Sooners Set to Battle Rebels in ESPN Events Invitational Title Game

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Oklahoma (5-1, 0-0 Big 12) and Ole Miss will compete in the ESPN Events Invitational championship game on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 12:30 p.m. (CT) at State Farm Field House.

Sunday's title game matchup against the Rebels will be broadcast on ESPN with Dave O'Brien, Dick Vitale and Chris Spatola on the call. Fans may also listen on the Sooner Sports Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Varsity Radio App) with Chae McKee and Kevin Henry announcing.

Oklahoma and Ole Miss have met four previous times and have split the series. The Sooners won the last meeting between the two programs, beating the Rebels 95-72 in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

OU advanced to the ESPN Events Invitational championship game after beating Seton Hall 77-64 on Friday night. Grant Sherfield led the Sooners with 25 points. Sam Godwin recorded season highs in points (12) and rebounds (6) in 20-plus minutes of action. Jacob Groves and Jalen Hill recorded 10 points apiece.

The Sooners shot 51.8% (29-56) from the field and 50.0% (10-20) from deep. Oklahoma scored 17 points off 14 Seton Hall turnovers.

ON THE AIR

Sunday's game will be televised on ESPN with Dave O'Brien, Dick Vitale and Chris Spatola on the call. on the call.

The contest is scheduled to tip at 12:30 p.m. CT and will air on the Sooner Sports Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Varsity Radio App) with Chad McKee and Kevin Henry announcing.

SCOUTING THE REBELS

Kermit Davis Jr. is in his fifth year as the Ole Miss head men's basketball coach and has compiled a 70-61 record, including a 6-0 start to open the 2022-23 season. The Rebels beat Stanford (72-68) and Siena (74-62) to advance to the ESPN Events Invitational championship game.
Matthew Murrell leads in the Rebels in points (15.2), minutes (33.2) and assists (3.0) per game. Murrell also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and is second on the team with 12 steals. Amaree Abram adds 12.2 points and 2.3 assists per contest. Jaemyn Brakefield averages 11.0 points and 5.7 boards per game. Myles Burns has recorded a team-high 20 steals. Murrell, Abram, Brakefield and Burns have started all six games.

LAST MEETING: OLE MISS

Oklahoma opened the 2019 NCAA Tournament with a 95-72 victory over Ole Miss. Four players scored at least 18 points and the Sooners earned their 20th victory of the season.
Christian James and Rashard Odomes paced the Sooners with 20 points apiece. Kristian Doolittle finished with a double-double, tallying 19 points and 15 boards. Brady Manek added 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
The Sooners entered halftime with a 17-point advantage (50-33) and recorded a season-high 95 points. Oklahoma shot 57.6% (34-59) from the field and 46.2% (6-13) from deep. OU also finished 21 of 26 from the free throw line.

LAST TIME OUT: Oklahoma 77, Seton Hall 64

Oklahoma outscored Seton Hall by 12 in the second half and secured the 77-64 victory in the semifinals of the ESPN Events Invitational. It was the second victory in an many days for the Sooners.
Grant Sherfield finished 9-for-17 from the field and scored a season-high 25 points. Sam Godwin played a season-best 20:38 off the bench and registered season highs in points (12) and rebounds (6). Jalen Hill and Jacob Groves scored 10 apiece and Milos Uzan dished out a team-high five assists.
The Sooners shot 51.8% (29-56) from the field and it marked the second consecutive game that OU shot 50.0% or greater. Oklahoma knocked down 10 3-pointers and shot a season-best 50.0% from deep. In addition to winning the 3-point battle, the Sooners dominated the paint, scoring 34 points to Seton Hall's 26. OU also recorded 17 points off Pirate turnovers.

VERSUS THE SEC

The Sooners are 9-1 in their last ten games against the SEC. Prior to its loss against Auburn last season, Oklahoma had won its nine previous meetings against the SEC, which included two AP top 15 victories this season and the victory over Ole Miss in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma continues its road swing with the Big 12-BIG EAST Battle on Saturday, Dec. 3 against Villanova at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.