Oklahoma returns to the hardwood tonight/tomorrow morning in the Great Alaska Shootout. The Sooners are in Pool B and if everything goes to plan should face Washington State in the championship game Saturday night. The first hurdle in Oklahoma's way though is the San Diego Toreros.
2009 Great Alaska Shootout
Wednesday, November 25
Game 1 - Washington State vs. Alaska Anchorage (Pool A) - 7:30 p.m.
Game 2 - Oklahoma vs. San Diego (Pool B) - 9:45 p.m.Thursday, November 26
Game 3 - Nicholls State vs. Alaska Anchorage (Pool A) - 5 p.m.
Game 4 - Houston vs. Oklahoma (Pool B) - 7:30 p.m.Friday, November 27
Game 5 - Nicholls State vs. Washington State (Pool A) - 5 p.m.
Game 6 - Houston vs. San Diego (Pool B) - 7:30 p.m.Saturday, November 28
Game 7 - 5th Place Game (Pool B #3 vs. Pool A #3) - 2 p.m.
Game 8 - 3rd Place Game (Pool B #2 vs. Pool A #2) - 4:30 p.m.
Game 9 - Championship Game (Pool B #1 vs. Pool A #1) 7 p.m.
San Diego plays in the West Coast Conference and has a 2-1 record with wins over Stanford and Point Loma and a loss to Pacific. The Toreros are led in scoring by guards De'Jon Jackson and Brandon Johnson with 17.7 and 14 points per game respectively. Forward Chris Lewis leads the team in rebounds with 5.7 per game to go along with his 9.7 points per game.
San Diego turns the ball over around 16 times per game which hopefully will lead to some fast break points for OU. Oklahoma should also have an advantage in the post where Tiny Gallon can use his body mass against Roberto Mafra who is 55 pounds lighter. Gallon is averaging a double-double for Oklahoma with 12 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 50% from the floor.
Oklahoma has a 4-2 record in the Great Alaska Shootout. Cox Cable, DirecTV and Dish Network are all carrying the game. Our game thread will be up an hour before tip. Right now the tip time is set for 12:45 a.m. CST.