Like Coaches, Big 12 Media Pick OU Fourth in Mens Basketball

NORMAN, Okla. In a poll that almost mirrors that of Big 12 men's basketball coaches two weeks ago, conference media representatives picked the Oklahoma Sooners to finish in fourth place this season. OU received 136 points in the poll and was slotted behind Kansas (176), Oklahoma State (166) and Texas (148).

Trailing Oklahoma in the poll were Missouri (116), Iowa State (104), Texas Tech (96), Kansas State (65), Nebraska (62), Colorado (52), Texas A&M (33) and Baylor (25).

As he was last week by the league's coaches, OU junior forward Taj Gray was a unanimous media choice as the Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Gray earned first-team National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association All-America honors and was the runner-up in NJCAA Player of the Year voting after averaging 18.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots as a sophomore. He led Redlands to the junior college national title game.

Fellow OU junior forward Kevin Bookout was one of seven Big 12 players who earned media votes for the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Bookout, 6-8 and 259 pounds, is healthy after missing last season's final 17 games due to shoulder surgery. He has led the Sooners in rebounding average and field goal percentage the last two seasons.

The five-person All-Big 12 Team consists of Kansas' Keith Langford and Wayne Simien, Iowa State's Curtis Stinson and Oklahoma State's Joey Graham and John Lucas. Simien was voted as the Preseason Player of the Year.

Honored as the Preseason Freshman of the Year was Texas guard Daniel Gibson.

A limited number of OU season tickets are still available by contacting the Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-GoOU. The Sooners play two home exhibition games (Nov. 10 and 13) before beginning the regular season with a home game against Cal State Northridge on Nov. 20 at noon.

Preseason Big 12 Media Poll
1. Kansas (176)
2. Oklahoma State (166)
3. Texas (148)
4. Oklahoma (136)
5. Missouri (116)
6. Iowa State (104)
7. Texas Tech (96)
8. Kansas State (65)
9. Nebraska (62)
10. Colorado (52)
11. Texas A&M (33)
12. Baylor (25)

Poll points in parentheses

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Like Coaches, Big 12 Media Pick OU Fourth in Mens Basketball

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