Sooners Fall to San Diego State
Oklahoma saw its 2012-13 season come to a close, falling 70-55 to No. 7 seed San Diego State. Thanks to all of our fans for following our coverage of OU's weekend in Philadelphia. The Sooners will fly back to Norman on Saturday morning.
Recap | Stats | Notes | Quotes | Photos | Highlights Halftime Update - 9:58 p.m.
The Sooners lead San Diego State, 33-31, at halftime of their second round NCAA Tournament game in Philadelphia. Check out the halftime report as well as the OU locker room as the Sooners made their way back for the second half: Halftime Report: Sooners 33, San Diego State 31 Vine: Sooners Exit Locker Room for Second Half
Sooners on the Floor - 8:44 p.m.
The Oklahoma men's basketball team is on the floor with just under two minutes from tip-off. Follow along with the action on TBS or via @SoonerHoops on Twitter. Oh, and check out this video as the Sooners left the locker room: Vine: Sooners Huddle Before Entering Court
Sooners Arrive at the Wells Fargo Center - 8:25 p.m.
We're less than 20 minutes from tip-off here at the Wells Fargo Center (and we finally have internet access). Check out this video of the team getting off the bus and follow the Sooners to the locker room:
Leaving Hotel Soon - 6:14 p.m.
The Sooners are currently watching the Georgetown-Florida Gulf Coast game from the team hotel. If OU wins, it would play the winner of this game in Philadelphia. Oklahoma will depart for the Wells Fargo Center around halftime. Boomer!
Final Shootaround, Final Thoughts - 3:33 p.m.
The Sooners held their final shootaround prior to tonight's NCAA Tournament game against San Diego State (8:20 p.m. CT, TBS). After the workout, we talked to Andrew Fitzgerald, Je'lon Hornbeak and Romero Osby about what's running through their heads as the game rapidly approaches:
Close to Home - 2:32 p.m.
The Sooners just got back from shootaround at The Palestra. We caught up with Andrew Fitzgerald, Sam Grooms and Steven Pledger, who will have plenty of family and friends in attendance:
One Last Shootaround - 12:29 p.m.
We're currently on the bus outside the team hotel waiting to depart for The Palestra for one last shootaround prior to tonight's game vs. San Diego State. Tip time is less than nine hours away...
Scouting San Diego State - 12:02 p.m.
Don't know much about San Diego State? Here's a quick primer. The Aztecs are 22-10 overall and tied for fourth place in the competitive Mountain West Conference (five NCAA Tournament teams) with a 9-7 record. They began the year 11-1 and have gone 11-9 since. Almost unbeatable at home, they were 14-1 on their own court but just 8-9 off of it. This is their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and ninth overall. They own a 2-8 record in the Big Dance with both wins coming two years ago when they advanced to the Sweet 16.
A guard-oriented offensive team, SDSU is led by two-time first-team All-Mountain West selection Jamaal Franklin (above), who is the only player in the nation to lead his team in scoring (16.7 ppg), rebounding (9.5 rpg), assists (3.2 apg) and steals (1.4 spg). The 6-5, 205-pounder has scored at least 20 points nine times on the year and has pulled down at least 10 rebounds on 13 occasions. Franklin ranks 15th nationally (sixth among guards) with his 7.1 free throw attempts per game (shooting .771 at the line). Senior guard Chase Tapley is a third-team All-MWC performer who averages 13.5 points and 2.8 assists. He has made a team-high 66 3-pointers on the year (2.1 per game) and is shooting a team-best .379 from long range. Junior guard Xavier Thames averages 9.8 points per contest, but over the last four outings is averaging 15.3.
Head coach Steve Fisher is in his 14th year at SDSU and owns a 280-170 record there. He coached Michigan to the 1989 national title and led UM to championship game appearances in 1992 and '93.
Rally Behind the Sooners - 11:12 a.m.
Do you believe in the Sooners? Let them know by commenting "I believe!" on our rally post on the Official Facebook Page of the Sooners. Great response so far from the Sooner Nation!
Sooners Working for More - 11:46 p.m.
The Sooners spent today preparing for Friday's second round NCAA Tournament game against San Diego State with a morning practice and evening shootaround. While OU is soaking up its first tournament experience since 2008-09, the Sooners don't want it to end Friday.
"It's kind of weird because it feels like all you've worked for is coming to an end and you get to enjoy it, but at the same time, it's not enough," junior forward Amath M'Baye said. "We want more. We want to be able to win games in these situations and advance as far as possible. We're happy about how far we've gotten, but then again, we want to go further."
Hear more from M'Baye and the Sooners here in Thursday's report:
Behind the Scenes Tour of Phillies' Park - 10:33 p.m.
Thanks to Steve Noworyta, Assistant Director of Player Development for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Oklahoma men's basketball team was able to tour Citizens Bank Park on Thursday. Noworyta is the father of freshman basketball forward Steve Noworyta Jr.
Practice at the Wells Fargo Center - 8:13 p.m.
The Sooners practiced in front of media and fans for around an hour on Thursday evening at the Wells Fargo Center, where they'll square off with San Diego State on Friday night. From meeting Reggie Miller and getting shots up to watching the NCAA Tournament in the locker room, we captured it all in photos. Click here or the photo below to experience the Sooners' Thursday evening.
Friday Night Preview - 6:03 p.m.
No. 10 seed Oklahoma and No. 7 seed San Diego State meet Friday evening at 8:20 p.m. Central. Check out all the notes that you need to know heading into OU's first NCAA Tournament game: No. 10 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 San Diego State Preview
Welcome to Wells Fargo - 5:31 p.m.
Oklahoma is currently at the Wells Fargo Center, site of Friday night's NCAA Tournament second round game against San Diego State. Romero Osby, Amath M'Baye and head coach Lon Kruger took on the podium and met with the media just now, while the Sooners will shoot around for a little under an hour in just a little bit.
Be on the lookout this evening for a behind-the-scenes video from our tour at the ballpark, as well as the latest from the Sooners. In the meantime, here's what OU had to say before leaving Norman:
Sooners Practice at The Palestra - 2:02 p.m.
The Sooners have wrapped up their first on-location practice at The Palestra on the campus
of the University of Pennsylvania and are now back at the team hotel. Click here or the photo below of the "Cathedral of College Basketball" to view pictures from the workout:
Photos of OU's Tour at Phillies' Home - 12:08 p.m.
Check out a complete photo gallery of the Sooners' tour at Citizens Bank Park from a visit to the locker room to a little batting practice. Click here or the photo below to view:
Sooners Tour Citizens Bank Park - 11:53 a.m.
The Sooners just arrived at The Palestra, one of college basketball's most historic arenas. Oklahoma toured the home of the Philadelphia Phillies this morning. Check back in minutes for photos.
Good Night Sooner Nation! - 10:42 p.m.
That's it for us today, Sooner fans. We'll continue bringing you great coverage Thursday as the Sooners tour Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, in the morning before practicing at The Palestra, one of college basketball's most historic arenas.
Player Perspective: James Fraschilla - 9:59 p.m.
Ever wonder what it's like to be a student-athlete and travel to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament? We gave sophomore James Fraschilla a camera today to give you a glimpse. From Buddy Hield singing and dancing to taking off on a Sooner-proud plane, here is how the day went for Oklahoma:
Team Dinner and a Little Hoops - 7:06 p.m.
After taking a little time to relax, the Sooners have gathered for team dinner at the hotel. OU was treated to a wealth of options including hamburgers, spaghetti, Philly soft pretzels, french fries, fruit, soup and more. Below, you can see the Sooners checking out tonight's NCAA Tournament first round game between LIU Brooklyn and James Madison while eating:
Photos of Sooners Traveling to Philly - 6:51 p.m.
The Sooners encountered great fan support at the Lloyd Noble Center prior to heading to Philadelphia earlier today. Want to know what that sign says? Click here or the photo below to view a photo gallery of OU's travels on Wednesday:
Sooners Settle In - 6:16 p.m.
The Oklahoma men's basketball team has ventured the 1,400 miles northeast and arrived at the team hotel in downtown Philadelphia. Players have a little bit of free time to relax in their rooms before getting back together for a team dinner and a film session. Meanwhile, keep on the lookout for photos and videos from today.
Only ONE Oklahoma! - 2:48 p.m.
Led by the band, the inside of the Sooners' plane during takeoff was similar to Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before kickoff with "ones" in the air. As the plane picked up speed, so did the "OOOOOOs" and once the wheels were off the ground the "UUUUs" followed. It might've been a little quieter than the kickoff experience at Owen Field, but cool nonetheless:
We're currently above the clouds heading east to Philadelphia. Look out later for a photo gallery from the day, video content and more.
Headed for the Airport - 12:59 p.m.
Updating live from I-35 North, the Sooners are en route to the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City to depart for Philadelphia, Pa. Three different buses are carrying band/spirit members, staff and of course, the team. Thanks to all the Sooner fans who came out to the Lloyd Noble Center to send us off! Check back this evening for a photo gallery and behind-the-scenes video, including via James Fraschilla who is operating one of our cameras.
Team Send-Off on Wednesday
The University of Oklahoma men's basketball team has set its travel schedule for the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament, and fans are encouraged to wish the Sooners well as they depart Lloyd Noble Center for Philadelphia, Pa., Wednesday afternoon.
The OU Athletics Department invites fans to the parking lot area above Lloyd Noble Center's south ramp (between practice gyms) for Wednesday's send-off. The team is scheduled to depart the parking lot at 12:45 p.m.
The South Region's No. 10 seed, the Sooners (20-11) play No. 7 seed San Diego State (22-10) on Friday at approximately 8:20 p.m. CT at Wells Fargo Arena. The game will be televised on TBS.
If OU beats the Aztecs it will face No. 2 seed Georgetown or No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday (time TBA).
Official Guide
Oklahoma earned its 27th NCAA Tournament berth after a 20-11 regular season, also marking the 27th time the Sooners have reached the 20-win milestone. Click here for a PDF of the official postseason guide by OU Athletics Communications with tons of information regarding the opening weekend of the tournament, or use the interactive version below:
Tournament
Coverage
SoonerSports.com is your official NCAA Tournament source with daily updates direct from team headquarters in Philadelphia. OU Athletics Assistant Director of Digital Media Andrew Lentz and Media Relations Director Mike Houck will post daily reports, video, photo galleries and features from team headquarters in Philadelphia.
No. 10 seed Oklahoma (20-11) meets No. 7 seed San Diego State (22-10) of the Mountain West Conference in the second round of the NCAA Tournament South Regional in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday, March 22 (8:20 p.m. CT, TBS). It marks OU's 27th overall NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2008-09.
