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December 20, 2012 | Record: 7-3 (0-0 Big 12) | Gameday Central | Stats

Five-Plus Starters

One of the driving forces behind OU's 7-3 start has been the point production off the bench. The Sooner reserves have supplied 273 of the team's 669 points (41 percent) through the first 10 games, and have been outscored just twice this season. The bench has been led by Cameron Clark, Sam Grooms and Andrew Fitzgerald, all starters last season.

"As a basketball player, you have to be ready to make the adjustments," said Buddy Hield about coming off the bench. "I want the coaches to know they can trust me every time I go on the basketball court so I can produce and keep helping the team. Even when we'll be in a slump a little bit, I'll try to be the spark that helps them. Coach Kruger has been preaching that we have to play together in order for us to win, so we have to keep playing together and trust each other."

In OU's most recent win, a 64-54 victory over Texas A&M, three Sooner starters combined for two points as Oklahoma struggled early. The Sooners utilized their depth with a 33-13 edge off the bench to wear out the Aggies.

"It's great," said head coach Lon Kruger. "In reality, obviously Cameron comes in and has a very good ball game; he could be a starter. Andrew has had a good ball game at times, he could be a starter, and Buddy. We have probably eight guys that could be in the starting lineup. The fact that they're coming off the bench looks good for bench points, but it's not totally accurate because they could be starters too."

OU's well-balanced attack has proven to be successful, and it's clear that it doesn't matter who starts or who comes off the bench. The only thing that matters for the Sooners is playing well as a team, whoever the five guys are on the court.

"Starters and bench I think is a sticker you put on players, but we really have two starting fives," starter Amath M'Baye said. "Everybody in the starting five could be on the bench, and anybody on the bench could be in the starting five. I think Coach Kruger has done a great job of managing minutes and managing players, so it's great to be that deep."

Tricks Up His Sleeve

Sophomore guard James Fraschilla recently rolled out his latest trick shot video, the second he's created while at OU to benefit Hayden's Hope, an organization aimed at raising awareness for pediatric organ donation. Fraschilla talked about his motivation, and the behind-the-scenes aspects of the project:

Home Sweet Home

The Sooners haven't played that much at home. In fact, Tuesday's contest against Stephen F. Austin was just their third home game of the season, tied for fewest among all six "power conference" members. After seven of its first nine games were played away from the Lloyd Noble Center, OU is in the midst of a four-game home stand to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule. Needless to say, the opportunity to play in front of its fans is a welcome change of pace.

"Playing at home, you're a little more comfortable," senior Romero Osby said. "Any basketball game is going to be tough, especially in Division I, but playing at home gives you a little bit of an advantage. It's just a little bit easier than going on the road, being 16 guys against the world. You get to rest in your own bed, you don't have to travel, and you can chill and relax and be in your comfort zone, so it's great. It's fun to come back home, it's a good opportunity to play in your home building in front of your home crowd."

Plane rides, hotels and unfamiliar arenas can take their toll, especially on game day. With the Sooners in Norman for three straight games, those issues are put aside until early January.

"I'm excited," M'Baye said. "Our home crowd is always great. It's always good to live right down the street and be able to show up for a game. I'm looking forward to the rest of the games we play in here, especially conference play. I just want it to be fun for everybody here. We are going to be more comfortable here, there's no doubt."

Hoops and Holidays

The Sooners are off for the holidays for a few days before returning to Norman to prepare for Ohio, Oklahoma's Dec. 29 opponent. We spoke with OU players regarding their plans for the holidays and what they asked Santa for this year:

UP NEXT
Oklahoma is off for the holidays, but will host two games in three days to close the calendar year, including the Field House Series game vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Dec. 31:

Date	Opponent	Time
12/29	vs. Ohio	7 p.m.
12/31	vs. TAMUCC	2 p.m.

Tickets | Full Schedule
MOST RECENTLY
The Sooners defeated Texas A&M in Oklahoma City before falling to Stephen F. Austin and its nation-best scoring defense:

Opponent	W/L	Score
Texas A&M	W	64-54
SFA	L	56-55

QUOTABLE
Senior F Romero Osby
"There are a lot of factors that go into playing at home. You get to rest in your own bed. You don't have to travel so there's no wear and tear on your body from traveling. You can kind of chill, relax and be in your own comfort zone. It's fun to come back home and get an opportunity to play in your home building in front of your home crowd and try to make them proud playing good basketball for them."

Freshman G Buddy Hield
"Everybody is playing with each other. Coach has been preaching in practice that we have to play together in order for us to win. We have to keep playing together and trust each other. Everybody is getting used to their roles because since we have a new team, everybody has new roles. We're getting used to it."

Head Coach Lon Kruger
"Guys will all get a break, about four days out of here. Most of them will get a chance to get home during that time. Our family will get up to Kansas for a little bit and see family for a day or two. It will be a good break for everyone."

TEAM NOTES

OU's 56-55 loss to Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday snapped the Sooners' 36-game non-conference home winning streak. Interestingly, the last non-Big 12 team to beat OU in Norman was Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 8, 2007.

The last time the Sooners lost a home non-conference game, they responded to post consecutive victories against Arkansas, Gonzaga and West Virginia.

The Sooners have exhibited scoring balance this season, with seven players averaging between 6.3 and 12.7 points per game.

After giving up a season-high 81 points at Arkansas on Dec. 4, OU has surrendered 54 and 56 the last two games.

OU is shooting .714 from the free throw line on the year, but each of its top three scorers are shooting at least .789. Romero Osby is shooting .808 from the foul line, Steven Pledger .789 and Buddy Hield .824.

2012-13 Game Notes

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Freshman G Buddy Hield
Despite coming off the bench in all 10 games, Hield ranks third on the team in both scoring (8.9 ppg) and rebounding (4.2 rpg). Twenty-three of his 42 rebounds (55 percent) have been offensive. His 11 boards Tuesday vs. Stephen F. Austin were a career high.

Senior G Steven Pledger
After scoring in single digits in four straight games, senior guard Steven Pledger has reached double figures in each of the last three outings. With 1,125 career points, he ranks 28th in OU history. He is also tied for fourth place with 198 3-pointers.

Freshman G Je'lon Hornbeak
In his second game playing primarily point guard, Hornbeak scored 12 points (second highest total of year) and handed out a team-high 3 assists on Tuesday. He made a career-high three 3-pointers on five attempts.

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

Twitter: @SoonerHoops
Instagram: @ou_mbasketball

FIELD HOUSE TICKETS
The Sooners will host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at historic McCasland Field House at 2 p.m. CT on Dec. 31.

Tickets Now Available ($10)