July 23, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma vice president for intercollegiate athletics programs and director of athletics Joe Castiglione and head men's basketball coach Jeff Capel announced OU's 2008-09 non-conference schedule today.  The slate guarantees the Sooners 13 out-of-league regular season games and as many as 15.  OU could play as many as 11 contests against teams that advanced to the postseason last year.

The Sooners tip off the regular season Friday, Nov. 14 against 2008 NCAA Tournament participant American before hosting an NIT Season Tip-Off regional Nov. 17 and 18.  If OU wins its two regional games (other teams in its regional bracket include Elite Eight participant Davidson, James Madison and NCAA Tournament participant Mississippi Valley State), it will advance to New York City and Madison Square Garden where it will play two games, potentially against other regional hosts (Arizona, Boston College and Purdue). 

Other featured games include home outings against USC in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series (Dec. 4) and Utah (Dec. 13), road games against Tulsa at the new BOK Center (Dec. 7) and Arkansas (Dec. 30) and an All-College Classic matchup in Oklahoma City against Capel's former school, VCU (Dec. 20). 

"This is another very challenging set of non-league games that we will approach as a great opportunity," said Capel, who coached OU to a 23-12 record last season and is entering his third year in Norman. "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.  We could play as many as eight NCAA Tournament teams from last year if we're fortunate enough to advance to New York in the preseason NIT event.  That's not counting the eight games we'll play against Big 12 teams that made the NCAA Tournament.  Our players are excited for the season."

Other games on OU's pre-conference schedule are home outings against Gardner-Webb (Nov. 22), Maine (Dec. 10), Coppin State (Jan. 3) and Maryland Eastern Shore (Jan. 5).  The Sooners will also play at Rice (Dec. 22).

USC, Arkansas and Coppin State were NCAA Tournament teams last year, VCU participated in the NIT while Tulsa and Utah played in the 16-team College Basketball Invitational (Tulsa won the title).

A pair of home exhibition games against intrastate foes Panhandle State (Nov. 5) and Cameron (Nov. 8) will precede the regular season.

Start times and television information will be released at a later date.

* Teams in NIT Season Tip-Off Norman Regional are Davidson, James Madison and Mississippi Valley State