Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#27 Oklahoma Sooners

Big 12

2003-04: 20-11, 8-8, 7^th

2003-04 postseason: NIT

By Joel Welser

Injuries plagued Kelvin Sampson’s squad last year, but that could help them this season.  A lot of young players saw a lot of minutes and that can only help the depth of the Sooners.  Forward Kevin Bookout should be back at full strength after shoulder surgery sidelined him last year and, with the help of some talented newcomers, this Oklahoma team is back to having high expectations. 

Who’s Out: Jason Detrick was the leading scorer last year in Norman, averaging 11.4 points per contest.  De’Angelo Alexander is transferring to Charlotte after scoring 9.6 points per game as a sophomore.  Detrick’s and Alexander’s absence will leave a hole at the off guard, but returning players Jaison Williams and Lawrence McKenzie should do a solid job filling that need.  Center Jabahri Brown has also run out of eligibility.  The 6-10, 220-pounder averaged 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. 

Who’s In: A couple of junior college transfers are expected to step in immediately and make an impact for Oklahoma.  Power forward Taj Gray could be starting from day one alongside of Kevin Bookout.  Gray will have to fight off Johnnie Gilbert and Larry Turner for the starting gig, but has the talent to do so.  Gray averaged 18.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks as a sophomore at Redlands CC in Oklahoma.  Junior Terrell Everett will see some time in the backcourt.  The shooting guard is solid under the basket and will drive and get to the free throw line consistently.  Longar Longar, a 6-11 center, might be the future of the Sooner’s frontcourt, but with the depth at the position this year, he isn’t likely to see many minutes.  David Godbold and the coach’s son, Kellen Sampson, will provide some depth for the Oklahoma backcourt.

Who to Watch: Point guard Drew Lavender grew up fast last year, running the show for OU as a freshman.  He was the only player to start all 31 games last year.  Lavender wasn’t just asked to be the point guard, but he was asked to score and he didn’t disappoint, scoring 11.3 points and dishing out 3.9 assists per game.  The 5-7, 153 pound Columbus, Ohio product wasn’t very consistent as a freshman.  That isn’t too surprising for a youngster, but he’ll have to do a better a job making smart decisions.  His 2.6 turnovers a game is too high if the Sooners want to go dancing this year.

Projected Conference Rank: Unless the injury bug bites as bad as it did a year ago, the Sooners will be much improved.  With Lavender and Bookout as a nucleus, better days are ahead for Oklahoma.  Missouri and Iowa State will be closing in on OU, but they should secure a 4^th place finish in the Big 12 and a trip back to the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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