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November 14, 2012 | Record: 1-0 (0-0 Big 12) | Gameday Central | Stats

Down the Road

When Oklahoma plays its first game away from home Friday evening at UT Arlington, it will mark the earliest true road game in a season for the program since playing at Michigan State on Nov. 14, 2001. The early test could help the Sooners down the figurative "road." After all, that 2001-02 team did go to the Final Four -- the fourth appearance in school history.

"There are a lot of elements going against you," senior forward Romero Osby said. "It's a whole different environment than what you're used to. It really tries to take you out of your comfort zone, which is a good thing that we're doing this early in the season so when we get ready to go into Big 12 (play), we'll be ready to go on the road and make some things happen."

The Sooners aren't the only ones that will have to get familiar with the College Park Center. The newly-built facility made its debut last spring as the Mavericks played their final four games of the season there. It's also Homecoming for UTA, which should make for a great atmosphere.

"You never know for sure how the guys will react in the first time away from home," head coach Lon Kruger said. "At home you have that energy from the crowd that can pick you up when things aren't going as smooth as you would want. When you're on the road, you have to get that from each other."

That challenge is something the Sooners are looking forward to.

"The more people in there, the more hyped up we get and the more pumped up we get," junior Amath M'Baye said. "I'm really looking forward to going out there and just playing. Whether there are lot of people or not, it's a game we need and we're going to take every 'W' we can put in the left column."

Balanced Attack

In Sunday's season opener against ULM, OU's depth was on display as 12 Sooners saw action and 10 of them played at least 14 minutes. Seven players scored between nine and 15 points, and four of them reached double-figures.

With so many offensive weapons, it will be hard for opponents to slow down OU's attack by focusing their attention on one or two players.

"This year we have a lot more depth," Osby said after the win. "It gives us a boost. I think that's a thing Coach does a great job of -- keeping us fresh. Coach already told me not to hold anything back, saying we can get someone else in there for you, so just play hard with those minutes you're playing. That's something he's trying to focus on, and I think we have the depth to do it."

Despite opening the season with their first three games spread out over the course of 12 days, the Sooners' schedule will become more grueling in the coming weeks. Every chance for rest will be utilized, and keeping fresh bodies on the floor will be the goal. Still, court time will be earned.

"It will be a continuous experiment to see who is playing their minutes well and who is getting the job done," Kruger said about deciding who will see playing time. "We are not set on anything by any means because players will determine that and dictate that as we get on deeper in conference and non-conference play."

M'Baye added, "I think there are a lot of people who can step in or out of the starting lineup at this point. We have a lot of people scoring, a lot of people rebounding and a lot of people playing different roles. For us to win games and be competitive we are going to need everyone at their best every night."

The Veterans' Day

Before the season started, much attention was directed at freshmen Isaiah Cousins, Buddy Hield and Je'lon Hornbeak. In addition to M'Baye, they were talked about as a new, exciting group of players that would help transform the 2012-13 Sooners into possible NCAA Tournament contenders. While those newcomers performed well in the season opener, it was the veterans who carried the team to an 85-51 victory over ULM.

OU's returning players from last year accounted for 52 points and 25 rebounds. Senior guard Steven Pledger led the team with 15 points, going 5-for-9 from 3-point range.

"That experience, whether it be starting or coming off the bench, is valuable," head coach Lon Kruger said of his returning players after the game. "The veterans have been through a lot of basketball, and they're very motivated to keep making progress."

The OU quintet of Cameron Clark (60), Andrew Fitzgerald (74), Sam Grooms (31), Osby (32) and Pledger (60) has logged a combined 257 starts in their Sooner careers. That experience cannot be replicated in practice.

"I'm glad we had a chance to get out there, get our feet wet a little bit," said Osby, who had nine points, seven boards and three blocks in the opener. "You want to win, first of all, and second of all, you want to get off to a good start to the season individually."

UP NEXT
The Sooners hit the road for their second game of the season, facing UT-Arlington on Friday:

Date	Opponent	Time
11/16	at UT Arlington	7 p.m.

Tickets | Full Schedule | Promos
MOST RECENTLY
Oklahoma won its 10th-consecutive season opener on Sunday, topping ULM at home:

Opponent	W/L	Score
ULM	W	85-51

INTRO VIDEO
In case you missed it, the 2012-13 men's basketball intro video made its debut Sunday at the home opener. The SoonerVision creation is a must-watch:

2012-13 MBB Intro Video

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Lon Kruger
"We expect it to be a very tough atmosphere. They're expecting a full house with Homecoming activities and the official opening of their new building. We know it will be tough and a challenge, but a good experience for our guys."

Junior F Amath M'Baye
"It's my first road trip in over a year-and-a-half so I'm kind of anxious about that. I'm really looking forward to it. I know we have a fun group of guys and a good group of guys. Traveling with them should be easy, fun and I'm really looking forward to playing in a hostile environment."

Senior F Andrew Fitzgerald
"Coach (and I) had our meeting and (he) said I would come off the bench some games. I took a great approach to it, have been real positive about it. He still wants me to be aggressive and help this team out scoring wise. I'm just here to help my team out and be a positive leader for us with a team-first attitude."

TEAM NOTES

Oklahoma owns a 5-0 all-time record against UT Arlington, but Friday's game in Arlington will mark the first not played in Norman. OU won the last meeting, 89-60, in the 2006-07 season.

Friday's game will mark the first of five straight contests played away from Norman. The Sooners play three games Thanksgiving week in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla., before playing at Oral Roberts Nov. 28. Seven of OU's first nine games are away from home.

After outrebounding NCAA Division II opponents Washburn and Central Oklahoma by an average of 6.5 boards in exhibition play, the Sooners outrebounded ULM by 19 (49-30) in Sunday's season opener.

All 12 Sooners who played Sunday scored at least 1 point. The last time that every OU player who saw action in a game scored was 44 games ago in OU's 82-76 overtime win at Iowa State on Jan. 29, 2011 (only eight Sooners played).

2012-13 Game Notes

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Junior F Amath M'Baye
Making his much-anticipated OU debut, junior forward Amath M'Baye finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in 22 minutes against ULM. Projected to 40 minutes, his stat line calculation was 21.8 points, 16.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.6 blocks.

Senior F Andrew Fitzgerald
Coming off the bench for the first time since his freshman year, senior Andrew Fitzgerald contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds in 15 minutes versus ULM. He was 6-for-10 from the field and attempted his first career 3-pointer.

Junior G Steven Pledger
With his five 3-pointers Sunday, Pledger passed Cade Davis on OU's career list and is now in fifth place with 183 makes. He trails fourth-place Tony Crocker by 15 conversions. Terry Evans holds the record with 259 treys.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay connected with the OU men's basketball team by following our feeds on Twitter and Instagram:

Twitter: @SoonerHoops
Instagram: @ou_mbasketball