NORMAN - It’s basketball time in Oklahoma. The Sooners hit the Lloyd Noble Center floor for their only official exhibition game of the 2018 preseason on Thursday against Pittsburg State at 7 p.m. CT. The exhibition contest gives many fans their first glimpse at the 2018-19 squad with all tickets for the game priced at only $5.
ON THE AIR
Thursday’s exhibition contest will air on the Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM “The Franchise” in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa) with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry announcing. The game will be streamed online by SoonerSports.TV with Chad McKee, Bryndon Manzer and Jessica Coody calling the action.
TICKETS
All tickets for the game are just $5. Tickets are available at the OU Athletics Ticket Office (800-456-4668) and online here. Lloyd Noble Center’s north and east ticket windows will open at 5:30 p.m. on Thurssday. OU students will be admitted free to the game with a valid school I.D.
IN THE BONUS
• The OU Bookstore is offering season ticket holders an opportunity to save on Sooner gear heading into the holiday season. Season ticket holders will receive a coupon for up to 30% off of a purchase. Between OU’s first three games (Pittsburg State on Nov. 1, Wofford on Nov. 18 and North Texas on Nov. 27), fans can build up their discount, starting with 10% off for attending one game, 20% off for attending two games and 30% off for attending all three. Coupons will be sent in early December.
• OU students with student season tickets can pick up their free BoomSquad t-shirt upon entering the north student entrance.
• Fans are encouraged to #ArriveSooner to avoid delays into the gates with enhanced screenings. For more gameday tips at Lloyd Noble Center, visit the LNC’s information page.
• Beer will not be offered at Thursday’s exhibition, but sales are expected to begin at Lloyd Noble Center beginning with the women’s basketball season opener on Nov. 9.
THREE POINTERS
• The Sooners will show off the oldest roster in the Big 12, with an average roster age of 21.1 years old. Oklahoma was one of the youngest teams in the league the past two seasons, but now features eight seniors/graduates (only one senior in 2017-18).
• Thursday’s exhibition will be the Crimson and Cream debut for four Sooner newcomers. Graduate transfer guards Aaron Calixte and Miles Reynolds aim to make an immediate impact for the Sooners in their one and only season at Oklahoma. Calixte comets to Norman from Maine where he accumulated over 1,100 points in 97 games with the Black Bears. Reynolds joins OU from Pacific and brings 2017-18 averages of 13.3 points and 2.8 assists. The grad transfers are joined on the OU roster by JUCO transfer big man Kur Kuath and freshman guard Jamal Bieniemy. A lengthy shot-blocker, Kuath spent his last two seasons at Salt Lake Community College, accumulating 117 blocks in 33 games last season while averaging 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. A combo guard out of Katy, Texas, Bieniemy put together averages of 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists in his senior year of high school.
• Following his collegiate career at Kansas State and one year of professional play overseas, Lon Kruger began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Pittsburg State in 1976. Kruger was on the Gorillas’ coaching staff for one season, helping lead PSU to a 15-12 record. At the conclusion of his lone season in Pittsburg, Kruger returned to Kansas State as an assistant coach. He remained an assistant at K-State until 1982, when he received his first head coaching position at UT-Pan American (now known as UTRGV). The Sooners open the regular season at UTRGV on Nov. 9.
