Oklahoma Hosts Ole Miss on Sunday at Lloyd Noble Center

NORMAN – Winners of three straight games, an SEC test now awaits Oklahoma (6-1) at 2 p.m. Sunday when the Sooners play host to Ole Miss (7-1) at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The game will be available via stream on ESPN+ with Toby Rowland and Bryndon Manzer on the call. Brian Brinkley will call the action on the Sooner Radio Network live on 1520 KOKC in Oklahoma.

Sunday afternoon's matchup marks the second game of a four-game homestand in the month of December for the Sooners. One of the marquee showdowns nationally, Sunday's game pits OU's offense (89.9 PPG, 4th NCAA) vs. Ole Miss' top-10 defense that allows just 49.6 points per game.

THE STARTING FIVE

For the second time in as many years under head coach Jennie Baranczyk, the Sooners are 6-1 and just outside of the AP Top 25. The high-powered OU offense has four players averaging double-digit points led by Madi Williams (17.1 PPG) and Skylar Vann (11.6). The Sooners' 89.9 points per game this season are the most through seven games in program history. Oklahoma's 21.4 assists per contest rank fourth nationally and lead to 32 made field goals per game, sixth most in Division I.
Under the leadership of Baranczyk and with a roster that has played over 760 combined college games, Oklahoma was picked third in the preseason Big 12 poll and returns over 90% of its scoring, rebounding and assists from last year's 25-win NCAA Tournament team. The Sooners received the most votes among teams not inside the latest AP Top 25 in the Nov. 28 poll and is ranked No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.
The Sooners are one of the nation's top rebounding teams in 2022, averaging over 43 rebounds per game, 26th most in the country. Oklahoma forces opponents into lots of missed shots and scoops the rebound. The Sooners' 31.9 defensive rebounds per game rank 11th nationally and first in the Big 12. The Sooners pulled down 65 rebounds vs. Northwestern State on Nov. 30, the most for an OU team since 66 vs. SMU in 2005. OU's 47 defensive boards vs. NSU were the most for an OU team since the Big 12 formed in 1995.
Madi Williams has etched her name into the record book in Norman. She ranks inside the top 10 all-time in school history in the following categories: points (8th, 1,967); FGM (6th, 771); FGA (5th, 1,635); rebounds (8th, 851); DREB (T4, 626); double-doubles (7th, 24); double-digit scoring games (4th, 105).
Oklahoma is undefeated (13-0) under Baranczyk when holding opponents under 70 points. On the flip side, the Sooners are 23-2 under her when scoring 80 points or more. Oklahoma's 18-1 record when winning the turnover battle is another key to victory.

SERIES HISTORY

Sunday afternoon's meeting marks the fourth all-time between Oklahoma and Ole Miss, and a Sooner win on Sunday would even the series at two wins apiece. The Rebels have won two straight vs. the Sooners, including a 90-82 upset in the 2007 Sweet 16, the last time the two teams met. Before Ole Miss made the 2022 NCAA Tournament, 2007 marked the program's last appearance.

LAST TIME OUT

Three Sooners posted double-doubles as Oklahoma cruised past Northwestern State, 88-45, in Norman on Wednesday night at Lloyd Noble Center to open a four-game home swing. Madi Williams, Skylar Vann and Aubrey Joens all posted double-digit points and rebounds in the win, becoming the first Sooner trio to tally double-doubles in the same game since Danielle Robinson, Carlee Roethlisberger and Joanna McFarland did so in an NCAA Tournament win over Miami in 2011. In addition, Oklahoma (6-1) grabbed 65 rebounds, outrebounding the Lady Demons by 40 boards, the largest margin since a plus-45 margin vs. Oral Roberts in 2003.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma welcomes Robert Morris to Lloyd Noble Center on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 12 p.m. ESPN+ will carry the game and Brian Brinkley will call the action on the Sooner Radio Network.