Sooners facing another tough non-conference basketball schedule
OU men's basketball

By John Helsley

Published: July 24, 2008

NORMAN – Jeff Capel hailed last year's challenging non-conference basketball schedule as prep work for the success that followed for Oklahoma.

The Sooners should be tested early again this season.

OU released its slate of non-conference games Wednesday. The Big 12 portion of the schedule is due from the conference today.

In a non-conference schedule that could swell to as many as 15 games, OU faces a potential 11 teams that advanced to postseason play a year ago. The Sooners are assured 13 games outside Big 12 play, with two more possible if they advance in the NIT Season Tip-Off.

Among the feature matchups: Southern Cal and Utah at Lloyd Noble Center; Arkansas and Tulsa on the road, including the latter at the new BOK Center; and an All-College Classic meeting with Capel's former team, Virginia Commonwealth, at the Ford Center.

OU opens the regular season Nov. 14 at home against 2008 NCAA Tournament team American. The Sooners are in line for two home games in the NIT — with Davidson, James Madison and Mississippi Valley State in its regional — playing for a chance to advance to New York City and Madison Square Garden and two more games.

Arizona, Boston College and Purdue are the other NIT regional hosts.

"This is another very challenging set of non-league games that we will approach as a great opportunity,” Capel said in a statement issued by the university. "We played a difficult non-conference schedule last year that prepared us well for a successful Big 12 season.

"This year's non-conference schedule will do the same.”

The Sooners went 13-4 in non-conference play during the regular season a year ago, spurring them to a 23-12 overall mark and a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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