Friday, Oct. 12 Oklahoma has a lot of athletic bodies, and the Sooners will get out and guard people. Kelvin Sampson's teams have always been able to shoot the ball, but the question is, with all of the new parts, will Oklahoma be able to jell together quickly on the offensive end and shoot the ball consistently from the perimeter? Inside, Aaron McGhee is a big-time lefty post scorer who needs only to rebound with the same passion he reserves for scoring. Johnnie Gilbert, Daryan Selvy and newcomer Jabhari Brown are all gifted athletes with upsides, and Brown has the chance to be an immediate impact upon the Big 12. Hollis Price, still coming back from a torn triceps muscle in the NCAA Tournament, will have to score from the two-guard position and blend in with JC scoring machines Ebi Ere and Jason Detrick. Oklahoma could be outstanding team if the pieces come together.

19
Oklahoma
LAST SEASON: 26-7
2001 FINAL RANKING
ESPN/USA Today: No. 19

Why No. 19?
The Sooners will be one of those late-blooming teams that will be a dangerous out in the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma is relying heavily on junior college transfers on the wings and once they get accustomed to the system they'll make Oklahoma even tougher to defend. Getting Jabahri Brown inside will be an even bigger challenge for teams to try and contain the inside game once he's eligible in December. Oklahoma has flamed out in March but this looks like a season when the Sooners actually be better later in the season.

Will Rise If ...
The Sooners newcomers Ebi Ere and Jason Detrick are as good as advertised. Kelvin Sampson is confident that these two wings and Hollis Price give the Sooners as good a threesome on the perimeter as they've had in Norman. The Sooners could have one of the toughest and most productive frontcourts too once Jabahri Brown is eligible. If he duplicates what he did at the World University Games, then the Sooners have a legit shot to challenge for the Big 12 title.

Will Fall If ...
Oklahoma can struggle to score at times and if Aaron McGhee doesn't get help from Brown, Daryan Selvy and Jozsef Szendrei then the Sooners will be in trouble. They've got to be more balanced this season, especially on the offensive backboard.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big 12 coach's take on the Sooners

“

From a defensive standpoint, three areas always try to focus on not giving up easy transition baskets, take away good looks from the 3-point line and keeping them off the free-throw line. They rely so much on the 3-point shot and always an excellent free-throw line. Don't give them cheap points, transition or open shots. When we've been able to do that we've been extremely successful against them. Oklahoma throws a lot of things at you offensively but once get them in the halfcourt they're easier to beat. Try to start initial offense. They're very good screeners and we try to adjust some of the things they try to do with their screen angles and the way we try to play. When our guys are listened we've been successful against them. ”

2001-02 OKLAHOMA ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(20) Richard Ainooson	Jr.	G	6-3/185	PTS: 0.7 | AST: 0.4
(21) Jabahri Brown	So.	C	6-10/210	Won't be eligible until Dec.; But transfer from Fla. Int. will contribute down stretch
(5) Jason Detrick	Jr.	G	6-5/210	Another junior college newcomer who'll shoot it
(2) Ebi Ere	Jr.	G	6-5/215	Big-time talent from JUCO ranks has great size and will score the basketball
Johnnie Gilbert	So.	F	6-8/230	PTS: 2.3 | REB: 4.3 | FG%: 52.3
(15) Matt Gipson	Fr.	G/F	6-9/205	May not be quite ready to step into rotation, but will be good in time
(12) Blake Johnston	Fr.	G	6-1/180	Redshirted last season to be ready to backup White at point
(13) Aaron McGhee	Sr.	F	6-8/250	PTS: 12.9 | REB: 4.8 | FG%: 46.0
(10) Hollis Price	Jr.	G	6-1/165	PTS: 11.8 | AST: 4.7 | 3PT%: 34.2
(24) Daryan Selvy	Sr.	F	6-6/215	PTS: 6.9 | REB: 5.2 | FG%: 45.9
(42) Jozsef Szendrei	Jr.	C	6-9/240	PTS: 4.0 | REB: 4.0 | FG% 60.0
(4) Quannas White	Jr.	G	6-1/190	Brought aboard to run similar offense as one he played in JUCO ranks
Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson (156-69, 7 years; Overall: 332-217, 17 years) Assistant Coaches: Ray Lopes, Jim Shaw, Bennie Seltzer Home Court: Lloyd Noble Center (12,000); Norman, Okla.

2001-02 OKLAHOMA SCHEDULE

November 12: Central Conn. (a) 14: TBD (a) 21: TBD (b) 23: TBD (b) 28: C. Michigan 30: at Arkansas

December 5: St. Bonaventure 8: La. Tech 15: High Point 16: Behune Cookman 18: E. Illinois 21: Maryland 29: Texas Southern (c)

January 5: Texas A&M 7: at Connecticut 12: Texas Tech 16: at Nebraska 19: at Kansas 21: Missouri 26: at Texas Tech 30: Oklahoma St.

February 2: at Texas 6: Baylor 9: at Texas A&M 13: at Okla. St. 16: Kansas St. 19: at Baylor 23: Texas 26: Iowa State

March 2: at Colorado 7: Big 12 Tournament