Nebraska Omaha @ Oklahoma preview

Nebraska Omaha at Oklahoma

Coming off a dismal 11-20 campaign and mixed results in the preseason, Oklahoma is anxious to see how its young team will perform when it opens the season at home Sunday against Omaha. The visiting Mavericks are looking to bounce back from an 89-80 overtime loss to Montana State in their season opener on Friday.

The Sooners were wrecked by graduation and injuries as they struggled to 11 wins a season after reaching the Final Four. A talented recruiting class gives them hope for a rebound, but a 99-84 loss to UT Arlington and a 114-78 triumph over East Central in the preseason sent mixed messages. “I just want to see continued progress,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger told the Norman (Okla.) Transcript. “We haven't really played a team that's super physical at this point, in the scrimmages or exhibition games. We'll play teams with more size here soon, but right now, we're just worried about getting a few things better. Talking more defensively, maintaining good position, all those things that you do during the preseason.” Omaha returns seven letter-winners from last year’s 18-14 squad, which finished third in the Summit League for the second consecutive season and lost 79-77 to South Dakota State in the championship game of the conference tournament.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FSN Oklahoma, Fox College Sports Central

ABOUT OMAHA (0-1): The Mavericks returned a pair of double-digit scorers from last season in forward Mitch Hahn (11.7 points) and guard Zach Jackson (10.8), but it was senior guard Daniel Norl who carried them in the opener. Norl posted career highs for points (29) and rebounds (nine) on Friday, while Hahn and Jackson added 12 points apiece. The Mavericks need to cut down on their turnovers to be successful, as they committed 18 against Montana State while dishing out only seven assists.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (2016-17: 11-20): The Sooners showed a glimpse of their potential in their final exhibition game, albeit against an overmatched opponent, as five players scored in double figures in an impressive shooting performance. Home-grown talent Trae Young, a McDonald’s All-America guard from just up the road at Norman North High School, led the way with 23 points and teams with sophomore Kameron McGusty, who averaged 10.9 points a season ago, to form a dynamic backcourt. Another freshman, 6-9 forward Brady Manek, also is expected to start for the Sooners.

TIP-INS

1. Oklahoma has won 14 straight season openers and hasn’t opened a campaign with a home loss since 1993.

2. If Young starts, he will be the first Norman native to do so for the Sooners since Steve Ayer in 1967-68.

3. Omaha has had at least one player score 20 or more points in 17 of its last 18 games.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 91, Omaha 79