Sooners Open Ball Dawgs Classic Against DePaul on Monday

NORMAN – Oklahoma looks for its sixth straight victory to open the season on Monday when it takes on DePaul in the first round of the Ball Dawgs Classic in Henderson, Nev. Ranked No. 9 in the country, the Sooners are off to one of the best starts in program history, setting a school record with five consecutive 30-point victories.

The game will be broadcast on FloCollege, which requires a subscription and air on the Sooner Radio Network (1520 KOKC) with Andrew Himes calling the action.

THE STARTING FIVE

A win on Monday would mark OU's best start (6-0) since the 2010-11 team opened the season 7-0 en route to a 23-12 record and a spot in the Sweet 16. Last year's Oklahoma team opened 5-0 before falling to Princeton in a neutral site matchup in Fort Myers, Fla.
Oklahoma has been one of the most well-rounded teams in the nation and is Division I's only squad to rank in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (92.0 PPG, 8th), rebounding (55.60 RPG, 1st) and FG% defense (28.7%, 2nd). Each of the last two NCAA national champions ranked in the top 15 of each category at the end of the season.
The Sooners have dominated on the glass this season and lead the nation in rebounds per game (55.60) and rebounding margin per game (25.4). Since 2021, OU is 60-12 when winning on the glass.
The Sooners' starting five features three McDonald's All-Americans (Beers, Verhulst, Williams) while OU's remaining two starters include Skylar Vann, the 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year, and Tot, who is a two-time All-Big 12 honoree.
In the latest ESPN bracketology, Oklahoma was tabbed as a No. 3 seed, which would provide hosting duties in the tournament for the second time of the Baranczyk era (2022).

LAST TIME OUT

Senior Skylar Vann scored 15 points and her sister, freshman Zya Vann, added 14 to lead No. 9 Oklahoma to an 88-58 win over UNLV on Friday night. Raegan Beers scored 10 points for the Sooners, who improved to 5-0. Skylar Vann shot 3 for 6 from 3-point range and Oklahoma hit 41.4% (12 of 29) behind the arc. The Sooners limited the Rebels to two field goals in the third quarter and extended a one-point halftime lead to 67-42. In the third quarter, the Rebels shot 2 of 16 with four turnovers.

SERIES HISTORY

Monday's contest is the sixth all-time between Oklahoma and DePaul, but the first since 2018. DePaul leads the series 4-1, and the Blue Demons have won the last four contests.

The Sooners' only win in the series came in 2006.

UP NEXT

The Sooners will face either No. 10 Kansas State or No. 14 Duke on Wednesday afternoon in the Ball Dawgs Classic.

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