University of Oklahoma Athletics
Monday, December 30
Norman
6:00 PM
University of Oklahoma
vs
UTRGV
Photo by: Ty Russell
Sooners Close 2019 Against UTRGV
December 29, 2019 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN – Oklahoma (8-3, 0-0 Big 12) closes out the decade and its pre-conference schedule on Monday when it hosts UTRGV (4-8, 0-0 WAC) at Lloyd Noble Center.
The Sooners are coming off a short holiday break and a win over UCF while UTRGV suffered a loss on the road at Texas Tech, a game in which the Vaqueros led the Red Raiders at halftime.
The matchup will tip at 6 p.m. CT
• Chad McKee, Bryndon Manzer and Jessica Coody will call the action on Fox Sports Oklahoma. Fans with proper cable verification can stream the game through the Fox Sports Go App.
• Traditional tickets start at $10 can purchased at the OU Athletics Ticket Office (800-456-4668) and SoonerSports.com/Tickets. Lloyd Noble Center's north and east ticket windows will open at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
• All students who purchased football season tickets have free access to men's basketball games by scanning their OU student ID. Students who did not purchase football tickets can claim men's basketball season tickets for just $60 on SoonerSports.com/students.
• Single-game student tickets are also available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the student entrance for $5.
• The Sooner Jr. Kids Zone on the southern side of the concourse will include a face painter and balloon artist.
• Monday's game is Lew Hill's first game back at Lloyd Noble Center. An OU assistant coach for six seasons, Hill is now in his fourth season as the head coach at UTRGV. A staple on Kruger's staffs at both UNLV and OU for a combined 12 season, Hill assisted Kruger in making eight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2016 Final Four.
• Lon Kruger began his head coaching career at Texas-Pan American (now UTRGV) in 1982. Kruger inherited a squad that was 5-20 in the year prior to his arrival and helped guide the Broncs to a 20-8 (.714) record in his fourth season (1985-86) at the UTPA helm. The .714 winning percentage by the 1985-86 team is the highest in the program's last 39 years. In his four seasons at Pan American, Kruger accumulated a 52-59 (.468) record before taking a job at his alma mater, Kansas State, in 1986. Kruger was inducted into UTRGV's Athletics Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor in the fall of 2018.
• OU is 7-2 all-time against current members of the Western Athletic Conference, with its only two losses coming to Seattle during the 1960s.
• The Vaqueros are in fourth season under head coach Lew Hill, who took the UTRGV job after six years on Lon Kruger's staff at Oklahoma. A staple on Kruger's staffs at both UNLV and OU for a combined 12 season, Hill assisted Kruger in making eight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2016 Final Four. Hill inherited a UTRGV squad that was 8-22 (4-10 in conference) during the season prior to his arrival (2015-16) and has already turned the program around to win 20 games in 2018-19.
• Byron Peak is in his second season as special assistant to the head coach on UTRGV's staff. Peak had spent the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant for the Sooners and was an OU student manager for the three seasons prior to his GA position. His younger brother, Keldon, is a student assistant on OU's strength and conditioning staff.
• After playing a trio of fast-paced, high-scoring games on the road to open the month, Oklahoma used a defensive battle to knock off UCF, 53-52. OU held UCF to 52 points on 31.3% shooting (21-of-67) - the fewest points by an OU opponent since holding to Wichita State to 48 on Dec. 8, 2018. UCF shot just 25.0% in the second half (8-of-32), including 1-of-8 from 3-point range.
• The Sooners grinded out the win despite shooting 21-of-65 (32.3%) from the field - the lowest field goal percentage in a win during the Lon Kruger era.
• The Knights led by as many as 12 points – marking the largest deficit OU has overcome in a win this season.
• Junior forward Brady Manek led the Sooners with his second double-double of the season, scoring 13 points to go with 10 boards and two blocks. Senior forward Kristian Doolittle chipped in 12 points and eight boards.
• Oklahoma boasts three of the top eight scorers in the Big 12. Kristian Doolittle (16.7 points per game) is fourth in the league, followed closely by Austin Reaves (16.6 points) in fifth. Not far behind the duo is teammate Brady Manek, averaging 14.1 points, good for eighth in the league.
• Oklahoma is one of only three major conference teams with two players averaging at least 16 points. The Sooners are also one of three major-conference schools with three players scoring at least 14 points per game.
• OU leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage, making 78.3% of its shots from the foul stripe. The Sooners, who shot free throws at a 69.7% rate in 2018-19, rank 16th in the country in 2019-20. Kentucky (78.5%) is the only major-conference team with a better free throw percentage.
• The Sooners are turning the ball over just 9.8 times per game, which ranks second in the nation. Only Notre Dame (9.7) is turning the ball over less.
• Kristian Doolittle continues to evolve his range an confidence behind the 3-point line. After going 0-of-4 from 3-point range all of 2018-19, Doolittle is shooting 12-of-21 (57.1%) from deep this season.
• Brady Manek has combined for eight blocked shots and nine 3-pointers in his last three games. Manek is the only major-conference player averaging 2.1 3-pointers and 1.4 blocks per game this season.
• Despite being 4-0 at home this season, Oklahoma is yet to lead at halftime inside Lloyd Noble Center.
• Oklahoma's defense has been buckling down in the second half. In OU's eight wins, opponents are shooting 37.7% from the field and 27.8% from 3-point range in the second half. In the final eight minutes of OU victories, opponents are 9-of-43 (.209) from behind the arc.
• Oklahoma was the only Big 12 team to claim three wins over teams from a major conference in November.
• The Sooners' four wins away from home this season (three neutral-site, one true road) are the most in the Big 12.
• Oklahoma is 30-5 in games played in November and December since the start of the 2017-18 season.
• The Sooners have won 16 straight home non-conference matchups (14 straight at Lloyd Noble Center). OU's last non-conference home loss came in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge to Florida on Jan. 28, 2017.
• Oklahoma has won 140 of its last 147 non-conference games in Norman and is 48-4 at Lloyd Noble Center against non-conference opponents under Kruger.
• Oklahoma was the only school in the country with a win over a team from every major conference during 2018-19.
• Dating back to last season, Doolittle has registered seven double-doubles in his last 19 gamees, highlighted by 24 points and 11 rebounds against Kansas on March 5, 19 points with 15 boards versus Ole Miss in the NCAA Tournament on March 22, 19 points with 16 rebounds against Oregon State on Nov. 12 and 21 points with 15 rebounds at Creighton on Dec. 17.
• Doolittle went all of last season without a 3-pointer and only attempted four shots from behind the arc. He is 12-of-21 (.571) from deep this season.
• Doolittle is one of only two Big 12 players to earn Big 12 Player of the Week on multiple occasions this season. The senior most recently earned the honor on Dec. 23 by averaging 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in a road game against Creighton and a home win over UCF. He was also given the recognition on Nov. 18 after totaling 19 points, 16 rebounds and four assists against Oregon State.
• The Sooners lead the all-time series, 108-101, and hold a 63-28 lead over the Wildcats in Norman. The Sooners have won four of their last six contests with K-State in Norman.
• Lon Kruger played for Kansas State from 1970-74 and was named the Big Eight Player of the Year in 1973 and 1974. He later coached the Wildcats from 1986-90, racking up an 81-46 (.638) record. Each of his K-State squads qualified for the NCAA Tournament, and the 1988 team was one of the best in the school's history with 24 wins and a trip to the Elite Eight. Kruger's No. 12 hangs in the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum.
The Sooners are coming off a short holiday break and a win over UCF while UTRGV suffered a loss on the road at Texas Tech, a game in which the Vaqueros led the Red Raiders at halftime.
The matchup will tip at 6 p.m. CT
ON THE AIR
• OU's contest with UTRGV will air on the Sooner Radio Network (107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Tune In Radio App) with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry announcing.• Chad McKee, Bryndon Manzer and Jessica Coody will call the action on Fox Sports Oklahoma. Fans with proper cable verification can stream the game through the Fox Sports Go App.
TICKETS
• OU Athletics is offering a "Student for a Day" promotion where can purchase a lower-bowl general admission ticket for sections LN3-LN6 and receive a bonus t-shirt for just $10. Fans can purchase online here or at the Lloyd Noble Center box office on game day.• Traditional tickets start at $10 can purchased at the OU Athletics Ticket Office (800-456-4668) and SoonerSports.com/Tickets. Lloyd Noble Center's north and east ticket windows will open at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
• All students who purchased football season tickets have free access to men's basketball games by scanning their OU student ID. Students who did not purchase football tickets can claim men's basketball season tickets for just $60 on SoonerSports.com/students.
• Single-game student tickets are also available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the student entrance for $5.
IN THE BONUS
• Fans are encouraged to #ArriveSooner to avoid delays into the gates with enhanced screenings. OU's clear bag policy will also be in effect. For more gameday tips at Lloyd Noble Center, visit the LNC's information page.• The Sooner Jr. Kids Zone on the southern side of the concourse will include a face painter and balloon artist.
THREE POINTERS
• Senior forward Kristian Doolittle is coming off his second Big 12 Player of the Week honor of the season. Doolittle led the Sooners to a 1-1 week with averages of 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. He was previously named the Big 12 Player of the Week on Nov. 18 and joins Kansas' Devon Dotson as the only players to earn the honor twice this season. Doolittle played a crucial role in a comeback win over UCF on Saturday by producing 10 points and seven rebounds in the second half. In a road loss at Creighton, Doolittle recorded a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds. Doolittle is leading the Big 12 in scoring during December with 20.8 points and 9.3 rebounds this month.• Monday's game is Lew Hill's first game back at Lloyd Noble Center. An OU assistant coach for six seasons, Hill is now in his fourth season as the head coach at UTRGV. A staple on Kruger's staffs at both UNLV and OU for a combined 12 season, Hill assisted Kruger in making eight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2016 Final Four.
• Lon Kruger began his head coaching career at Texas-Pan American (now UTRGV) in 1982. Kruger inherited a squad that was 5-20 in the year prior to his arrival and helped guide the Broncs to a 20-8 (.714) record in his fourth season (1985-86) at the UTPA helm. The .714 winning percentage by the 1985-86 team is the highest in the program's last 39 years. In his four seasons at Pan American, Kruger accumulated a 52-59 (.468) record before taking a job at his alma mater, Kansas State, in 1986. Kruger was inducted into UTRGV's Athletics Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor in the fall of 2018.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST UTRGV
• Oklahoma is 5-0 all-time against UTRGV, although the first four games were against the University of Texas-Pan American, which was consolidated into UTRGV in 2015. The Sooners opened the 2018-19 season on the road at UTRGV, claiming a 91-76 win.• OU is 7-2 all-time against current members of the Western Athletic Conference, with its only two losses coming to Seattle during the 1960s.
• The Vaqueros are in fourth season under head coach Lew Hill, who took the UTRGV job after six years on Lon Kruger's staff at Oklahoma. A staple on Kruger's staffs at both UNLV and OU for a combined 12 season, Hill assisted Kruger in making eight NCAA Tournaments – including the 2016 Final Four. Hill inherited a UTRGV squad that was 8-22 (4-10 in conference) during the season prior to his arrival (2015-16) and has already turned the program around to win 20 games in 2018-19.
• Byron Peak is in his second season as special assistant to the head coach on UTRGV's staff. Peak had spent the previous two seasons as a graduate assistant for the Sooners and was an OU student manager for the three seasons prior to his GA position. His younger brother, Keldon, is a student assistant on OU's strength and conditioning staff.
LOOKING BACK AT OU'S WIN OVER UCF
• Oklahoma enters Monday's contest coming off a 53-52 win over UCF on Dec. 21.• After playing a trio of fast-paced, high-scoring games on the road to open the month, Oklahoma used a defensive battle to knock off UCF, 53-52. OU held UCF to 52 points on 31.3% shooting (21-of-67) - the fewest points by an OU opponent since holding to Wichita State to 48 on Dec. 8, 2018. UCF shot just 25.0% in the second half (8-of-32), including 1-of-8 from 3-point range.
• The Sooners grinded out the win despite shooting 21-of-65 (32.3%) from the field - the lowest field goal percentage in a win during the Lon Kruger era.
• The Knights led by as many as 12 points – marking the largest deficit OU has overcome in a win this season.
• Junior forward Brady Manek led the Sooners with his second double-double of the season, scoring 13 points to go with 10 boards and two blocks. Senior forward Kristian Doolittle chipped in 12 points and eight boards.
QUICK HITS
• The Sooners have won 16 straight home non-conference matchups. OU is 48-4 at Lloyd Noble Center against non-conference opponents under Lon Kruger.• Oklahoma boasts three of the top eight scorers in the Big 12. Kristian Doolittle (16.7 points per game) is fourth in the league, followed closely by Austin Reaves (16.6 points) in fifth. Not far behind the duo is teammate Brady Manek, averaging 14.1 points, good for eighth in the league.
• Oklahoma is one of only three major conference teams with two players averaging at least 16 points. The Sooners are also one of three major-conference schools with three players scoring at least 14 points per game.
• OU leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage, making 78.3% of its shots from the foul stripe. The Sooners, who shot free throws at a 69.7% rate in 2018-19, rank 16th in the country in 2019-20. Kentucky (78.5%) is the only major-conference team with a better free throw percentage.
• The Sooners are turning the ball over just 9.8 times per game, which ranks second in the nation. Only Notre Dame (9.7) is turning the ball over less.
• Kristian Doolittle continues to evolve his range an confidence behind the 3-point line. After going 0-of-4 from 3-point range all of 2018-19, Doolittle is shooting 12-of-21 (57.1%) from deep this season.
• Brady Manek has combined for eight blocked shots and nine 3-pointers in his last three games. Manek is the only major-conference player averaging 2.1 3-pointers and 1.4 blocks per game this season.
• Despite being 4-0 at home this season, Oklahoma is yet to lead at halftime inside Lloyd Noble Center.
• Oklahoma's defense has been buckling down in the second half. In OU's eight wins, opponents are shooting 37.7% from the field and 27.8% from 3-point range in the second half. In the final eight minutes of OU victories, opponents are 9-of-43 (.209) from behind the arc.
• Oklahoma was the only Big 12 team to claim three wins over teams from a major conference in November.
• The Sooners' four wins away from home this season (three neutral-site, one true road) are the most in the Big 12.
NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
• Oklahoma has been dominant in non-conference play in recent seasons, boasting a combined 30-6 record in its last 36 non-league regular-season games. In non-conference play since 2017-18, Oklahoma is 12-5 against major conference schools (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC) and 16-6 in games played away from Norman.• Oklahoma is 30-5 in games played in November and December since the start of the 2017-18 season.
• The Sooners have won 16 straight home non-conference matchups (14 straight at Lloyd Noble Center). OU's last non-conference home loss came in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge to Florida on Jan. 28, 2017.
• Oklahoma has won 140 of its last 147 non-conference games in Norman and is 48-4 at Lloyd Noble Center against non-conference opponents under Kruger.
• Oklahoma was the only school in the country with a win over a team from every major conference during 2018-19.
DOOLITTLE DOOING LOTS
• The only senior on the Sooner roster, forward Kristian Doolittle continues to show progress in his game throughout his career in Norman. Doolittle is the only Big 12 player averaging at least 15 points and eight rebounds with numbers of 16.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals. His 16.7 points per game are the fourth most in the Big 12.• Dating back to last season, Doolittle has registered seven double-doubles in his last 19 gamees, highlighted by 24 points and 11 rebounds against Kansas on March 5, 19 points with 15 boards versus Ole Miss in the NCAA Tournament on March 22, 19 points with 16 rebounds against Oregon State on Nov. 12 and 21 points with 15 rebounds at Creighton on Dec. 17.
• Doolittle went all of last season without a 3-pointer and only attempted four shots from behind the arc. He is 12-of-21 (.571) from deep this season.
• Doolittle is one of only two Big 12 players to earn Big 12 Player of the Week on multiple occasions this season. The senior most recently earned the honor on Dec. 23 by averaging 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in a road game against Creighton and a home win over UCF. He was also given the recognition on Nov. 18 after totaling 19 points, 16 rebounds and four assists against Oregon State.
NEXT UP: KANSAS STATE
• Oklahoma opens conference play when defending Big 12 co-champion Kansas State visits Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday. The noon contest will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.• The Sooners lead the all-time series, 108-101, and hold a 63-28 lead over the Wildcats in Norman. The Sooners have won four of their last six contests with K-State in Norman.
• Lon Kruger played for Kansas State from 1970-74 and was named the Big Eight Player of the Year in 1973 and 1974. He later coached the Wildcats from 1986-90, racking up an 81-46 (.638) record. Each of his K-State squads qualified for the NCAA Tournament, and the 1988 team was one of the best in the school's history with 24 wins and a trip to the Elite Eight. Kruger's No. 12 hangs in the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum.
Players Mentioned
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