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November 9, 2012 | Record: 0-0 (0-0 Big 12) | Gameday Central | Blog

Ready to Go

The summer workouts, preseason practices and exhibition games are done. Finally, it's time for the Oklahoma men's basketball team to play a game that counts. OU opens the 2012-13 season Sunday at 2 p.m. against ULM after posting exhibition wins over NCAA Division II members Washburn (83-66) and Central Oklahoma (94-66).

With preseason complete, head coach Lon Kruger has been able to form an early impression of his team.

"(As with) most exhibition games there are things that are good and some things we need to work on," Kruger said after Wednesday's win over UCO. "We moved the ball well. Our effort and intensity was good. I think (we) need to be more aggressive to the boards, especially in the first half and for loose balls. We will get better from it and that's what these games are about."

While adding new faces such as junior transfer Amath M'Baye and freshmen Isaiah Cousins, Buddy Hield and Je'lon Hornbeak is exciting, one that remains constant is Kruger's. Entering his second season, the stability adds a level of ease.

"Last year was difficult," senior guard Sam Grooms said. "I didn't know everything I needed to know about him and the things he expected, I kind of learned as I went. This year coming back, I know exactly what to expect, where he wants the ball and how he wants it to go."

Three the Hard Way

Tabbed as "Three the Hard Way," the freshman guard trio's inseparable bond has made the transition to playing at Oklahoma easy. Even off the basketball court, it's hard to find one without the others.

"They're two crazy kids," Hield said of his friends and teammates. "It's fun being with them. I room with Je'lon. Isaiah is right next door to us. We go out together, we have fun together. It was just an instant bond when we came in."

All three come from different backgrounds, with Cousins from Mount Vernon, N.Y., Hield from The Bahamas and Hornbeak from Arlington, Texas. While they're enjoying each other's company, they are united by one common goal.

"They want to play well and they work really hard at their games," senior Romero Osby said. "They're really athletic and they want to be here. As a basketball player, you respect them for staying in the gym. They are three guys that do that."

Off the Deep End

Through two exhibition games, depth has been an underlying theme for the Sooners. Unlike last year when OU's five starters each averaged more than 27 minutes per game, this year's team has plenty of players who can supply minutes off the bench.

Eleven players saw action in each exhibition game, and 10 of them averaged at least 18 minutes per contest. In addition to returning 88 percent of their scoring from last year, the Sooners add M'Baye and the freshman backcourt combination of Cousins, Hield and Hornbeak. The three guards shot a combined 65 percent from 3-point range (13-for-20) in exhibition play, with Hield averaging a team-high 17.5 points.

With a heavy arsenal of talented players, depth is something Kruger wants to continue to exploit as the season commences.

"We will definitely play 10 or 11 guys here in the early portion of the non-conference schedule," he said. "I hope they play the minutes well enough to continue to have that type of depth in Big 12 play. Guys know we want to play a lot of people, so if they step in and do the things necessary and get the production necessary, there is no reason to shorten it up. They will determine that by how they're playing and their production."

With depth comes more balanced playing time and the ability to sub out tired players. It ensures all five players on the court won't be fatigued come closing time. In late-game situations, a fresh player from the bench could be one of OU's biggest strengths.

UP NEXT
The Sooners open the 2012-13 season on Sunday at Lloyd Noble Center:

Date	Opponent	Time (CT)
11/11	vs. ULM	2 p.m.

Tickets | Full Schedule
MOST RECENTLY
Oklahoma swept through its two exhibition games, taking care of business in Norman:

Opponent	W/L	Score
Central Okla.	W	94-66
Washburn	W	83-66

QUOTABLE
Senior F Romero Osby
"It's my last one in college. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time to try to help lead a team, play a significant role and help get the team back to the NCAA Tournament. It's a challenge for us as a team to see if we can go out and make things happen."

Freshman G Je'lon Hornbeak
"You get all your jitters out real quick, especially after the first game. I tried to say I didn't have the jitters. I really didn't get rid of them until the second game. It's good to finally play against competition outside of your own teammates."

Freshman G Buddy Hield
"I just want to help the team, do what is best for the team, win every game and do what Coach Kruger wants me to do; be prepared every time he calls my name."

TEAM NOTES

The Sooners enter the 2012-13 season as winners of 34 straight home non-conference games and 92 of the last 94 such contests. OU's last home non-league loss came five years ago (Stephen F. Austin).

OU owns a 1-0 all-time record against season-opening opponent ULM. The Sooners posted a 72-61 home win in the second game of the 2009-10 season.

The Sooners have won 25 of their last 27 season-opening games, with the only losses during those 27 years coming to Alabama (68-62 in New York City) in 2002-03 and Massachusetts (84-83 in Norman) in 1993-94. OU has won 32 of its last 33 home openers.

OU returns 88 percent of its scoring, 81 percent of its rebounds and 78 percent of its assists from last season.

After making just 8 of their 16 first-half free throw attempts (.500) in the exhibition opener against Washburn, the Sooners went 47-for-59 (.797) over the next three halves against the Ichabods and Central Oklahoma.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Freshman G Buddy Hield
Hield led OU in scoring in each of its two exhibition games, totaling 16 against Washburn and 19 vs. Central Oklahoma. He averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting .750 from 3-point range (6-for-8) in 23.0 minutes per game.

Freshman G Je'lon Hornbeak
Hornbeak averaged 10.5 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals in exhibition play while Isaiah Cousins, another freshman guard, averaged 7.5 points and 2.5 assists. Hield, Hornbeak and Cousins combined to go 13-for-20 (.650) from behind the 3-point arc.

Junior F Amath M'Baye
M'Baye averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 boards and 2.0 blocks while registering team highs of 11 free throw makes and 13 attempts (.846).

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

Twitter: @SoonerHoops
Instagram: @ou_mbasketball