OU MBB : Sooners Escape Memphis With A Win In Season Opener

The Sooners started their 2015-16 basketball season with a tough road game against Memphis, but it worked out for them in the end as they came out with a 84-78 win over the Tigers. Buddy Hield scored 30 points and three more Sooners scored at least 11 points in a high scoring affair. The Sooners had a tough time matching up against the tough and physical Memphis team, who were led by PF Dedric Lawson. Memphis had 23 offensive rebounds and for a while it seemed like it would be the difference in this game. But Oklahoma seemed to have an answer for Memphis everytime the momentum swung the Tigers way.

A late three pointer by Jordan Woodard sealed the win for Oklahoma. They went 11/26 on three-pointers and shot 42.6% on field goals. They held Memphis to 34.6% on field goals, but they took ten more shots than the Sooners did. Oklahoma had 19 turnovers compared to their 12 and they allowed Memphis a lot of second chances because of their lack of rebounding.

This Oklahoma team has a lot of depth on the back court, something that will give them a big edge moving forward. But if they can't find a way to replace forward TaShawn Thomas defensively, then they will have some problems. C Akolda Manyang should help fill that role when he comes back from injury and may start in front of forward Khadeem Lattin when he does return. The addition of Manyang will definitely be a big boost to the front court presence which is led by senior Ryan Spangler, who had a double double today with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Sooners win over Memphis was it's first win over the program in seven games, which shows just how good of a year it should be for this program. Oklahoma (1-0) will play Mcneese State this Friday at the Lloyd Noble Center in their home opener at 7:00 CT. Their next four games will be at home before traveling to Hawaii to take on a highly ranked Villanova.