In a season where this OU team is expected to potentially struggle, a 20 point win on opening night is something to be very happy about. As is the effort, determination, and quite frankly the appearance of the team actually enjoying playing together which is something Sooner fans rarely if ever saw last year. It's a huge step in the right direction for Coach Capel, this team, and this program even if it was just against Coppin State.
The team was lead by an almost unrecognizable (he's dropped about 50 lbs.) Andrew Fitzgerald who scored 22 points and six rebounds. Steven Pledger and reserve guard Calvin Newell were both second in score with 13 points each. Highly touted fresman Cameron Clark recorded the only double-double gathering 11 points and a game high 11 rebounds in his first ever collegiate game. Cade Davis had just eight points and only took four shots in the game.
Coach Capel's thoughts on the game:
"It feels good to win. I like the way we won. I felt we were together the whole game. Even guys that didn’t play were very into the game, cheering on their teammates. I thought we did some really good things. I thought we shot the ball with a good percentage and really attacked their zone inside-out. We have to get better rebounding the basketball. (Andrew) Fitzgerald has to do a better job for us. At times he was leaving out, and we need him down there on the glass for us.
"I thought our freshmen did a really good job, Cameron (Clark) and Calvin (Newell) specifically. I thought Tyler (Neal) came in and gave us some good minutes. And I thought Nick (Thompson) was good. Kind of did a little bit of everything. Pleased with the win but we know we have a long way to go with a lot of work to do. It feels good to play well and play together."
And here is some brief highlights in case you weren't able to catch the game on Soonersports.com: