OU Tips Season with Road Test at Memphis

Memphis

^8/8 Oklahoma

Nov. 17 | 4 p.m. CT | Memphis, Tenn.

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TUESDAY'S GAME BASICS

The No. 8/8 Sooners open up the 2015-16 regular season on the road at Memphis on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. CT inside FedExForum. OU, which went 24-11 last season (12-6 Big 12; T/2nd place) and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, is starting its fifth season under head coach Lon Kruger. The Tigers, coached by Josh Pastner, went 18-14 last season and are 1-0 this season.

Senior Ryan Spangler

ON THE AIR

Tuesday's contest will air on the Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM “The Franchise” in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa) with Toby Rowland and Scott Thompson announcing. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN with Dave O'Brien and Miles Simon calling the action. The game is part of the network's 24-hour college hoops marathon.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

• Oklahoma (0-0) travels to Memphis, Tenn., to open the 2015-16 season against the Memphis Tigers (1-0). Oklahoma is 4-0 in season openers under head coach Lon Kruger. Additionally, the Sooners have won 12 consecutive season openers dating back to the 2003-04 season. The team's last loss to open a campaign came on Nov. 14, 2002 (lost 68-62 to Alabama in NYC in the AT&T Wireless Classic).

• OU will aim to earn its first victory in the all-time series between the two schools. Memphis is 6-0 all-time against Oklahoma. The two teams last met on Nov. 15, 2007 in New York City in the 2K Sports Hoops Classic (Tigers won 63-53).

• The Sooners will look to build upon their defensive success of last season. In 2014-15, OU ranked 11th nationally by holding opponents to a collective .386 season field goal mark. It was the lowest OU opponent figure since the 1959-60 season. Oklahoma held 28 of 35 opponents (80 percent) to fewer points than they were averaging at the time of competition.

• OU returns 75 percent of its scoring, 69 percent of its rebounding and 83 percent of its assists from last season's NCAA Sweet 16 squad. Picked to finish second in the Big 12 by league coaches, the Sooners return four starters, including 2015 Big 12 Player of the Year Buddy Hield.

• Oklahoma is ranked No. 8 in the AP and USA Today Coaches top-25 preseason polls. The No. 8 ranking is the highest for the Sooners since the conclusion of the 2008-09 season (finished No. 7).

MEMPHIS AT A GLANCE

• The Tigers are 149-58 under head coach Josh Pastner (7th year), including 1-0 this season. Under the direction of Pastner, the team is 97-17 overall at home and 23-8 in the month of November.

• Last season, Memphis finished with an 18-14 overall record. The Tigers owned a 10-8 record in the American Athletic Conference (T/5th).

• The Tigers are led by Shaq Goodwin, who averaged 9.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game a season ago. Also in the lineup for Memphis this season is University of Alabama transfer Ricky Tarrant. The senior averaged 13.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for the Crimson Tide in 2014-15.

• This year's Memphis roster includes eight freshman.

• Goodwin led Memphis in its first game of the season (beat Southern Miss. 67-49) with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists. Also scoring in double figures for the Tigers were Dedric Lawson (13) and Trahson Burrell (11). Memphis did not trail in the opener, leading for 39:53 of the contest.

• This season marks the sixth year that the Tigers have participated in the ESPN 24 hour event, (3-2 previous record). Additionally, the Tigers are a perfect 3-0 in games played in Memphis during the event.

• Pastner has the fifth-most wins in program history and is nine victories away from tying Dana Kirk.

Dante Buford

EXHIBITION SEASON REVISITED

• The Sooners closed out the preseason with a 98-76 victory over the Mid-America Christian Evangels on Nov. 12 inside Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma went 2-0 in exhibition play this season (defeated Washburn 112-62 on Nov. 6).

• With the two victories, the Sooners have compiled a 53-2 exhibition record over the last 27 years.

• In the two preseason games, Buddy Hield averaged 21.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals in 26.0 minutes. The senior shot .536 (15-28) from the field and .615 (8-13) from 3-point range.

• Ryan Spangler averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 25.5 minutes. The Oklahoma native was an efficient 12-17 (.706) overall from the field.

• Also averaging double-figure scoring for the Sooners was senior Dinjiyl Walker with 10.0 ppg. The guard shot .545 (6-11) overall from the field, including .571 (4-7) from long distance.

• Oklahoma showcased its depth, as the team's four talented freshmen contributed to the victories. Leading the frosh charge was Christian James, who averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Jamuni McNeace (7.0 ppg, team-high 7.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg), Rashard Odomes (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Dante Buford (4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg) also made significant contributions in exhibition play.

• The Sooners were strong defensively, holding their opponents to a combined .392 (49-125) shooting from the field. OU also posted a +21.5 advantage on the boards.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma returns home to host McNeese State on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. CT at Lloyd Noble Center. The Sooners are 2-0 all-time against the Cowboys. The two teams have not met since Nov. 3, 1987.