GAME SPECIFICS
Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
Tip: 7:08 p.m. CST
TV: Sooner Sports Network
Stations: KWTV Ch. 9, Cox 10 (OKC); KQCW Cox 12 (Tulsa); ESPN Full Court
Radio: Sooner Radio Network
Flagship: KOKC 1520 AM (OKC)
Webcast: O-Zone on SoonerSports.com
Series: OU leads 11-0
Scouting Coppin State
Oklahoma saw one streak end Wednesday night but hopefully we'll see another one continue tonight as the Sooners have never lost to the Eagles (11-0). The Eagles are 2-7 on the season this far and should be a perfect target for Oklahoma to vent their frustrations out on after a pathetic performance Wednesday night against Villanova.
Guard Tywain McKee leads the Eagles in several categories, including scoring (21.0 ppg), assists (3.7 apg), steals (1.9 spg), 3-pointers (1.9 makes per game) and free throws (4.9 makes per game). He is also the reigning MEAC Player of the Week after averaging 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals in games against Missouri, La Salle and Iowa. Guard Darryl Roberts averages 9.4 points and 3.2 assists a game and is 14-for-18 at the free throw line on the year. Guard/forward Antwan Harrison averages 9.0 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting a team-high .508 from the field. Forward Robert Pressey contributes 6.2 points and a team-high 5.2 rebounds a game.
What Oklahoma Needs to Do
Young guys like Tony Crocker and Keith Clark along with second year guys Taylor Griffin and Austin Johnson are only going to get better with playing time and that's what these types of games are for. This entire season in an investment in the future of Oklahoma basketball but building confidence tonight could pay immediate dividends for this season.
Oklahoma must protect the ball tonight! Eliminating turnovers will be the key to the Sooners improving this season. The also need to find a shooting rhythm and get their consistency back from the charity stripe. To do that they will need to shoot their way out of the 3-point slump and create opportunities by drawing fouls. That's something Oklahoma should be able to do against Coppin State.
This is a must win game for Oklahoma! Mostly because opportunities like this for are running out as the Sooners are cruising towards conference play.
Official Crimson and Cream Prediction: 88-56, Oklahoma. Boomer Sooner!!!