INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 31-5; 13-3 in Big 12 (2nd) Postseason: Lost to Indiana 73-64 in NCAA national semifinals. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Price 16.5 Rebs: Ere 5.8 Assists: White 4.7 FG: Brown 50.4% 3pt: White 40.8% FT: Price 83.8% 01-02 Stats: Oklahoma | Big 12 KEY LOSSES Aaron McGhee | 16.0 ppg Daryan Selvy | 6.7 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Ebi Ere | Senior G | Hollis Price | Senior F | Quannas White | Senior F | Jabahri Brown | Junior F | Kevin Bookout | Fresh Player to Watch Ebi Ere Senior Guard Last year's Big 12 newcomer of year could wind up leading team in scoring. DATE TO REMEMBER Feb. 23 When Kansas went undefeated through the Big 12 a year ago, the Jayhawks didn't have to play in Norman. This year, however, the only meeting between the two teams is at the Lloyd Noble Center. The matchup between the two top teams in the Big 12 will be one not to miss.

 

OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Could there be a better match for the role of Kelvin Sampson's point guard than Hollis Price? He plays hard all the time. He can shoot from the perimeter. He gets into the middle and causes problems. He plays great defense. And, despite being 6-1, he averaged more than three rebounds per game. No, that's about the perfect match for Sampson, the hard-driving Oklahoma coach who likes rebounding and defense a whole lot more than showy offensive moves. After all, Sampson's big into blue-collar. While Sampson's coaching philosophy elicits images of brawny frontcourt players grabbing rebound after rebound, the strength of this Sooners team will be the backcourt. With Price, Ebi Ere and Quannas White, Oklahoma has a strong trio of perimeter players. Price is the guy who can push the ball on the break, but also hit shots from the outside. Ere, who averaged 14.6 points per game last season, is a player who can score inside or out. White had the smallest role of the three last season, but he shot more than 40 percent on 3-pointers. The trio is so strong that the Sooners hoopsters could end up as the best team on campus. Yes, even better than the football team that could play for the national title.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
The biggest reason for optimism about the Sooners is the way they play. With Sampson on the sidelines, there's no question that Oklahoma is going to play hard. The Sooners are simply relentless. They play with great effort or they sit on the bench. They attack rebounds and loose balls. They aren't outworked.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
Does Oklahoma have enough muscle and experience inside? A year ago, forward Aaron McGhee scored 16 points per game and provided some inside-out balance. With McGhee gone, center Jabahri Brown, the most experienced of the Oklahoma big men, is going to have to be more productive. Sampson loves forward Johnnie Gilbert, who was a medical redshirt last season. Freshman Kevin Bookout arrives in Norman with great credentials.

BOTTOM LINE..............................
While Oklahoma isn't as talented as Arizona or Kansas, the Sooners are a legitimate national title contender. In a time when college basketball is so dependent upon good guard play the Sooners have one of the best in Price. Combine that with the experience gained during last season's Final Four run and Sampson's coaching style and there's little reason to believe Oklahoma can't be playing in New Orleans in April.