It may have only been exhibition but it was basketball. It may have only been an NAIA team but is was an impressive win. I walked out of Lloyd Noble last night with some questions answered and with a few new ones to ponder.
I wondered how freshman Keith Clark would perform in his Sooner debut. He scored 18 points and grabbed 2 rebounds in 27 minutes.
I wondered how Longar Longar would do as a starter. He posted 15 points and 6 rebounds.
I wondered who would take over as the Sooners scoring leader and go to guy. I still don't have an answer there but there are several good options. Four Sooners scored in double digits led by Clark's 18. Longar had 15, David Godbold had 12 and Taylor Griffin added 10.
This is going to be a team that can score and they will do it by pushing the ball up the floor. Oklahoma only committed 6 turnovers last night and just one in the second half. Considering the fact that this team seemed to be a turnover machine at times last season committing only six in their first exhibition game was a great start.
Here's the key issue that needs to be addressed before Sunday's final exhibition game against Central Missouri, rebounding. The Sooners only out rebounded Oklahoma Christian by one (38-37) which was good enough to beat an NAIA team and honestly will beat some lower Division I schools but will hurt the Sooners in conference.
Bottom line is that the 79-51 win over the Eagles is exactly what the Sooners needed to do in their first game under coach Capel. They shot the ball well (47.1%) and played without Nate Carter.
OU has some minor issues to correct but that is expected after the first exhibition game. If the build off of last night's performance then this will be a fun season to watch.
Loading comments...