Feb. 25
When you look at the basketball scene across America, it's obvious that Arizona and Kentucky are heading for No. 1 seeds in the Big Dance. Both Wildcats teams have played well offensively and defensively, and each has a wealth of depth. Lute Olson and Tubby Smith sport championship rings already, so you know they know how to win.

Another team making a run at the Final Four is Oklahoma. We know how invincible the Sooners are at home -- they boast a 36-game win streak in Norman. Coach Kelvin Sampson's club was up 59-27 on Kansas, and that's not a CYO team, folks. The Jayhawks made a gallant run, but the bottom line was the Sooners had too much.

	Hollis Price has provided a spark for OU this season.

Want to talk about a clutch player? Simply mention Hollis Price, who has an underrated backcourt mate in Quannas White. White executes Sampson's multifaceted offense and also does a solid job on defense.

If the Sooners get great rebounding and shot-blocking production from Jabahri Brown, watch out. Brown was outstanding early against Kansas, really setting the tone. OU becomes difficult to deal with when he's playing a strong game.

The Sooners also have a wing scorer in Ebi Ere, who was a pivotal player in last season's run to the Final Four. Diaper dandy Kevin Bookout has become very strong in the low post, providing both scoring and rebounding.

But no doubt about it, the team's strength is the play of Hollis Price.

Oklahoma made a run to the Final Four last year but finished just short of the prize. This year's squad has some of the same ingredients defending national champion Maryland enjoyed in '02. Can Price be like Juan Dixon last year? I believe he can.

Price is automatic at the foul line, though he did see his streak of 36 consecutive made free throws snapped against Kansas. He is a needed leader in crunch time.

Oklahoma can handle the pressure of winning away from its home environment. How teams play away from their own atmosphere is important. Arizona and Kentucky also have shown they can win on a neutral floor.

Many teams are dynamite at home, but when you take them away from their site, where they don't have the fan support behind them to act as a sixth man, it becomes a different story.

Keep an eye on Sampson, one of America's blue-chip coaches. He gets the maximum out of his people and understands the value of defense, rebounding and shot selection, just like Olson and Smith. When teams execute in those three phases of the game, they always have a chance to succeed and advance in the tournament.

Oklahoma has a great chance to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners simply have to build on the momentum they've enjoyed after wins over Oklahoma State and Kansas last week. The potential is there. They must play hard and do the things Sampson has spelled out for them.