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Oklahoma basketball: Sooners face first real test vs. East Carolina in Myrtle Beach

By Connor Pasby

Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Umoja Gibson (2) reacts after a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Umoja Gibson (2) reacts after a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Men’s Oklahoma basketball takes to the road for the first time this season and will face East Carolina tonight at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

The eight-team tournament is being played at The HTC Center in Conway, S.C.

The Sooners have started the “Porter Moser Era” 2-0 with wins over Northwestern State and the University of Texas-San Antonio.  Oklahoma is coming off a 96-point performance against the UTSA Roughriders, but tonight’s opening-round game in the Myrtle Beach Invitational Tournament will be an early test for the Sooners.

East Carolina comes into the tournament with a 3-0 record following a 95-79 win over Western Carolina.

How to Watch Oklahoma vs. East Carolina

When: Thursday 6 p.m.

Where: The HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina

TV: ESPNU

Radio: 107.7 KRXO-FM (Oklahoma City)

The new-look Sooners have been playing inspiring basketball through the first two games of the season. Oklahoma held UTSA to 44 points and forced 15 turnovers. New head coach Porter Moser’s squad  heavily consists of transfers, who have played a key part to OU’s opening two victories.

The East Washington transfer, Tanner Groves, has been leading the way for the Sooners, averaging 18.0 points per game. Groves has been a huge addition for Moser, and earlier this week was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

Jordan Goldwire is another key addition, averaging 4.5 assists and shooting 50 percent from the field. Goldwire is a Duke transfer who averaged 5.8 points and 4.0 assists for the Blue Devils in 2020.

Its crucial to have veteran returners for a new coach, and the Sooners have that. Jalen Hill and Umoja Gibson entered the season with high expectations, after playing big roles for the Sooners in 2020. Gibson is averaging 11.5 points and shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range in the first two games. Hill is averaging 10.5 points and crashing down 9.5 rebounds.

The Sooners look to continue their hot shooting and suffocating defense against East Carolina, which is coming off an 8-11 record in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

East Carolina guard Tristen Newton is playing a much bigger role for the Pirates this season , averaging 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists through the first three games. Newton racked up 30 points in the Pirates last game against West Carolina. The redshirt sophomore shot 10 of 16 from the field, and five of seven from behind the arc.

The Pirates have three other players averaging double-digit points: Brandon Suggs, Tremont Robinson-White, and Brandon Johnson. Its an East Carolina team that features length and size, This will be something to watch against an Oklahoma team that relies heavily on guard play.

The Sooners look to start there season 3-0 and make an early statement in the Myrtle Beach Invitational. The bracket consists of Davidson, New Mexico State, Pennsylvania, Utah State, Oklahoma, East Carolina, Indiana State, and Old Dominion. The winner of Oklahoma/East Carolina will take on the winner of Indiana State/Old Dominion on Friday.

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