Oklahoma talked a good game before playing Louisville, then got off to a decent start when guard David Godbold hit three 3-pointers at the outset.
But the Sooners, after noting how an upset in the second round of the NCAA Tournament could shape the program under second-year coach Jeff Capel, suffered a 78-48 loss and finished 23-12.
"Getting to the Sweet 16 is big-time for any program, but I think it would be magnified for this program," said Taylor Griffin, a junior forward. "We're kind of coming back into our own after all the stuff that's happened over the years."
A complete comeback will require some additional time. The stuff Griffin alluded to was the NCAA sanctions levied against Oklahoma for illegal phone calls to recruits made by former coach Kelvin Sampson, who also couldn't keep his fingers from doing the walking at Indiana.
Jeff Capel was left to pick up the pieces at Oklahoma and did a nice job in his second season, guiding the Sooners to a fourth-place finish in the Big 12 as they garnered the No. 6 seed in the East Region.
An extended run, however, required a second-round upset, and the Sooners weren't up to that challenge, falling behind Lousville by 20 at halftime. With the departure of Godbold and center Longar Longar, the Sooners must replace two starters, though Capel has demonstrated some savvy on the recruiting trail, especially after landing home-state standout Blake Griffin, the younger brother of Taylor.
The NBA, however, could beckon for Griffin, who injured both knees during the season but was still an All-Big 12 pick capable of taking over games with his toughness underneath.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Could you put up Beau Gerber numbers if you played for OU? 0 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0 apg is pretty weak for having played 10 games. I love OU, but why would you play this guy?
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sweet jeez what is going on with ou? a 12 point half? 45 point games twice in a row?
they are looking like they don't even belong in the ncaa tournament and the cowboys are trying to keep a crazy hot streak going for their bid that seemed 100% impossible 2 weeks ago. heck, making the NIT was questionable. unfortunately, sean sutton has probably somehow saved his job, while jeff
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People, Blake Griffin is good. The only problem is is that he is not great, like you all are making him out to so awesome player. Yeah he can dunk and pull down some boards, but his shooting range 5 feet and closer, he sucks at free-throws. Plus, if you all actually went to the freaking basketball games like I do (I have been to every home game), you would see how lazy this kid i
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Read in the paper this morning that Capel accepted a contract extention through the 2013 - 2014 season !! That is great news ! Come on Willie Warren , next season is going to be fun to watch !!! BOOMER SOONER !
Where's the threads? Man, I am from OK and was looking for some OU loving here and didn't see one single thread. I have barely followed OU Bball because I get no games out west. Looks like OU has a few quality wins but not too many people in the media have confidence in OU v. St. Joe's. Anway, I just thought there would be some fans resenting those "expert" picks. Go Sooners! Do somethin
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There's a conference vote off on the thread below and the Big 12 is about to be voted off. Cast your vote and at least get the sorry a$$ Big 10 off of the board before the Big12.
I knew the Sooners would play them hard on defense, unlike what they see in their conference, i was worried our guards wouldnt make anything, but theyre playing hard, i knew inside we could attack them, anyway good 1st half SOONERS
