The Wildcats are set to play the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time in 23 years and only the second time ever. Kentucky has won both games played against Oklahoma. Everyone is hoping for a Kentucky vs. Washington match-up in round 2 but this young team can’t look past any opponent. They first have to get past the Sooners which tips off at 5:30pm eastern. This game is being aired on ESPN2 and can be heard on the radio by tuning into the Big Blue Sports Network.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
[B]Here are some notes about OU that you might like to know.[/B]
Oklahoma is off to a 3-0 start following home wins over Coppin State (77-57), North Carolina Central (71-63 in overtime) and Texas Southern (82-52).
The Sooners are shooting .457 from the field and .388 from 3-point range while holding opponents to respective .369 and .328 figures.
Seven of OU’s top eight scorers are in their first or second year of Division I basketball. Five of the eight are in their first year.
OU is off to a great start at the foul line with its Big 12-best .806 mark. The team’s top four scorers and seven of its top eight are shooting at least .750 from the stripe. The Sooners own a .897 free throw mark after halftime (35-for-39).
Oklahoma has outrebounded each of its three foes and owns a +10.7 board advantage. It is averaging 12.3 offensive rebounds per game.
OU’s top two scorers are sophomores. Guard Steven Pledger is averaging a team-high 16.7 points while adding 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest. A natural shooting guard, Pledger has started at the point in all three outings. Forward Andrew Fitzgerald scored 22 points in each of the first two games before being held to two Thursday against Texas Southern (made his only field goal attempt). Fitzgerald, who is 27 pounds lighter than last year, adds 6.7 rebounds and a team-high 2.0 steals per game. He’s also shooting a team-best .548 from the field.
After going 3-for-14 from the field and 2-for-9 from 3-point distance in OU’s first two
games (averaged 8.5 points), senior guard Cade Davis erupted for 21 points against
Texas Southern behind 7-of-12 field goal and 6-of-10 3-point shooting. The performance
upped his season scoring average to 12.7 (he’s also averaging 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting .421 from behind the arc).
Junior college transfer Nick Thompson has contributed in several areas, as evidenced by his averages of 6.0 points and team highs of 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists. The 6-9 forward registered seven handouts in each of OU’s first two games.
Freshman guard Calvin Newell has come off the bench to average 9.3 points in 21.7 minutes per contest. Fellow frosh guard Cameron Clark is averaging 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in three starts (he recorded 11 points and 11 boards in his collegiate debut). Clark has yet to commit a turnover in 80 minutes of play.
Freshman forward Tyler Neal is averaging 5.5 points in his two appearances (8.0 minutes per game). The forward is 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 at the foul line.
[B]And here is the Sooners scout on the Wildcats.[/B]
Ranked No. 12 in the AP poll and No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ version, Kentucky enters the week with a 2-0 record. After posting an 88-65 season-opening home win over East Tennessee State on Nov. 12, the Wildcats won 79-48 at Portland on Friday. UK is shooting .513 from the floor, .477 from 3-point range (21-for-44) and .558 from the free throw line (24-for-43). It is holding opponents to .342 field goal and .234 (9-for-37) 3-point marks.
Kentucky’s top three scorers are freshmen. Point guard Brandon Knight, coming off a 21-point game at Portland, is averaging a team high 19.0 points per contest to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He is 6-of-12 from 3-point range. Forward Terrence Jones is
averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 boards per outing (he had 25 points and 12 boards against East Tennessee State) while guard Doron Lamb is contributing 16.5 points (.733 field goal shooting) and 4.0 rebounds in 26.0 minutes off the bench. Junior guards Darius Miller (11.5
points) and DeAndre Liggins (10.0) are also averaging double figures in scoring. Miller adds 8.0 rebounds while Liggins is averaging team-high 4.0 assists.
[B]Although no one should have a problem picking up this game, Nation of Blue will look for a live stream to make available alongside our open chat. We’ll see you in 30 minutes![/B]
GO CATS!
