Preview: Oklahoma (9-1) vs. Texas-Arlington (3-6)

Dec 8, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Ryan Spangler (00) talks with Je

Game Time: 7:00 PM CT
Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
Television: FS Southwest Plus
Tickets Available from OU Athletics Ticket Office

Seeking their tenth win of the season, OU hosts the Texas-Arlington Mavericks Tuesday night.

The last time these two met, the Mavs nearly erased a ten-point deficit at halftime, but fell to Oklahoma 63-59 at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

It has not been the ideal start for Texas-Arlington head coach Scott Cross this season. However, their non-conference slate has featured some tough trips to the homes of the Boise State Broncos, Kentucky Wildcats, and Texas Longhorns.

Oklahoma will be Texas-Arlington’s last road trip before they begin Sun Belt play January 2. The Mavs did come close to upsetting the Longhorns, and last year’s close call against the Sooners should give some of the older Mavericks players some confidence.

They have a lot of experience and are led by seniors Reger Dowell, an Oklahoma State transfer, and Brandon Edwards.

Oklahoma’s backcourt will have the task of containing Dowell, who can score from just about anywhere on the floor.

Dowell has some decent moves and can find hist teammates. He will be looking for Brandon Edwards, a forward who can really get up and make you pay in the paint.

Edwards is averageing 20.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

This combo will be a big challenge, and a few other names, Lonnie McClanahan and Jamel Outler could pose problems.

McClanahan is not the team’s featured scorer, but he can pass the ball and leading the team in assists. And for Outler, he’s shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc, averaging two trey’s per contest.

Beating Oklahoma would be a big momentum boost, but the Sooners are on a roll as of late.

The Sooners hit the 100-point mark for the second time this season. This 100-point outing coming against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in a 101-91 win.

Jordan Woodard is coming off a big game against Tulsa, scoring 24 points and adding eight assists. Woodward and Co. against a few quality Maverick guards should be fun to watch.

This is a game OU should be able to win, and you know they will want to get in rhythm in time for their trip to Houston this Saturday against the Texas A&M Aggies.

It should be an entertaining contest, with hopefully some decent fan support inside the Lloyd Noble Center.