site wins against Florida, Dayton and Notre Dame have boosted OU’s resume.
OU has played six official road and neutral site games.
That’s tied for the most of any team currently in the top-25 of the NCAA’s NET rankings.
The NET rankings have replaced the RPI as the primary evaluation tool for the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
While the ranking methodology is unclear, road and neutral site wins are thought to be heavily valued.
“Not sure anyone is totally aware of how the ratings are going to play out at this point, but you have to consider that as it relates to strength of schedule,” Kruger said.
The Sooners rank third nationally in strength of schedule, according to CBS Sports, and 26th according to KenPom. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index ranks OU 11th in strength of record.
A win against 5-4 USC might not resonate, but
senior guard Christian James
Oklahoma hosts Creighton and travels to Northwestern — both top-60 NET teams — before Big 12 play begins Jan. 2 at Kansas.
The Sooners have so far passed the scheduling test.
Their lone loss came against No. 16 Wisconsin in The Bahamas.
“I didn’t think we would jell this fast, but I always had confidence in this team,” senior guard Christian James said. “Just to see it grow as fast as its growing, knowing we’re not even close to maxing out yet, that’s exciting.”
A rugged Big 12 schedule looms, but James wants to make things easy on the selection committee when they convene in March.
“We’ll just tally up our wins and let them talk,” he said.
OKLAHOMA VS. USC
•When: 8 p.m., Saturday
•Where: BOK Center, Tulsa
•TV: ESPNU (Cox 253/HD 718, Dish 141, DirecTV 208, U-verse 605/HD 1605)
•Radio: KRXO-FM 107.7
Three things to know
•Oklahoma senior center Jamuni McNeace is expected to play Saturday after missing the previous two games with a right ankle sprain. He’s Oklahoma’s second-leading scorer and rebounder. USC freshman guard Kevin Porter Jr. is also nearing a return from injury. His status for Saturday is unknown. Porter Jr. is a projected lottery pick for the 2019 NBA Draft.
•Graduate guard Miles Reynolds has started in McNeace’s absence. The transfer from Pacific is averaging 14 points per game in his last four outings. He’s been a mainstay at the free throw line, where he’s made 43 of 47 (91.5 percent) attempts this season.
•OU is 7-5 all-time against USC. The Sooners beat the Trojans 85-83 last season at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Coach Lon Kruger is 5-0 against Pac-12 opponents in his Oklahoma tenure.