Men's Basketball Releases 2001-02 Schedule

Sept. 16, 2001

Schedule

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma released its 2001-02 men's basketball schedule today, a slate that features the Preseason National Invitation Tournament, non-conference games against Arkansas, Maryland and Connecticut, and at least five contests on ESPN or ESPN2.

After playing exhibition games Nov. 5 (at the OU Field House) and 9, the Sooners will open their eighth campaign under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson Nov. 12 when they host Central Connecticut in first-round play of the Preseason NIT. It will be the first regular season game in the newly renovated Lloyd Noble Center. A second-round matchup versus Michigan State, a Final Four participant the last three years, is possible two days later. Four teams will advance to New York City and Madison Square Garden for games Nov. 21 and 23.

Following a Nov. 28 contest against Central Michigan, OU will travel to Arkansas Nov. 30 for a nationally televised game on ESPN2. The Sooners have won games each of the last three seasons versus the Razorbacks.

Also in December, Oklahoma will host 2001 Final Four participant Maryland on the 21st on ESPN, and will participate in the All-College Classic against Texas Southern on the 29th. Also in the All-College, Oklahoma State will play Ball State prior to OU's game.

The Sooners start Big 12 Conference play Jan. 5 by hosting Texas A&M before returning quickly to interleague action Jan. 7 at Connecticut as part of ESPN's first "Big Monday" telecast of the season. Highlighting the conference portion of the schedule are home games against Texas Tech and new head coach Bobby Knight, Missouri (ESPN), rival Oklahoma State, Texas (ESPN) and last year's regular season league champion Iowa State. The Sooners will also play ABC televised games at Kansas and Texas Tech.

OU, which finished 26-7 last year and tied for second place in the league with a 12-4 mark, will defend its 2001 Big 12 Tournament crown March 7-10 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. NCAA Tournament play begins March 14 and the Sooners will be looking to make their eighth straight appearance in the event.

"This is, by far, our toughest schedule since I've been at Oklahoma," said Sampson. "Arkansas, Maryland and Connecticut will present us with major challenges, and we've got a potential matchup with Michigan State in the second game of the year. Eastern Illinois and St. Bonaventure played in the postseason last year, and Central Michigan and Louisiana Tech will be good, too. Throw in 16 dogfights in Big 12 play and we're looking at a very tough schedule. But we're excited and we'll be ready."

Not including potential Preseason NIT opponents, the Sooners will play a total of 14 games against eight teams that participated in postseason competition last year. Arkansas, Eastern Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Texas all participated in the NCAA Tournament while Baylor, Connecticut and St. Bonaventure were in the NIT.

Fifteen of OU's guaranteed 27 games will be televised either nationally or regionally, while at least an additional five contests will air locally on the Sooner Sports Network.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the OU Athletic Ticket Office at (800) 456-4668 or (405) 325-2424.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Men's Basketball Releases 2001-02 Schedule

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