THE PREVIEW 2007-08 OU MEN’S

Year-by-Year Records ...... 170 THE PREVIEW THE OPPONENTS Regular Season Events ...... 172 2 7799 Sooners in the AP Poll ...... 174 Year-by-Year Rosters ...... 175 General Information ...... 2 San Francisco/Denver ...... 80 Year-by-Year Results ...... 181 Rosters ...... 3 East Central/Alcorn State ...... 81 Photo Roster ...... 4 Morehead State/USC ...... 82 Schedule ...... 5 TCU/Tulsa ...... 83 MEDIA Season Outlook ...... 6 Stephen F. Austin/Arkansas ...... 84 119797 INFORMATION Preseason Notebook...... 11 Gonzaga/West Virginia ...... 85 Preseason Player Poll...... 12 Rice/Mount St. Mary’s ...... 86 Media Relations Staff ...... 198 Kansas State/Kansas ...... 87 Athletics Directory ...... 199 Texas Tech/Baylor ...... 88 Coverage Guidelines ...... 200 BOOMER SOONER State/Texas A&M ...... 89 Media Outlets ...... 201 1133 Texas/Colorado ...... 90 Radio Coverage ...... 202 Iowa State/Nebraska ...... 91 Television Coverage ...... 203 Storied History ...... 14 Missouri ...... 92 Big 12 Conference ...... 204 Sooner Gameday ...... 16 Big 12 Arenas ...... 93 Big 12 Composite Schedule ...... 205 Lloyd Noble Center ...... 18 Results vs. Big 12 Teams ...... 94 Big 12 Championship Bracket...... 207 Legacy Court ...... 22 OU vs. All Opponents ...... 100 Maps and Directions ...... 208 Athletics Facilities...... 23 National Exposure ...... 24 Postseason Pride ...... 26 THE REVIEW Final Fours ...... 27 110101 Sooner Success ...... 28 Sooner Spirit ...... 30 Season Recap ...... 102 Strength and Conditioning ...... 32 Season Statistics ...... 105 Sports Medicine ...... 33 Season Results ...... 106 Community Outreach ...... 34 Points, Rebounds, Assists ...... 107 The University ...... 35 Game-by-Game Totals ...... 108 Nike is the offi cial footwear, apparel Season Superlatives ...... 109 supplier and sponsor of the University of Big 12 Leaders ...... 111 Oklahoma men’s basketball team. 3399 THE PLAYERS Game Recaps ...... 115 David Godbold...... 40 THE RECORDS MEDIA GUIDE CREDITS Longar Longar ...... 42 112525 The 2007-08 men’s bas- Taylor Griffi n ...... 44 ketball media guide was designed and produced Austin Johnson ...... 46 Individual Records ...... 126 by the OU Athletics Department in Norman, Okla., Keith Clark ...... 48 Team Records ...... 127 using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. Tony Crocker ...... 50 Lloyd Noble Center Records ...... 128 Beau Gerber ...... 52 Career Leaders ...... 129 The guide was printed by OU Printing Services of Ryan Wright ...... 54 Single-Season Leaders ...... 131 Norman and distributed at no cost to the taxpayers Omar Leary ...... 56 Year-by-Year Leaders ...... 133 of the state of Oklahoma. The University of Okla- Cade Davis ...... 57 Yearly Team Stats ...... 136 homa is an equal opportunity institution. Blake Griffi n ...... 58 Big 12 Championship ...... 138 PROJECT COORDINATOR & GUIDE DESIGN Tony Neysmith ...... 59 Postseason Results ...... 141 Mike Houck Dau Jok ...... 60 Postseason Records ...... 142 1,000-Point Scorers ...... 147 COVER DESIGN Single-Game Scoring Highs ...... 154 Scott Matthews 100-Point Games ...... 156 CONTRIBUTORS THE STAFF Double/Triple-Doubles ...... 158 6611 Kellen Coleman, Debbie Copp, Mitch Heckart, Ryan Kasmiersky, Leslie Koch, Meredith Noonan, Phillip Jeff Capel...... 62 Rogers, Sheridan Samples, Kirstin Schmidt Ben Betts ...... 66 THE HISTORY Mark Cline ...... 67 115959 PHOTOGRAPHY Oronde Taliaferro ...... 68 Rich Clarkson, Lisa Hall, Mike Houck, Simon Hurst, Bryan Goodman ...... 69 Sooner Coaches ...... 160 Mark Kraus, Jackson Laizure, Jerry Laizure, ICON Basketball Support Staff...... 70 Facilities Timeline ...... 162 Sports Media, Ty Russell, Thom Kendall/Schwartz- David L. Boren ...... 74 Individual Honors ...... 164 man Sports, Larry W. Smith, Shevaun Williams, Joe Castiglione ...... 75 Sooners in the NBA...... 166 John Williamson, Fayetteville News-Observer, OU Athletics Administration ...... 77 Retired Jerseys ...... 167 Athletics Media Relations Archives, OU Western Head Coaches ...... 78 Letterwinners ...... 168 History Collections, UCLA, USA Basketball

THE 101ST YEAR OF OKLAHOMA BASKETBALL THE PREVIEW GENERAL INFORMATION

OKLAHOMA QUICK FACTS Lloyd Noble Center Location: Norman, Okla. (Capacity: 12,000) Founded: 1890 Enrollment: 29,721 Nickname: Sooners Colors: Crimson and Cream Conference: Big 12 (South) Arena: Lloyd Noble Center (12,000) President: David L. Boren Athletics Director: Joe Castiglione First Year of Basketball: 1907-08 All-Time Record: 1,445-924 (.610) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 24 Final Four Appearances: 4 (1939, 1947, 1988, 2002) NIT Appearances: 7 Regular Season Conference Titles: 13 (1928, 1929, 1939, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1949, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 2005) Conference Tournament Titles: 7 (1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 2001, 2002, 2003) 2006-07 Record: 16-15 overall Big 12 Record: 6-10 (seventh-place tie) Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/5 Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2 Returning Scoring: 61 percent Returning Rebounding: 70 percent Returning Assists: 66 percent

BASKETBALL STAFF Head Coach: Jeff Capel Alma Mater: Duke ’97 Record at Oklahoma: 16-15 (1 year) Career Record: 95-56 (5 years) Career NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 Career NIT Appearances: 1 Assistant Coaches: Ben Betts (Roanoke College ’90), Mark Cline (Wake Forest ’88), Oronde Taliaferro (Wayne State ’94) Director of Basketball Operations: Bryan Goodman (Barat College ’96) Trainer: Alex Brown South Ramp 2007-08 Student Sections Team Physician: Dr. Brock Schnebel (Media Entrance) Strength and Conditioning Coach: Darby Rich Video Coordinator: Dionne Phelps Coach Capel’s Secretary: Renee Forney Offi ce Secretary: Anny Whittle

ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE Local Phone: (405) 325-2424 Toll Free Phone: (800) 456-4668 Address: OU Athletics Ticket Offi ce, 1185 Asp Ave., Norman, OK 73019 E-Mail: [email protected] Director of Ticket Operations: Billy Ray Johnson Associate Directors of Ticket Operations: Bob Cunningham, Amanda Horvath Assistant Ticket Manager: John Mahoney Box Offi ce Manager: Matt Schaeperkoetter Staff Assistants: Betty Arbuckle, Barbara Archer, Cindy Smalley, Sylvia Wharton, David White Intern: Brad Landis

2 OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE • 2007-08 THE PREVIEW ROSTERS

NUMERICAL No. Name Pos. Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown (Last School) 00 Keith Clark* F So. 6-8 240 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Putnam City HS) 1 Ryan Wright F Jr. 6-9 229 Mississauga, Ontario (UCLA) 2 Tony Neysmith G Fr. 6-5 203 Norcross, Ga. (Norcross HS) 4 Dau Jok G So. 6-1 176 Olathe, Kan. (Iowa Central CC) 5 Tony Crocker* G So. 6-6 193 San Antonio, Texas (The Patterson School [N.C.]) 11 Omar Leary G Jr. 5-10 163 Portland, Ore. (Northeastern [Colo.] JC) 15 David Godbold*** G Sr. 6-5 221 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Douglass HS) 20 Austin Johnson** G Jr. 6-3 165 Amarillo, Texas (Palo Duro HS) 23 Blake Griffi n F Fr. 6-10 243 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Oklahoma Christian School) 30 Longar Longar*** C Sr. 6-11 234 Rochester, Minn. (Laurinburg Institute [N.C.]) 32 Taylor Griffi n** F Jr. 6-7 230 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Oklahoma Christian School) 34 Cade Davis G Fr. 6-5 203 Elk City, Okla. (Elk City HS) 45 Beau Gerber* F So. 6-8 224 Winfi eld, Kan. (Winfi eld HS)

ALPHABETICAL No. Name Pos. Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown (Last School) 00 Keith Clark* F So. 6-8 240 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Putnam City HS) 5 Tony Crocker* G So. 6-6 193 San Antonio, Texas (The Patterson School [N.C.]) 34 Cade Davis G Fr. 6-5 203 Elk City, Okla. (Elk City HS) 45 Beau Gerber* F So. 6-8 224 Winfi eld, Kan. (Winfi eld HS) 15 David Godbold*** G Sr. 6-5 221 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Douglass HS) 23 Blake Griffi n F Fr. 6-10 243 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Oklahoma Christian School) 32 Taylor Griffi n** F Jr. 6-7 230 Oklahoma City, Okla. (Oklahoma Christian School) 20 Austin Johnson** G Jr. 6-3 165 Amarillo, Texas (Palo Duro HS) 4 Dau Jok G So. 6-1 176 Olathe, Kan. (Iowa Central CC) 11 Omar Leary G Jr. 5-10 163 Portland, Ore. (Northeastern [Colo.] JC) 30 Longar Longar*** C Sr. 6-11 234 Rochester, Minn. (Laurinburg Institute [N.C.]) 2 Tony Neysmith G Fr. 6-5 203 Norcross, Ga. (Norcross HS) 1 Ryan Wright# F Jr. 6-9 229 Mississauga, Ontario (UCLA)

* Letters earned at Oklahoma # Will sit out the 2007-08 season Oklahoma Staff due to NCAA transfer rules Head Coach: Jeff Capel (Duke ’97); second season at OU Assistant Coaches: Ben Betts (Roanoke College ’90); second season at OU Mark Cline (Wake Forest ’88); second season at OU Oronde Taliaferro (Wayne State ’94, fi rst season at OU) Director of Basketball Operations: Bryan Goodman (Barat College ’96); second season at OU Pronunciation Guide Dau Jok: DOW JOCK Longar Longar: LONG-garr Tony Neysmith: NAY-smith Oronde Taliaferro: o-RON-day tal-uh FAIR-o Junior forward Taylor Griffi n

2007-08 • OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE 3 THE PREVIEW PHOTO ROSTER

00 KEITH CLARK 1 RYAN WRIGHT 2 TONY NEYSMITH 4 DAU JOK 5 TONY CROCKER 6-8, 240, So., Forward 6-9, 229, Jr., Forward 6-5, 203, Fr., Guard 6-1, 176, So., Guard 6-6, 193, So., Guard Oklahoma City, Okla. Mississauga, Ontario Norcross, Ga. Olathe, Kan. San Antonio, Texas

11 OMAR LEARY 15 DAVID GODBOLD 20 AUSTIN JOHNSON 23 30 LONGAR LONGAR 5-10, 163, Jr., Guard 6-5, 221, Sr., Guard 6-3, 165, Jr., Guard 6-10, 243, Fr., Forward 6-11, 234, Sr., Center Portland, Ore. Oklahoma City, Okla. Amarillo, Texas Oklahoma City, Okla. Rochester, Minn.

32 TAYLOR GRIFFIN 34 CADE DAVIS 45 BEAU GERBER 6-7, 230, Jr., Forward 6-5, 203, Fr., Guard 6-8, 224, So., Forward Oklahoma City, Okla. Elk City, Okla. Winfi eld, Kan.

JEFF CAPEL BEN BETTS MARK CLINE ORONDE TALIAFERRO BRYAN GOODMAN Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Director of Operations

4 OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE • 2007-08 THE PREVIEW 2007-08 SCHEDULE

DAY DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME TV Wednesday Oct. 31 ! Rockhurst Norman 7 p.m. Friday Nov. 2 ! Fayetteville State Norman 7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 8 # San Francisco Norman 7 p.m. Friday Nov. 9 # Denver or East Central Norman 4:30 or 7 p.m. Monday Nov. 12 Alcorn State Norman 7 p.m. SSN Thursday Nov. 15 # vs. TBA New York, N.Y. 6 or 8:30 p.m. ESPN2 Friday Nov. 16 # vs. TBA New York, N.Y. 5:30 or 8 p.m. ESPN2 Wednesday Nov. 21 Morehead State Norman 7 p.m. SSN Thursday Nov. 29 $ at USC Los Angeles, Calif. 10 p.m. FSN Sunday Dec. 2 at TCU Fort Worth, Texas 6 p.m. CSTV Wednesday Dec. 5 Tulsa Norman 7 p.m. SSN Saturday Dec. 8 Stephen F. Austin Norman 12:30 p.m. SSN Saturday Dec. 15 Arkansas Norman 2 p.m. ESPN2 Thursday Dec. 20 % vs. Gonzaga Oklahoma City, Okla. 8 p.m. ESPN2 Saturday Dec. 29 vs. West Virginia Charleston, W.Va. 5 p.m. ESPN2 Saturday Jan. 5 Rice Norman 2 p.m. SSN Monday Jan. 7 Mount St. Mary’s Norman TBA Saturday Jan. 12 Kansas State Norman 5 p.m. ESPN Plus Monday Jan. 14 at Kansas Lawrence, Kan. 8 p.m. ESPN Saturday Jan. 19 Texas Tech Norman 3 p.m. ESPN Plus Saturday Jan. 26 at Baylor Waco, Texas 3 p.m. ESPN Plus Monday Jan. 28 Oklahoma State Norman 8 p.m. ESPN Saturday Feb. 2 at Texas A&M College Station, Texas 3 p.m. ESPN Plus Wednesday Feb. 6 Texas Norman 6 p.m. ESPN2 Saturday Feb. 9 at Colorado Boulder, Colo. 3 p.m. ESPNU Wednesday Feb. 13 Iowa State Norman 7 p.m. ESPN Plus Saturday Feb. 16 at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 3 p.m. ESPN Plus Tuesday Feb. 19 Baylor Norman 7 p.m. ESPN Plus Saturday Feb. 23 at Texas Austin, Texas 2:30 p.m. ABC Wednesday Feb. 27 at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7 p.m. Saturday March 1 Texas A&M Norman 1 p.m. ESPN Wednesday March 5 at Oklahoma State Stillwater, Okla. 7 p.m. ESPN Plus Saturday March 8 Missouri Norman 2:30 p.m. ABC Thur.-Sun. March 13-16 at Big 12 Championship Kansas City, Mo. TBA ESPN Plus/ESPN*

! Exhibition # 2K Sports College Hoops Classic $ Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series 2008 NCAA Tournament Dates and Sites % O’Reilly All-College Classic FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDS * Championship game March 20 & 22: Honda Center (Anaheim, Calif.), Pepsi Center (Denver, Colo.), Qwest Center Omaha (Omaha, Neb.), Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.); March 21 & 23: BJCC Arena (Birmingham, Ala.), Alltel Arena (Little Rock, Ark.), Dates and times are subject to change. RBC Center (Raleigh, N.C.), St. Pete Times Forum (St. Petersburg, Fla.) All times are Central. Home games are in bold. REGIONALS ESPN Plus is Big 12 regional television. March 27 & 29: Charlotte Bobcat Arena (Charlotte, N.C.), SSN is Sooner Sports Network. US Airways Center (Phoenix, Ariz.); March 28 & 30: Ford Field (Detroit, Mich.), Reliant Stadium (Houston, Texas) FINAL FOUR April 5 & 7: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)

2007-08 • OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE 5 THE PREVIEW SEASON OUTLOOK

The return of center Longar Longar (left) and the addition of McDonald’s All-American forward Blake Griffi n should help give the Sooners one of the Big 12’s most talented frontcourts in 2007-08.

BBACKACK OONN TTRACKRACK Blend of experienced veterans and talented newcomers generate heavy optimism in Norman as Sooners seek return to NCAA Tournament

The Sooners return 61 percent of their scoring, 70 percent Senior David Godbold (7.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg), junior Austin of their rebounding and 66 percent of their assists from Johnson (7.0 ppg, 2.8 apg) and sophomore Tony eff Capel’s fi rst season as Oklahoma’s basketball a year ago. Seven letterwinners are back, including four Crocker (8.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg) anchor a backcourt that was coach didn’t end the way he or his team hoped it would. players who started at least 22 games. New to the team up and down last year. Practices leading up to the team’s After winning six of their fi rst 10 Big 12 Conference are six players: three freshmen, a junior college transfer, a excursion to Canada indicated overall improvement from games and standing at 15-8 overall, the Sooners lost J transfer from UCLA and a walk-on sophomore guard. the returning guards, although Johnson and Crocker did seven of their fi nal eight contests. Three of those defeats not make the trip due to injuries from which they are came at the hands of teams ranked in the top six nation- Leading the OU charge will be Longar Longar, a 6-11 now recovered. ally, while another came against a No. 19 squad that senior center who is the squad’s top returning scorer and featured the nation’s top player. rebounder. Longar averaged 10.4 points and 7.1 boards Benefi ting from quality playing time in Canada were as a junior while shooting a team-high .553 from the Omar Leary and freshmen Cade Davis and Tony Ney- The result was a 16-15 fi nal record that left the Sooners fi eld. He is a career .587 shooter who also provides a smith. Leary, a fi rst-team junior college All-American out of the postseason for the fi rst time since 1981. The defensive presence in the paint with his length. last year, is a point guard who will battle Johnson for a nation’s longest postseason streak had come to an end. starting spot. He averaged 14.0 points and 6.3 assists a Freshman forward Blake Griffi n, a 6-10 McDonald’s While not a surprise to many preseason prognosticators, game a year ago. Davis, regarded as Oklahoma’s second All-American, is the most heralded of OU’s signees and is including Big 12 coaches (OU was picked to fi nish in ninth best high school player last year behind Blake Griffi n, expected to team with Longar to form one of the more place in the league’s preseason poll), Oklahoma’s inability impressed on the wing in Canada by averaging 11.3 potent starting frontcourts in the league. Griffi n aver- to get over the hump in close games down the stretch points and making a team-high 11 treys over four games. aged 18.8 points and 9.0 boards in less than 20 minutes a left a bitter, long-lasting taste in the mouths of coaches Neysmith was a top-100 national high school player as a game during OU’s August exhibition trip to Canada. and players. senior and averaged 7.0 points and 3.0 assists in Canada. Adding fi repower to the Sooners’ frontline will be junior Vowing to avoid the same position in the future, OU’s Another newcomer, transfer Ryan Wright played the forward Taylor Griffi n (6.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and sophomore returning players dedicated themselves over the summer past two seasons at UCLA, competing in a pair of Final forward Keith Clark (3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg). A top-60 to improving their individual games and returning the Fours. The 6-9 forward will practice with the team this national high school player two years ago, Clark is return- program back to familiar territory come March. season and have two years of eligibility remaining with ing from a knee injury that limited him to 11 games as the start of the 2008-09 campaign. Participating as The coaches did their part, too, by signing a highly a freshman. Taylor Griffi n and Clark are two of the most walk-ons this year will be a pair of sophomores in forward regarded recruiting class that fi lled needs and is expected versatile players on the team — an asset that doesn’t go Beau Gerber and guard Dau Jok. Gerber played in 11 to provide an immediate shot in the arm. unnoticed by Capel and his staff. games last year while Jok is in his fi rst year on the team.

6 OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE • 2007-08 THE PREVIEW SEASON OUTLOOK

to continue to do that. David Godbold showed in spurts what he can do. If he commits himself, he can increase “QUOTING” his scoring average. Tony Crocker is our leading returning scorer on the perimeter and he led us in 3-point percent- age. We look for him to become an even more consistent CCAPELAPEL shooter. And Austin Johnson shot the ball well, especially early in the season and at home. He struggled a little bit the second half of the year as he wore down some from Looking back, what are your thoughts on your fi rst injuries and different things he went through. season as Oklahoma’s basketball head coach? “As far as our newcomers, Cade Davis can shoot the “I thought we did some good things, had some good basketball. Tony Neysmith is good mid-range. He needs moments. Certainly, I thought our guys played hard. We to work on expanding his range, and he’s doing that. He’s were in a very good position at one point within the getting better. Blake Griffi n will be able to create differ- conference at 15-8 overall and 6-4 in the league. From ent scoring opportunities. Blake can drive, he can handle that point on I think we ran out of gas a little bit. I think All of our new guys, with the exception of Omar Leary, it, he can pass it, he can run. Those skills should help him our team got a little mentally fatigued. But we laid a are very good at elevating off the fl oor. They’re all good get open looks, and help his teammates get open looks. pretty good foundation for playing hard and for some of athletes. With that, we should really be able to get out on And Omar Leary shot 45 percent from 3-point range over the things we’ll do defensively this year and in the future. the wings and run. All of our post guys can run. his two years in junior college. So while we lost a couple “Then, having a guy like Omar — a true point guard of good shooters from last year, we feel we’ve got some “I expect us to be better in a lot of areas this year. Having guys who are capable of putting the ball in the basket.” more depth will allow us to have more competition in — will really help us. We also feel very comfortable with practice and allow us to run more. We’ll also be able to the ball in Austin Johnson’s hands. I think A.J.’s better extend our defense more. We were able to do that in when we’re running. Those two guys, along with Tony How big of a benefi t will familiarity of your players spots last year, but not as consistently as I like.” Neysmith, will help with ball handling. Omar and Tony be for you in your second year? will help take some pressure off Austin. When you have to bring the ball up against pressure all game long and “I think that will help. Last year we were all learning You said when you were hired that your teams get into the offense, it really wears you down if you’re each other. When I was hired in April 2006, we had six would play as fast as your personnel would not used to it. I thought that happened to A.J. at times guys who could go through individual workouts. Michael allow you to. Were you able to play as up-tempo as last year.” Neal and Austin Johnson were hurt. And even with those you wanted to last year? six guys, I couldn’t really get to see all of the things they could do. But now, I know our returning players. I’ve seen “No, we weren’t. I thought at times we did, but overall Do you have any concerns regarding this team? them in practice for a year. I know who they are and I we didn’t. There were times when we’d get a defensive know what their strengths are. and I’d be yelling, ‘Run! Go!’ And some of our “Shooting is an area where there might be some players were giving me the hand signal that we need to questions. We lost a good 3-point shooter in Michael “With that said, I’m looking for some change. Hopefully slow it down. We certainly weren’t able to do a lot of the Neal and another senior who shot very well from the they’re different — in a good way — when we start things I like to do. But I think you have to coach your per- fl oor in Nate Carter. Those two guys were experienced, practice. That means they’ve really dedicated themselves sonnel. I’m able to change and we coached our guys last played in a lot of big games and made some big shots. and worked hard on their games. I’m a big believer that year in a way that gave us the best chance to win games. But at the same time we think we have some guys who in order to become good you have to fall in love with If you look at things, we were right there in a lot of games will be able to put the ball in the hole. Longar Longar the process of being good. That’s what I’ve talked about and just couldn’t get over the hump. That’s where added shot a great percentage last year and we look for him with our team since the season ended — the process of depth this year will help. “Last year we couldn’t really practice as much as I wanted or do some of the things I like to do in practice. We were down to nine guys sometimes, counting walk-ons. When you’re preparing for Texas A&M and you have a walk-on David Godbold, who owns a trying to simulate Joseph Jones, it doesn’t give you the .347 career 3-point fi eld goal greatest picture of what you’re trying to do. That’s noth- percentage, leads all current Sooners in games played (88) ing against our walk-ons because I love them and they and started (48). do a great job for us. But added depth will really help us in practice this year. We’ll be able to really get after each other with more bodies — more talented bodies.”

What are some of the team’s strengths? “I think we should be a great rebounding team. With guys like Longar Longar, Taylor Griffi n, Blake Griffi n and Keith Clark on the inside, and David Godbold and Tony Crocker doing well on the boards as guards, rebounding should be an area in which we’re really good. “Also, when you become a good rebounding team, it increases your chances of becoming a good running team. We’ll defi nitely be more athletic than we were.

2007-08 • OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE 7 THE PREVIEW SSEASONEA OUTLOOK

this summer. He’s put on some weight, gotten stronger. This is a big year for him. I think he’ll be better because he’ll be better prepared. He knows what to expect now. I think Taylor Griffi n will be better. He played a lot of minutes last year but was kind of up and down. For guys who haven’t played a lot, that’s to be expected. “Getting Keith Clark back will be big for us. I really thought he was starting to turn the corner when he hurt his knee (in December). He was getting in better shape and was playing very well. And we think Blake Griffi n has the ability to be an impact player for us as a freshman. He’s very talented and we certainly hope he can score the ball for us, but there are so many things he can do. He’s a very good passer and rebounder, and has the chance to be a good defender. So we feel really good about our Taylor Griffi npost guys and the opportunity they have to hopefully Tony Crocker make up one of the best frontcourts in the league.”

Your recruiting class was ranked high nationally. How do you grade your class? “I think we fi lled needs. Blake Griffi n is the most Frontcourt heralded of the group and is one of the best big guys in Backcourt the national class. We were able to sign two other high Longar Longar 6-11 • 234 • Senior • Center school players in Cade Davis and Tony Neysmith who are David Godbold 6-5 • 221 • Senior • Guard Taylor Griffi n 6-7 • 230 • Junior • Forward both good athletes and have a pretty good basketball I.Q. Austin Johnson 6-3 • 165 • Junior • Guard Keith Clark 6-8 • 240 • Sophomore • Forward Cade can really shoot the ball and Tony has a good feel. Omar Leary 5-10 • 163 • Junior • Guard Beau Gerber 6-7 • 224 • Sophomore • Forward All three of the freshmen have the potential to be good Tony Crocker 6-6 • 193 • Sophomore • Guard Blake Griffi n 6-10 • 243 • Freshman • Forward defensive players. Just as important, I hope they can all Dau Jok 6-1 • 176 • Sophomore • Guard Ryan Wright* 6-9 • 229 • Junior • Forward be really good teammates. All three of them have won. Cade Davis 6-5 • 203 • Freshman • Guard Tony Neysmith 6-5 • 203 • Freshman • Guard *Will sit out the season due to transfer rules “We signed a juco point guard in Omar Leary. This is not taking a shot at anyone, but I like having a guy who’s a point guard. That’s what Omar is. He’s not a 2, he’s not becoming a good basketball team. You have to work. You a combo. He’s played point his whole life. Then we also How do you feel about player leadership with this have to work every day, you have to work at a high level bring in Ryan Wright, a transfer who can’t play in games year’s group? and you have to prepare at a high level. If we do that I this year but will be able to practice with us. He’s a big, “That’s an area where we have to improve. The guy with think we have the chance to be pretty good.” athletic guy with experience. the most playing experience on our team is David God- “I feel really good about our class. I’m excited about bold. He’s started off and on since his freshman year and Similarly for the returning players, will their these guys, I think they’re all good players and they all has played in some big games. Our hope is that he and familiarity of you and your system be benefi cial want to be good. They all really want to be at Oklahoma Longar Longar, our other senior, can take this team by the for them? and they’re proud to wear the OU on their chest and horns and guide it. It’s important for any good basketball represent this university.” team to have good player leadership. You have to have it. “I really think so. Hopefully our returning guys will be I expressed the need for it in my conversations with our able to talk to the new guys about the ways we do some players over the summer. I think we have some guys who things — especially defensively and with some of our Is there a possibility that any of the newcomers have the potential to be very good leaders. Blake Griffi n offensive sets. Those will be the same, but hopefully we’ll will redshirt? and Cade Davis could be good in that department. Will be able to play a little bit differently on offense. I hope it happen as freshmen? It absolutely could. It would be “Not right now. All of those guys have an opportunity to we can get out and run more, I hope our motion offense nice because we need that from different guys.” will be better. We really didn’t run a lot of motion the come in and have an impact. It’s about how hard they last month and a half of the season because I don’t think work, how hard they compete. It’s about beating out oth- it really fi t our personnel. We were better when we ran ers. I promise one thing and that’s opportunity. I promise What were your impressions of the Big 12 Confer- sets. But, yes, I think the fact that our returning players that we’re going to work with them and give them every ence your fi rst time through it? know what to expect this year will defi nitely help us.” chance to be successful. It’s about who wants it the most. We’ll have competition in practice now. Last year we “I thought our league was very underrated last year and had some guys who, no matter what they did in practice, was as good as or better than any conference in college How do you feel about your inside game? knew they were going to play. We just didn’t have a lot of basketball. We had three teams that legitimately had a bodies. That shouldn’t be the case this year. These young shot to get to the Final Four in Kansas, Texas and Texas “I think our post guys will be very good. Longar Longar guys are hungry to come in here and have an impact. I A&M. Our league had the most clutch player in Acie Law. has the chance to have a very good senior year. He played think the returning guys are hungry, too. Nobody wants It had the best and most exciting player in Kevin Durant. very well in the last game of his junior year against to go through another 16-15 season. ” I thought we had the best games in college basketball, Kansas and he had some great moments at various with the Texas at OSU game, Texas at Kansas, Texas A&M points of the season. The thing we’ve talked to him about at Kansas, Texas A&M at Texas. And we played in some is being more consistent. I like the way he worked hard really good games against Texas Tech and Kansas here

8 OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE • 2007-08 THE PREVIEW SEASON OUTLOOK in Norman. There were so many great games in our which will be a very challenging game. Bob Huggins is league. We had four teams make the NCAA Tournament the new coach for a team that won 27 games and the Leading Returnees and it should have been fi ve. I’ve always been impressed postseason NIT last year. by Category with the league from afar, but having the chance to “We don’t know our All-College opponent yet, but that go through it, see some of the venues and see the fan will be a tough game. That’s an event that excites us Scoring support, it’s a very good league with very good coaches every year. We also will play in the Coaches vs. Cancer Longar Longar 10.4 and really talented players. Hopefully we start to get the tournament early in the season. We’ll play two home Tony Crocker 8.6 respect on a national level that we deserve as one of the games against what are right now unknown opponents. David Godbold 7.4 premier conferences in college basketball.” If we’re fortunate enough to win those two games, we Austin Johnson 7.0 will go to Madison Square Garden to play two games Taylor Griffi n 6.3 How has new assistant coach Oronde Taliaferro against potential opponents Connecticut, Kentucky and adapted to the program? Memphis. We also play Tulsa at home and we play at TCU, Rebounding as well as face some other quality opponents. Longar Longar 7.1 “Oronde is going to be great for us. He hit the ground Taylor Griffi n 5.2 running in terms of recruiting and getting to know our “We’re going to be challenged very early. We’ve got a David Godbold 4.6 guys. I think he’s going to be a great ambassador for the lot of new players and we’re going to have to do a lot of Tony Crocker 3.7 University of Oklahoma and for our basketball program. growing up quickly.” With his connections in college basketball, as well as high Percentage school and AAU, I think he’s going to have a big impact Your wife gave birth to your fi rst child in April. Longar Longar .553 for us. Plus, he fi ts with our staff so well. Losing a coach How diffi cult is it to balance work responsibilities Tony Crocker .450 like Rod Barnes is a big blow, but we offset it with the hir- with the huge task of raising a daughter at home? ing of Oronde. Oronde and Rod are different, but they’re Keith Clark .424 equally good. Oronde will bring a lot to our program.” “You know, it’s not really that hard. Luckily for me, I have an amazing wife who understands my work responsibili- 3-Point Field Goal Percentage ties. She grew up in a similar situation where her father Tony Crocker .357 What are your thoughts on this year’s non-confer- was an attorney and was involved in politics. She knows Austin Johnson .346 ence schedule? about time commitments with her career as well, also David Godbold .336 “We have a very, very challenging schedule. We have a being an attorney. So she understands what I do and that makes it easy. 3-Pointers Per Game chance to play against six high-major teams, with one of David Godbold 1.4 those games being at home. We start a four-year deal “I will say that things are a little different now, though. Austin Johnson 1.2 with Arkansas by hosting them this year. They made When I go on the road, I’m a little more excited about Tony Crocker 1.1 a coaching change, but it’s a program that has made getting back to see our daughter. I like watching her back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and will be grow and I don’t like to miss anything. When I’m gone, Percentage one of the most talented teams in the SEC. They return my wife has to send me pictures of our daughter every Austin Johnson .926 all of their starters from last year’s team. We start the Big day or let me listen to her cry on the phone. It’s not really Tony Crocker .741 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series this year on the road against an adjustment with my job, as much as it’s an adjustment David Godbold .725 a very, very talented USC team. They’re coming off an with my life. It’s an incredible blessing and the most NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and bring in a great recruit- amazing thing that’s ever happened to me.” Assists ing class headlined by O.J. Mayo. We play at West Virginia, Austin Johnson 2.8 Tony Crocker 1.8 David Godbold 1.7

Blocked Shots Longar Longar 1.4 Taylor Griffi n 0.9 David Godbold 0.6

Steals David Godbold 1.3 Tony Crocker 0.8 Austin Johnson 0.8

Minutes Austin Johnson was OU’s David Godbold 27.9 leader in assists last season Longar Longar 26.2 and shot .441 from 3-point Austin Johnson 23.6 range in home games. Taylor Griffi n 23.4 Tony Crocker 23.3 Keith Clark 12.2 Beau Gerber 3.5

2007-08 • OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE 9 THE PREVIEW SEASON OUTLOOK CCapel’sapel’s PPlayer-by-Playerlayer-by-Player CCommentsomments

David Godbold (Senior, Guard) be a great practice player and a very hard worker. He Beau Gerber (Sophomore, Forward) “David’s been a constant in this program for three years, really wants to be good and because of that I think he’ll “Beau is a guy I love. He’s one of my favorites. He’s one kind of a utility guy who does a little of everything. He be a very good listener. He has a great body, is strong of the hardest workers on our team and he’s a great usually guards the other team’s best perimeter player. and comes from an environment of winning. Hopefully teammate. He will do anything asked of him. He loves I think he has the potential to be better offensively. the experiences he’s already had in college will rub off being at the University of Oklahoma and he’s a young That’s something he has to work at, though, and he has and help our program. I think he also has a chance to man who can really help us. I have no reservations to become more assertive. Not just as a player, but as a be a good leader.” about putting him in a game. He knows all of our stuff, leader. He’s the most experienced player we have and he knows how we do things. He’s a great communica- the team will lean on that experience.” Keith Clark (Sophomore, Forward) tor and is more or less what you want all your players “Moose is very talented. It’s going to be interesting to be like.” Longar Longar (Senior, Center) to see how he recovers from his knee injury. I have no “He had a good year last season and showed some doubt that he will be 100 percent — and maybe even Dau Jok (Sophomore, Guard) good signs. We’re expecting big things from Longar better — physically. But anytime someone suffers an “We’re excited to have Dau become a member of the and I think he can have a very good senior year for us. injury like he did, you worry about the mental hurdle Sooner family. He’s already kind of like family because From what I hear, he’s been working hard this summer. they have to clear. He was starting to play really well he’s Longar’s cousin and has been around the program He continues to add weight and get stronger, which last year when he got hurt. He’s an inside-outside type a lot. He’s a kid who works hard and we think he’ll be will benefi t him tremendously. I thought he made very guy who can shoot the ball and can pass it. He has a a great teammate and a good practice player for us. good progress last season and now he’s excited about good skill package. He needs to dedicate himself to He’s an extremely, extremely smart young man and our his last year and going out with a bang.” getting in great shape and working on his game. We program is lucky to have him.” know there’s going to be some rust, but we hope we Taylor Griffi n (Junior, Forward) can get that out of him and he can be the player we all Cade Davis (Freshman, Guard) “Taylor had some moments last year when he was very think he can become for us.” “We’re really excited about Cade. He has great leader- good. Having the experience of last year — playing ship qualities. I think he already has a Big 12-ready in every game and starting a lot of them — will help Tony Crocker (Sophomore, Guard) body. I like his ability to shoot the ball, I really like his him as a junior. He has physical gifts that you just can’t “I thought Tony had a good freshman year and showed athleticism and I love his willingness to compete. Cade teach. He’s a good defender and I think he can be a fl ashes of brilliance. He’s an athletic wing who surpris- loves to play; he’s a ballplayer. He’s not afraid to work, good offensive player. Taylor just needs to be confi dent ingly led our team in 3-point fi eld goal percentage. His he’s not afraid of being physical and we expect him to in Taylor all the time. He needs to allow the game to shooting was probably a question going into the year be a very good player in this program.” come naturally and not over think things. When he did but he shot it well. He has the ability to slash, and I that last year, he was very good.” thought he was a very good rebounder and defender Blake Griffi n (Freshman, Forward) for us. He needs to improve his ball handling and con- “Blake is the most heralded of our newcomers. He’s got Austin Johnson (Junior, Guard) tinue to work on expanding his shooting range. If he a Big 12-ready body. He has the chance to be a really, “A.J. played very well in some games early last season, can do that, he can make the jump from a good player really good player, an impact player on both ends of the some of them against good teams. When we played as a freshman to a very good player as a sophomore.” fl oor. I think he has really good leadership qualities. I Memphis and Purdue, I thought he was steady. love everything about Blake. One of the things that Unfortunately, he had some illnesses and injuries. We people might not realize is how good of a passer he is need A.J. to be better. We need him to be tougher, Keith Clark and how well he can handle the ball. People who have more serious about becoming a good player. If he does returns from watched him play in high school or in AAU probably that, he has the chance to be a really good guard in a mid-season didn’t see that because he was constantly double- and knee injury. this league. He’s talented, he has a good feel for the triple-teamed. He’s very skilled for his size. A lot of game and, because of his length, can create some havoc people just see power when they look at his body. But defensively.” I love his ability to pass and dribble, so we’ll use him in different spots on the fl oor. His bread and butter, Omar Leary (Junior, Guard) though, will be around the basket.” “We’re excited about Omar. We think he’ll provide depth at the point guard position and he’ll have Tony Neysmith (Freshman, Guard) a chance to contend for a starting spot. He’s won “Tony’s a guy who comes from a winning tradition at everywhere he’s been and there’s a good reason for Norcross High School in Georgia. I think he has the that. He has good leadership qualities, he can shoot chance to be a very good basketball player. I like his the ball and he can pass it. He also has the chance size at the guard spot, I like his athletic ability. He has to be a good defender. I’m excited about getting the a good feel for the game and has an opportunity to be chance to coach him.” a very good defender. He’s one of those guards who can play just about anywhere on the fl oor. We’ll use Ryan Wright (Junior, Forward) him at point some but he can also play off the ball and “Ryan is very athletic. He’s a little raw offensively, so I create some things. He can get out and run on the wing think a year off after transferring from UCLA will be the and fi nish in transition at the rim. He can come in and best thing that happens for Ryan in his career. He’ll be contribute right away.” able to work with us every day and we expect him to

10 OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE • 2007-08 THE PREVIEW PRESEASON NOTEBOOK

EARLY START end trip to Canada. According to OU athletics trainer Alex Brown, Clark will wear a brace on his knee until OU’s regular season begins. Oklahoma’s Nov. 8 season opener against San Francisco in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic will mark the earliest game in school history. In fact, with the 2K Sports Classic ALL IN THE FAMILY scheduled to conclude the following day, the Sooners will get two games under their belt earlier in the calendar than they’ve ever played one. For the fi rst time since the 2004-05 school year, brothers Taylor and Blake Griffi n will play on the same competitive team this year. Separated by two years, the pair prepped together Additionally, the contest will mark the earliest ever played by a Big 12 Conference men’s under their father (Tommy Griffi n) at Oklahoma Christian School during the 2003-04 and basketball team. 2004-05 seasons and won two state titles together. Last year’s Nov. 10 OU opener against Norfolk State had been the earliest game played by Taylor, a junior forward, averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds a game last year for the the Sooners, while Texas (last season) and Kansas (in 2000-01) both started a campaign Sooners, while Blake, a freshman forward who won four state high school championships on Nov. 9. at OCS, was a McDonald’s All-American last year and is regarded as one of the top collegiate newcomers in the country. OH, CANADA The Sooners got an early jump on the 2007-08 season by virtue of their three-day, four- TALIAFERRO JOINS STAFF game tour of the Vancouver, B.C., area over Labor Day weekend (Sept 1-3). OU posted a 4-0 Oronde Taliaferro, who spent the past four years as an assistant coach at Arkansas, was record, winning at the University of British Columbia (81-62), Simon Fraser (86-57), Trinity hired in May to replace Rod Barnes. Barnes left the program last spring to become the Western (107-58) and Douglas College (90-61) by an average of 31.5 points. head coach at Georgia State. Four Sooners averaged double fi gures in points, paced by true freshman Blake Griffi n’s The 35-year-old Taliaferro, who grew up in Detroit, Mich., but was always an Oklahoma 18.8 scoring average (in just 19.8 minutes per game). Senior Longar Longar, (14.5 ppg), basketball and football fan in part because of trips to visit family in Oklahoma City, said it freshman Cade Davis (11.3) and sophomore Keith Clark (10.0) also averaged double fi gures was great to get on the OU practice court when the team began preparations for its Labor in scoring. Griffi n, who is the younger brother of OU junior Taylor Griffi n, also averaged a Day Weekend trip to Canada. team-high 9.0 rebounds per contest and shot a team-best .609 from the fi eld. “It was a great feeling. A pair of guards who started the majority of OU’s games last year did not make the trip. Assistant coach Growing up, I didn’t Oronde Taliaferro Junior Austin Johnson and sophomore Tony Crocker stayed in Oklahoma due to injuries. expect I’d wind up here. Their absence meant more playing time for newcomer guards Davis, Omar Leary and Tony It’s kind of like a Neysmith. Leary, a junior college All-American, averaged 7.3 points and 3.0 assists while homecoming, so to speak, Neysmith, a freshman, contributed 7.0 points and 3.0 assists per outing. considering I grew up watching so many OU games THE MOOSE IS LOOSE and having family here. It’s Sophomore forward Keith Clark is back for his sophomore season after torn anterior a weird feeling, but it’s a good cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee on Dec. 28, 2006, against SMU feeling. It probably means more prematurely ended his freshman campaign. Clark averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds to me because of my attachment to in 12.2 minutes a game prior to his injury and, according to head coach Jeff Capel, was the city and to some of the history.” starting to come into his own when he got hurt. Taliaferro, who was an assistant coach at Kent The 6-8, 242-pound Oklahoma City product, who was ranked as the nation’s No. 57 overall State when it reached the NCAA Tournament’s player by Rivals.com his senior year in high school, was cleared for full activity the fi rst 2002 Elite Eight, was labeled by Rivals.com in week of July and showed no ill-effects from the injury during the team’s Labor Day week- 2006 as one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters.

CANADA EXHIBITION TRIP STATISTICS (SEPT. 1-3)

–– REBOUNDS –– Player G-GS MIN-AVG FG-FGA PCT 3G-GA PCT FT-FTA PCT OFF-DEF TOT-AVG PF-D A TO BK ST PTS AVG Blake Griffi n 4-2 79-19.8 28-46 .609 0-0 .000 19-39 .487 15-21 36-9.0 0 12 4 4 6 75 18.8 Longar Longar 4-3 84-21.0 22-37 .595 0-1 .000 14-21 .667 7-15 22-5.5 11-1 6 8 8 2 58 14.5 Cade Davis 4-3 107-26.8 17-46 .370 11-31 .355 0-0 .000 4-16 20-5.0 12-0 11 10 4 5 45 11.3 Keith Clark 4-2 86-21.5 15-30 .500 6-17 .353 4-5 .800 7-16 23-5.8 11-0 4 7 4 5 40 10.0 Taylor Griffi n 4-2 104-26.0 13-26 .500 3-6 .500 4-8 .500 7-20 27-6.8 15-1 9 11 1 7 33 8.3 David Godbold 4-3 98-24.5 11-34 .324 7-20 .350 3-4 .750 6-18 24-6.0 7-0 13 9 3 8 32 8.0 Omar Leary 4-3 88-22.0 9-25 .360 7-16 .438 4-4 1.000 4-7 11-2.8 7-0 12 8 0 5 29 7.3 Tony Neysmith 4-2 97-22.8 13-24 .542 0-2 .000 2-5 .400 2-8 10-2.5 5-0 12 6 2 4 28 7.0 Beau Gerber 4-0 37-9.3 5-11 .455 0-0 .000 1-2 .500 3-4 7-1.8 5-0 0 0 1 1 11 2.8 TEAM 4-10 14-3.5 5 Oklahoma 4 800 138-286 .483 37-98 .378 51-88 .580 59-137 196-49.0 85-2 84 70 27 44 364 91.0 Opponents 4 800 83-256 .324 24-82 .293 48-78 .615 40-105 145-36.2 79-0 45 84 8 28 238 59.5

SCORE BY PERIODS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total Oklahoma 99 77 96 92 364 Opponents 36 60 62 80 238

2007-08 • OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE 11 THE PREVIEW PRESEASON PLLAYERAYER POOLLLL

Members of the 2007-08 Oklahoma Who’s the cheapest? team participated in a 29-question Tony Crocker – 4 votes player poll in late September, supplying David Godbold – 4 votes the name of a teammate for various Blake Griffi n – 2 votes categories. Self votes were not allowed and only players with multiple votes Who’s the most outgoing? are shown below: Keith Clark – 7 votes Cade Davis – 2 votes Beau Gerber – 2 votes Who’s the best dresser? Taylor Griffi n – 7 votes Who’s the most reserved? Tony Neysmith – 5 votes Ryan Wright – 6 votes Dau Jok – 3 votes Who’s the worst dresser? Omar Leary – 2 votes David Godbold – 4 votes Dau Jok – 4 votes Who’s the best singer? Beau Gerber – 3 votes Tony Crocker – 7 votes Junior forward Cade Davis – 3 votes Taylor Griffi n was Who’s the biggest eater? the top vote getter Keith Clark – 3 votes in six categories: Who’s the worst singer? Beau Gerber – 3 votes best dresser, fi rst to Omar Leary – 5 votes get married, most Dau Jok – 3 votes Longar Longar – 4 votes respected, clean- Longar Longar – 2 votes est locker, most impressive in the Who’s the best freestyle rapper? Who’s the best pool player? weight room and Keith Clark – 5 votes best future head Cade Davis – 6 votes Beau Gerber – 2 votes coach. David Godbold – 2 votes Omar Leary – 2 votes Tony Neysmith – 2 votes Longar Longar – 2 votes Who’s the best video game player? Who’s the best dancer? David Godbold – 6 votes Who will be the last to get married? Who’s the fastest from baseline to Tony Crocker – 8 votes Longar Longar – 5 votes Longar Longar – 5 votes baseline? Tony Neysmith – 3 votes David Godbold – 4 votes Omar Leary – 6 votes Who’s the worst video game player? Dau Jok – 2 votes Tony Crocker – 3.5 votes Who’s the most competitive? Omar Leary – 3 votes Cade Davis – 2.5 votes Blake Griffi n – 6.5 votes Ryan Wright – 3 votes Who’s the most respected? Longar Longar – 4 votes Tony Neysmith – 2 votes Taylor Griffi n – 3.5 votes Who’s the most impressive in the David Godbold – 3 votes weight room? Who will be the fi rst to get married? Taylor Griffi n – 8 votes Who’s the biggest prankster? Longar Longar – 3 votes Taylor Griffi n – 9 votes Tony Neysmith – 2 votes Blake Griffi n – 6 votes Tony Crocker – 3 votes Keith Clark – 2 votes Who has the messiest locker? Who’s the hardest worker? Tony Neysmith – 2 votes Longar Longar – 9 votes Keith Clark – 2 votes Blake Griffi n – 4 votes Tony Crocker – 3 votes Who’s the smartest in the classroom? Beau Gerber – 3 votes Beau Gerber – 8.5 votes Who keeps the cleanest locker? Taylor Griffi n – 3 votes Taylor Griffi n – 6 votes Cade Davis – 2 votes Who’s the biggest trash-talker? Keith Clark – 8 votes Who’s the biggest comedian? Ryan Wright – 2 votes Longar Longar – 3 votes Blake Griffi n – 3 votes Keith Clark – 2 votes Who’s the best dunker? Who’s the most likely to become Omar Leary – 2 votes Tony Crocker – 7.5 votes Blake Griffi n – 3.5 votes a millionaire (not by playing pro Tony Neysmith – 2 votes basketball)? Beau Gerber – 8 votes Taylor Griffi n – 3 votes

Who will make the best future head coach? Taylor Griffi n – 6 votes Beau Gerber – 2 votes Freshman Cade Davis Omar Leary – 2 votes was voted as the team’s best pool player.

12 OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE • 2007-08