Men's Basketball Borrows Football Turf

NORMAN, Okla. -- The temperature in Norman on Thursday was in the low 90s, but the thermometer was reading in the triple digits on the OU football team's artificial turf practice field directly south of Owen Field. That's where Kelvin Sampson's Sooner basketball team completed an intense 45-minute workout as part of its preseason conditioning program.

The 12-man team ran a seemingly endless series of short and long sprints aimed at helping the players prepare for the physical demands of the upcoming season.

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"Our goal between now and the start of practice is to get these guys ready to practice," said men's basketball strength coach Darby Rich. "We don't need them to be in game shape on Oct. 14. We need them to be in practice shape so they can finish a two- or three-hour practice. Then we'll build into game shape as time progresses.

"Lance Armstrong doesn't pedal the Tour de France two months ahead of time. If he did he wouldn't have anything left for the actual race. It's the same philosophy for us."

Thursday's outdoor session was one element of a six-week training regimen that began with pre-testing last week and will conclude with post-testing in early October. Also involved in the program are weightlifting sessions, mile runs and jumping and flexibility exercises.

"From a mental standpoint, we're trying to get them to do things they think are impossible to do," said Rich. "They dread what they're about to do but then they do it and they feel good about themselves. It starts building a mental toughness and they bond as a group. We want these guys together as a strong unit."

Oklahoma, ranked No. 2 nationally by CBSsportsline.com, begins the 2005-06 season with exhibition games on Nov. 5 and 12 in Norman. The Sooners open the regular season Nov. 19 with a 3 p.m. home game against Samford.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Men's Basketball Borrows Football Turf

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