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Oklahoma Sooners Undersized team will go a long way
Last season27-7, 12-4 Big 12 (NCAA second round, lost to Purdue)
CoachKelvin Sampson (7th season, 130-62; 306-210 overall)
Projected starting lineupG Hollis Price, 6-1, So.This 170-pound member of the Big 12's all-freshman team is as tough as he is skinny; averaged 5.2 assists over the final nine games.
G J.R. Raymond, 6-2, Jr.
G Nolan Johnson, 6-4, Sr.
F Jameel Heywood, 6-6, Sr.
F Aaron McGhee, 6-8, Jr.
Top guy off the benchC Jozsef Szendrei, 6-9, Jr. Once back from an ACL injury, this Budapest bruiser hopes to play the tough-guy role performed so well by departed Eduardo Najera.
Key gamesvs. Arkansas (Dec. 23). Two wonderful backcourts do battle.vs. Kansas (Jan. 13). OU needs to get through the Jayhawks to win the league. at Oklahoma State (Feb. 14). The Big 12's best rivalry is always good for some fireworks.
OutlookIf college basketball had a height limit, the Sooners might be national championship contenders. The three guards in the starting lineup are backed up by two more very solid players in Tim Heskett and Kelley Newton. Unfortunately, this game also requires a frontcourt, and OU doesn't have a player taller than Szendrei. Along with McGhee and Selvy, he comes from junior college with credentials, but that's all. The fire, not to mention talent, Najera brought to this team is now gone, but there's still enough of both to propel the Sooners to their typical NCAA berth.--Adam Thompson
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