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March 1, 2013 | Record: 18-9 (9-6 Big 12) | Gameday Central | Stats

Senior Saturday

Even though OU has two home games remaining, Saturday's 12:30 p.m. contest against Iowa State will mark the team's Senior Day in order to allow more of the five seniors' out-of-town families to attend the game (next week's West Virginia game is on Wednesday). Casey Arent, Andrew Fitzgerald, Sam Grooms, Romero Osby and Steven Pledger will be honored prior to the tilt against the Cyclones.

Looking back on their time at Oklahoma, all five share a common bond. They've been through ups and downs together, and memories of the experiences they've shared will last a lifetime. The friendships established will extend well beyond their basketball careers.

"The friendship I have with Casey, Romero, Steven and Andrew, that's probably something that 25 years from now I can call them and we can chat and talk about funny times that we had here," said Grooms. "It's the relationships that I've built through hard work and going through the times of losses and wins."

While Saturday will be emotional, it will also be a day for the OU quintet to celebrate. Memories will be shared, and there are sure to be a few laughs.

"It's going to be very emotional for me," said Fitzgerald. "Being here for four years, the coaching change and knowing my college career is about to come to an end, it's really emotional. But I'm excited for it."

Hield Getting Healed

Two-and-a-half weeks ago, freshman Buddy Hield had just undergone surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot sustained in a win over TCU. Visitors at practice this week, however, may have had a tough time telling.

No, Hield wasn't participating in live five-on-five drills. But his usually happy and upbeat attitude was ever-present on the practice court. He was shooting baskets, going through ball-handling drills, encouraging his teammates and providing that same energy and enthusiasm he always displays. He even was wearing sneakers on both feet after spending the first couple weeks in a walking boot.

"Buddy is working hard to get back as quickly as possible," coach Lon Kruger said. "We don't know what that timeline is, but Alex Brown, our trainer, said he's been perfect with his attendance in terms of what he needs to do to recover. He's healing in a good way and we hope to have him back before too long."

Hield has made progress, and is working hard to get back on the court with his teammates. Not being able to practice and play has been trying, but Hield said he has tried to learn something from being on the sidelines.

"It was frustrating, coming in, just seeing everybody practice," Hield admitted. "I love being on the practice court and game court, always being with my teammates. When I see them and can't be out there, it's not a setback but a lesson for me; learn something better. Watching practice, watching games, you see what I have to do more of on the court. Learn from mistakes that other players (make) so when I get on the court I have a better heads up, a step ahead of them."

A s Hield has been sidelined the last two-and-a-half weeks, he's working just as hard to get better. With the things he has observed, Hield might be better than ever when he comes back.

Military Appreciation Saturday

Saturday's game against Iowa State will also mark Military Appreciation Day, with OU honoring past and present servicemen and servicewomen. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free OU camouflage hat, and a giant American flag will be held by both teams during the national anthem. The Lloyd Noble Center video boards will be adorned with camouflage graphics, and military photos and recognitions will be shown.

For seniors Romero Osby and Steven Pledger, Saturday's contest will likely mean a little more than most games. Each had parents who served in the military, and they've been positively impacted.

"My mother and father were in the military when I was younger, and my grandfather as well," said Osby, who was born in Frankfurt, Germany, near Ramstein Air Force Base where his parents were stationed. "Having an opportunity to honor them will be great."

Pledger got a first-hand view of what military life was like, as he had to move several times as a child with his parents.

"My parents were in the military; they met in Cuba," Pledger said. "It's a big thing to me. I was a military kid, basically, so we moved to different places. They do sacrifice a lot. My parents sacrificed a lot for me to be here."

Saturday will be an opportunity to honor everyone who has served our country. For some, that hits a little closer to home.

UP NEXT
Oklahoma hosts Senior Day Saturday vs. Iowa State at the LNC and then plays its final home game of the year on Wednesday vs. WVU:

Date	Opponent	Time
3/2	Iowa State	12:30 p.m.
3/6	WVU	8 p.m.

Tickets | Full Schedule
MOST RECENTLY
The Sooners dismantled Baylor before losing an overtime heartbreaker on the road at Texas:

Opponent	W/L	Score
Texas (OT)	L	92-86
Baylor	W	90-76

QUOTABLE
Senior F Romero Osby
"I cherish every moment, just because of where I came from and how hard it took me to get to this level and to this point. I cherish every moment. There's no one particular moment; I'm going to miss this whole year and the whole last year. I'm going to miss it."

Freshman G Buddy Hield
"It's progressing faster than anybody thinks. I'm just trying to go day-by-day and not overdo it and listen to what AB [trainer Alex Brown] and the doctors have to say. Hopefully soon there'll be a good call that I'll be out there soon."

Senior F Andrew Fitzgerald
"Thank you to everybody that's in the Army, Navy, guys that are overseas, protecting this country. We really appreciate what you do for us, and salute to you."
TEAM NOTES

The Sooners have scored at least 72 points in each of their last six games and are averaging 81.3 points during the span. They averaged 62.5 points over the six games immediately prior to the stretch.

In Big 12 play, OU ranks second in the league in field goal percentage (.456) and free throw percentage (.754), and third in 3-point field goal percentage (.357).

In its seven Big 12 home games, OU is shooting .840 from the free throw line and outscoring its opponents by 8.9 points a game there.

The Sooners have shot better from the field than their opponent in six straight games and in 12 of 15 conference outings.

Oklahoma owns a 110-80 all-time series lead against Iowa State and is 60-22 in games played in Norman.

2012-13 Game Notes

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Senior F Romero Osby
Osby has led the team (or tied for the lead) in scoring in 10 of its 15 Big 12 games. He is averaging 16.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in conference play to rank second and fifth in the league, respectively. He also ranks fourth in Big 12 play with his .530 field goal percentage. Osby is averaging 21.8 points and 9.3 rebounds over the last four games (shooting .583 from the field).

Senior G Steven Pledger
After averaging 6.5 points on 2-for-17 3-point shooting over a four-game span to start February, Pledger is averaging 19.3 points on 18-for-35 (.514) 3-point shooting over the last four outings and has scored at least 18 points in all four. He ranks fourth in the league with his 2.2 treys per contest and seventh with his .375 3-point percentage.

Junior G Cameron Clark
Clark began the year shooting .238 from the field (5-for-21) in the first four games. Since then, he is shooting .551 in 23 games (65-for-118). Clark is 26-for-43 (.605) over the last eight games and is averaging 7.9 points during the span. He owns a .504 season field goal mark.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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