University of Oklahoma Athletics
University of Oklahoma
Alabama
Men's Hoops to Host No. 2/2 Alabama for SEC/Big 12 Challenge
January 27, 2023 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN – Oklahoma hosts No. 2/2 Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Saturday's game against the Crimson Tide will be broadcast on ESPN with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes 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 Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry or ESPN Radio with Chris Carlin and Bob Valvano announcing.
In Oklahoma's last contest, C.J. Noland scored a team-high 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Sam Godwin tallied nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks and Jalen Hill added eight points.
The Sooners are 6-3 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge and earned their last victory in the conference clash against then-No. 9 Alabama during the 2020-21 season. OU beat the Crimson Tide 66-61 and capped a three-game winning streak against teams ranked in the AP Top 10.
TICKET PROMOTION
Four tickets can be purchased for $40 for the general public here and will get you free admission to the men's gymnastics meet against Air Force and Illinois at McCasland Field House at 6 p.m. University of Oklahoma students receive free admission to the men's basketball game against Alabama and the first 500 students get a retro inspired OU t-shirt.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Nate Oats has compiled a 79-38 record in four seasons at Alabama. Oats has coached the No. 2/2 Crimson Tide to a 18-2 record and 8-0 mark in SEC play in 2022-23. In UA's last outing, the Crimson Tide earned a hard-fought victory over Mississippi State 66-63. Alabama enters the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on a nine-game winning streak. Its last loss came against then-No. 15 Gonzaga on Dec. 17.
Brandon Miller leads a trio of double-digit scorers and averages a team-high 19.5 points and adds 8.2 rebounds per contest. Miller is shooting 46.4% (123-265) from the field, 45.1% (64-142) from deep and 82.3% (79-96) from the line. Mark Sears adds 14.1 points, 4.1 boards, 2.8 assists and a team-high 1.5 steals per outing. Noah Clowney boasts a team-best 8.5 rebounds and averages 10.1 points per game. Miller, Sears and Bediako have started all 20 games.
Alabama is ranked in the top 10 in eight NCAA DI categories. The Crimson Tide lead the nation in defensive rebounds per game (32.4) and rebounds per game (45.6). UA is second in free throw attempts per game (25.4), third in field goal percentage defense (37.3%), third in 3-point percentage defense (25.9%), third in free throws made (18.4), fifth in 3-point attempts per game (29.6) and ninth in scoring margin (14.4).
LAST MEETING: ALABAMA
Oklahoma knocked off No. 9 Alabama 66-61 despite leading scorer Austin Reaves and starter Alondes Williams out due to COVID-19 protocols.
De'Vion Harmon scored a team-high 18 points, Elijah Harkless added 14 points and Brady Manek tallied 12. At the time, the Sooners became the second team in the past 25 years to beat three top 10 teams in a row following wins over Kansas and Texas. It also was the fourth victory for Oklahoma against a Top 10 team in the month of January.
OU entered the final minute up 63-61 and Harkless hit a difficult turnaround shot with 19 seconds to put OU up four. The Sooners clamped down on defense and provided an equally important stop in the final seconds to secure the win.
THE SEC/BIG 12 CHALLENGE
The Sooners are 6-3 in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge and have wins over Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. OU has faced the Crimson Tide two times in the Challenge and split the meetings. Each school won their home contests. OU played at then-No. 1 Auburn last season and fell to the Tigers 86-68.
RANKING SUMMARY
Oklahoma is ranked in the top 50 in four NCAA Division I categories. OU is 25th in 3-point percentage defense (29.5), 36th field goal percentage (47.7), 49th in fouls per game (15.1) and 49th effective field goal (54.0%).
Tanner Groves is 49th in defensive rebounds per game (6.4) and Grant Sherfield is 51st in free throw percentage (86.3%). Sherfield is second in the Big 12 in free throw percentage, fourth in minutes per game (33:28), fourth in field goals (109), fourth in field goal attempts (257), fifth in total 3-pointers made (47), sixth in points (328) and seventh in points per game (16.4). Groves ranks third in defensive rebounds per game and third in total rebounds (145). Hill is sixth in minutes per game (32:40).
Sherfield is 25th among active NCAA Division I career leaders in assist average (4.70), 257th in scoring average (15.3), 29th in assist to turnover ratio (1.85), 28th in assists (489) and 61st in total points (1,588). The Fort Worth, Texas product is one of 30 DI active men's basketball players with 1,500 points and 300 assists. Groves is 82nd in career rebounds (687).
UP NEXT
The Sooners host Oklahoma State on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.
