OU Looks to Remain Unbeaten in Big 12

GAME INFORMATION
Riding a 10-game winning streak, Oklahoma (16-2 overall, 5-0 Big 12) plays at Iowa State (8-8, 0-5) on Saturday at 3 p.m. CST at Hilton Coliseum.

The game will air on the Sooner Radio Network (flagship KOKC 1520 AM in Oklahoma City) with Bob Barry, Sr. (play-by-play) and Mike Houck (analyst) calling the action.

It will be regionally televised by ESPN Plus (KOCB Channel 34/Cox Cable 13 in OKC) with Fred White (play-by-play) and Reid Gettys (analyst) announcing.

Game Live Stats | Game Notes in PDF

PROJECTED OKLAHOMA STARTERS (Stats averages)
F 21 Taj Gray (6-9, 235, Jr., 14.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.7 apg)
F 34 Kevin Bookout (6-8, 259, Jr., 14.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 0.6 apg)
G 2 Jaison Williams (6-3, 181, Sr., 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg)
G 3 Drew Lavender (5-7, 153, So., 9.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.8 apg)
G 20 Terrell Everett (6-4, 185, Jr., 11.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.1 apg)

PROJECTED IOWA STATE STARTERS (Stats averages)
F 13 Rahshon Clark (6-6, 190, Fr., 4.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.8 apg)
F 22 Damion Staple (6-7, 240, Sr., 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.7 apg)
C 51 Jared Homan (6-10, 250, Sr., 13.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.1 apg)
G 1 Curtis Stinson (6-3, 215, So., 16.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.4 apg)
G 11 Will Blalock (6-0, 190, So., 13.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.3 apg)

OKLAHOMA UPDATE
With a 16-2 record, the Sooners are off to their best start in 16 years (the 1988-89 team won 18 games before it lost its third). Oklahoma's 5-0 Big 12 start is its best since the league was formed prior to the 1996-97 season. The last time OU started 5-0 in conference play was during the 1988-89 Big Eight campaign.

Oklahoma's Schedule Changes

The Sooners are coming off a convincing 67-57 home victory over No. 9 Oklahoma State on Monday, a game in which they bolted to a 19-2 advantage and led by as many as 20 (51-31) in the second half. Junior forwards Kevin Bookout (23 points, six rebounds) and Taj Gray (22 points and eight rebounds) combined for 45 points and 14 boards while shooting 21-for-29 from the field (.724). The duo scored OU's first 19 points and made their first 11 field goal attempts combined. Gray added a career-high five assists, two blocks and two steals. Drew Lavender flouished at the point with eight points, a season-high-tying seven assists and two steals. Jaison Williams made a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points while Terrell Everett chipped in with six points, four rebounds and four assists. OU shot .537 from the field and registered assists on 21 of its 29 baskets. The Sooners, who never trailed for the seventh time in the last 10 games, also committed just eight turnovers, their second fewest of the year. The win was the Sooners' 13th straight at home and the 250th for Kelvin Sampson at OU.

OKLAHOMA STATE LEFTOVERS
All 67 of OU's points were scored by its starters.
With five minutes left in the first half, both Taj Gray (13) and Kevin Bookout (10) had more points than OSU (eight).
Bookout (11) and Gray (10) made 21 of OU's 29 field goals. It was the first time in 92 games that two Sooners made 10 or more field goals in a game (Aaron McGhee and Hollis Price each made 10 against Iowa State on Feb. 26, 2002).
The Sooners gave up more 3-pointers (four) than they made (two) for just the third time this season.
Jaison Williams snapped an 0-for-12 streak from beyond the arc with a pair of second-half treys.
Lawrence McKenzie failed to make a 3-pointer for just the second time this season (he was 0-for-2).

ABOUT IOWA STATE
Picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 by league coaches and media, Iowa State has lost its last six games after an 8-2 start and is coming off a 63-51 defeat at Kansas State on Wednesday. The Cyclones have lost three of their last six by five or fewer points. They are 8-2 at home (0-2 in Big 12) and 0-6 on the road (0-3 in league play). On the season, ISU is shooting .445 from the field, .289 from 3-point range and .670 from the foul line.

Iowa State is led by a trio of players who average at least 13 points a game. Sophomore guard Curtis Stinson supplies 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals a game. All but the rebounding average leads the team. Jared Homan, a senior center, averages 13.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per outing. Sophomore point guard Will Blalock contributes 13.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals a game, and has also made a team-high 18 3-pointers on the year. Forwards Rahshon Clark and Damion Staple rank fourth and fifth on the team in scoring with their 4.8 and 4.7 respective averages.

Wayne Morgan is in his second year as Iowa State's head coach and owns a 28-21 (.571) record there. The former Long Beach State head coach is in his eighth season overall and owns a 119-105 (.531) career mark.

SERIES WITH IOWA STATE
Oklahoma, which has won the last three meetings in the series and six of the last eight, owns a 104-75 all-time record against Iowa State and is 8-5 against the Cyclones under Kelvin Sampson. The Sooners are 35-43 in Ames and are 3-3 inside Hilton Coliseum under Sampson. OU has won by double figures in each of the last three meetings (an average of 17.0 points). Last year, the Sooners posted a 75-48 win in Norman behind 17 points from De'Angelo Alexander, 16 from Lawrence McKenzie and 15 from Jason Detrick. Johnnie Gilbert pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds. The Sooners made 12 3-pointers, held Iowa State to .340 shooting and committed just nine turnovers while forcing 19. Curtis Stinson scored 13 points for ISU while Will Blalock had 10. Jackson Vroman scored just four points for the Cyclones but had a game-high 15 rebounds.

AN OU WIN OVER IOWA STATE WOULD...
Mark the Sooners' 11th straight victory and 16th in the last 17 games (they haven't lost in 42 days).
Improve Oklahoma's all-time record against the Cyclones to 105-75 (36-43 in Ames).
Give the Sooners their third win in their last four trips to Ames and make them 4-3 at ISU under Kelvin Sampson.
Tie Kelvin Sampson with former Kansas coach Roy Williams for most regular season Big 12 victories (94).
Give the Sooners a 6-0 Big 12 record for the first time ever (they started 6-0 in the Big Eight in 1988-89 and 11-0 in 1984-85).

SAMPSON CLIMBING BIG 12 LADDER
Kelvin Sampson needs one win to tie former Kansas head coach Roy Williams for most Big 12 regular season victories. Sampson is 93-40 in league play since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996-97 (Williams was 94-18). The OU head coach already holds the Big 12 record for most combined regular season and conference tournament wins (he is 109-45). Sampson also holds the record for most overall wins by a league coach since the Big 12 was formed. He is 210-72 (.745) since the start of the 1996-97 season.

SEVERAL SOONERS AMONG LEAGUE'S STATISTICAL LEADERS
Taj Gray ranks 12th in the Big 12 in scoring (14.7 ppg), third in rebounding (8.2 rpg), fourth in field goal percentage (.563), second in blocked shots (2.0 bpg) and second in offensive rebounds a game (3.2). He is also tied with Kansas' Wayne Simien for the lead in double-doubles with seven. Kevin Bookout ranks 15th in scoring (14.1 ppg), seventh in rebounding (7.1 rpg) and first in field goal percentage (.640). Terrell Everett ranks second in assists (5.1 apg) and third in steals (2.0 spg) while Lawrence McKenzie leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.457) and ranks third in 3-pointers per game (2.5).

In Big 12 games, Bookout ranks third in scoring (19.8 ppg), second in rebounding (9.4 rpg), first in field goal percentage (.667) and second in offensive rebounds (3.6). Gray ranks sixth in rebounding (8.0 rpg), third in field goal percentage (.630) and first in blocked shots (2.8 bpg). Everett ranks second in assists (6.2 apg) and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8).

SCHEDULE CHANGES
ESPN2 has picked up a pair of Oklahoma home games, affecting the date of one of those contests and the start time of the other. OU's matchup with Texas A&M originally scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 1, will now take place on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. The Wednesday, Feb. 16, game against Nebraska will now start at 8 p.m. The Nebraska game will be blacked out in Oklahoma on ESPN2 and air on the Sooner Sports Network.

PLAYING AHEAD
Over the last eight games, the Sooners have trailed their opponents for a combined 22 minutes and 45 seconds out of 320 minutes. OU has not trailed in six of its last eight games and in seven of its last 10. Over the last 14 games (dating back to Dec. 1), OU has trailed its opponents for just a combined 46 minutes and 35 seconds out of 560 minutes.

OU HAS WON 70 PERCENT OF ITS BIG 12 GAMES
Dating back to the start of Big 12 Conference play during the 1996-97 season, Oklahoma has posted a 93-40 league record for a .699 winning percentage. Only Kansas (111-22; .835) owns a better mark than OU (Texas is tied with OU at 93-40). Oklahoma State is fourth at 88-46 (.657) and Missouri is fifth at 72-62 (.537). Including Big 12 Tournament games, OU owns a 109-45 record (.708), second best in the conference behind Kansas (126-27; .824). The Sooners are 16-5 in the Big 12 Tournament and have won three of the eight tourney titles.

OU'S FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED
The Sooners have shot .500 or better from the field in six of the last eight games and have done so in 12 of 18 games on the year. Last season, OU shot .408 from the field its worst mark in 40 years and shot .500 or better just three times. Among OU's performances this year was a .613 effort against Florida A&M on Dec. 30, its third best mark under 11th-year head coach Kelvin Sampson and best in 234 games. The Sooners are shooting .487 on the season to rank third in the Big 12.

LONG DISTANCE DIALER
Sophomore guard Lawrence McKenzie, who leads the Big 12 in 3-point percentage (.457), has made at least three 3-pointers in five of the last seven games and at least four treys in four of the last seven. The Minneapolis, Minn., native, who has drained 42 treys on the year, has made at least two 3-pointers in 13 of his 17 games and at least three in nine contests. He ranks third in the league in 3-pointers made per game (2.5). Last year, McKenzie made 45 treys and shot .321 from beyond the arc.

SOONERS ON POSITIVE END OF 3-POINT DISPARITY
The Sooners have made 119 3-pointers this season (an average of 6.6 a game) and are shooting .370 from beyond the arc. Opponents, by comparison, have canned just 58 treys (3.2 a game) and are shooting .265 from long range. Oklahoma has made more 3-pointers than its opponent in 15 of 18 games. Lawrence McKenzie is averaging 2.5 3-point makes a game and leads the Big 12 Conference with his .457 season percentage. Jaison Williams, Drew Lavender and Terrell Everett have made 30, 22 and 14 treys this year, respectively.

WHY DON'T WE STEAL AWAY
OU recorded a season-high 16 steals against Florida A&M on Dec. 30 and now leads the Big 12 with its 9.3 steals a game. The Sooners have recorded more steals than their opponents in 12 of the last 14 games. Junior guard Terrell Everett is averaging 2.0 steals on the year to rank third in the Big 12.

GRAY, EVERETT SUPPLY IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Junior college transfers Taj Gray and Terrell Everett have quickly become two of OU's top producers this season. Gray, a 6-9, 235-pounder, leads OU in scoring (14.7 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg) and blocked shots (2.0 bpg) in 27.7 minutes a contest. The unanimous Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year has won three Big 12 Rookie-of-the-Week honors, the first one after recording 29 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in OU's season-opening win against Cal State Northridge. Gray is tied with Kansas' Wayne Simien for the Big 12 lead with seven double-doubles on the year.

Everett, a 6-4, 185-pound left-handed guard, has been steady all season at the wing and point guard spots. He is averaging 11.7 points (ranks third on team), 4.5 rebounds (ranks third) and a team-high 5.1 assists a game, and is shooting .368 from beyond the 3-point arc. Everett has led OU (or tied for the team lead) in assists in 10 of the last 12 games. He is averaging 6.8 assists over the last five outings and ranks second in the Big 12 (league games) with 6.2 assists a game. He was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week following his three-game performance at the Great Alaska Shootout.

BOOKOUT LEADS BIG 12 IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Oklahoma's leader in field goal percentage his first two seasons, junior forward Kevin Bookout is shooting a remarkable .640 from the field this season (103-for-161) to lead the Big 12 Conference and rank ninth nationally. The 6-8, 259-pound Bookout has shot .500 or better in 16 of his 17 games this year and owns a .667 mark in conference play. The reigning Big 12 Rookie of the Week has earned the honor twice this year the first time on Jan. 10 after a 13-for-14 field goal performance against Colorado in which he scored 27 points. He also made nine of his 10 field goal attempts against then-No. 22 Washington on Nov. 26, was 5-for-5 against Cal State Northridge in the season opener and was 6-for-6 in the second half at Purdue on Dec. 8. He shot .587 as a freshman to lead the Big 12 and posted a .516 mark last year in 13 games.

SOONERS SHOWCASING MORE SCORING BALANCE IN 2004-05
Oklahoma's guards accounted for 68 percent of the team's points last season. That figure is down this year, however, as the Sooners have showcased a potent inside attack. OU's guards have scored 759 of the squad's 1,370 points, or 55 percent this season. Junior forwards Taj Gray (14.7 ppg) and Kevin Bookout (14.1 ppg) are the main reasons OU's frontcourt production has increased from 32 percent of the team's points last year to 45 percent this year. Gray and Bookout rank first and second on the squad in scoring.

GUARDS TIGHTEN DEFENSIVE SCREWS
Oklahoma's guards have done a solid job of defending the 3-point line this season as the team leads the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.265). Only one opponent (Baylor) has made more than five 3-pointers against OU this year. Conversely, the Sooners have made at least five treys in 16 of 18 games.

BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE
The Sooners have registered 302 assists through 18 contests for an average of 16.8 a game. An assist has been credited on 60 percent of OU's field goals. Last year's team averaged 12.1 assists a contest and 53 percent of its baskets were assisted. OU leads the Big 12 (league games) with its 17.6 assists per game.

NOT AFRAID OF REJECTION
Junior forward Taj Gray (6-9) and freshman center Longar Longar (6-11) have been intimidating in the paint with their shot-blocking ability. Gray has registered six games of three-or-more rejections while Longar has blocked three shots on three occasions. Gray is averaging 2.0 swats an outing to rank second in the Big 12 and leads the league with his 2.8 blocks per conference game. Longar is averaging 1.0 blocks in 10.3 minutes a game to rank 11th in the league. The Sooners are averaging 4.4 blocks a contest as a team. Senior Johnnie Gilbert, who has nine blocked shots this year, ranks fourth on OU's career list with 118.

PREACHING PROTECTION
Dating back to the start of the 2003-04 season, Oklahoma has committed more turnovers than its opponent just eight times in its last 49 games (16 percent of its games).

BREAKING 80
The Sooners have been tough to beat under Kelvin Sampson when they score at least 80 points in a game. Since Sampson arrived in Norman prior to the 1994-95 season, OU is 120-12 (.909) when reaching 80 points. The Sooners have won 37 of their last 39 and 53 of their last 56 when scoring 80 or more.

TOUGH SLATE
Oklahoma will play five games this year against teams in this week's AP poll's top 10 and will play eight games against teams in the top 19. OU has already faced No. 2 Duke (lost), No. 9 Oklahoma State (won), No. 10 Washington (lost), No. 16 Texas (won) and No. 19 Connecticut (won). It will play once against No. 6 Kansas and once more each against Oklahoma State and Texas.

SOONERS GOING FOR EIGHTH STRAIGHT 20-WIN SEASON
Oklahoma finished 20-11 last year to post its seventh consecutive 20-win campaign. The Sooners have won 175 games over the last seven seasons for an average of 25 per year. Over the last five seasons, OU is averaging 26 wins. The school record for consecutive 20-win seasons is 12 (1981-82 through 1992-93 under Billy Tubbs).

OKLAHOMA TIP INS
After Saturday, seven of OU's remaining 10 regular season games will be televised by national networks.
OU's two losses have come to teams who own a combined 31-4 record (Duke is 15-1 and Washington is 16-3).
The Sooners haven't lost in 42 days (Dec. 18 versus Duke).
Oklahoma has outrebounded its opponent in 13 of 18 games this year and is 13-0 in those contests.
In Big 12 games, OU leads the league in scoring defense (57.4 ppg), scoring margin (+12.8), field goal percentage (.483), assists (17.6 apg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.54), and ranks second in blocked shots (4.2 bpg) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.274).
Oklahoma has made more 3-pointers than its opponent in 15 of its 18 games. OU leads the Big 12 by giving up just 3.2 treys per game (the next lowest figure is 4.8 surrendered per contest by Oklahoma State).
Lawrence McKenzie has made at least three 3-pointers in five of the last seven games and at least four treys in four of the last seven.
McKenzie has made multiple 3-pointers in 13 of his 17 games this year, including 11 of the last 13.
The Sooners have made 61 more 3-pointers than their opponents this season (average of 3.4 a game).
Junior Terrell Everett has led the team in assists in 10 of the last 12 games. He is averaging 5.1 assists per game on the year. Tyrone Foster (5.6 in 1995-96) is the last Sooner to average as many assists over a season.
Everett has made 21 of his last 23 free throw attempts (.913) after starting the year 32-for-47 (.681).
OU shot .500 or better from the field three times all of last season, but has done it in 12 of its 18 games this year. The Sooners shot .408 last year but own a .487 mark this season.
Junior forward Kevin Bookout went 13-for-14 from the field against Colorado Jan. 8 (Big 12's best field goal percentage game this season) and has shot .500 or better in 16 of his 17 games (he leads the Big 12 with a .640 season figure). His 9-for-10 shooting performance against Washington ranks as the league's second best this year in terms of field goal percentage.
In conference games, Bookout ranks first in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.667), second in rebounding (9.4 rpg) and third in scoring (19.8 ppg). He has three double-doubles in five league contests.
OU's starting frontcourt of Bookout (.667) and Taj Gray (.630) is shooting a combined .652 from the field in Big 12 play.
Freshman center Longar Longar is 21-for-26 from the field this season (.808). His first six field goals were dunks and he has 12 slams on the year.
OU has won 61 of its last 65 home games (.937).

UNDER KELVIN SAMPSON...
OU has made 10 straight postseason showings (nine NCAA and one NIT).
OU has advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 (1999), Final Four (2002) and Elite Eight (2003).
OU has posted a 93-40 (.699) regular season Big 12 Conference record.
OU has recorded a 143-20 (.877) record at Lloyd Noble Center and has won 61 of its last 65 home games.
OU has won at least 20 games each of the last seven years.
OU has averaged 26 victories over the past five seasons.
OU has won three of the past four Big 12 Tournaments and has made five title game appearances in the last seven events.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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