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OU basketball wrapping up non-conference schedule

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•12/31/23•

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It’s the calm before the storm for OU basketball. But first things first, better keep the calm, well, calm. The Sooners were far from sharp against Central Arkansas on Thursday night. It was a win, but one where head coach Porter Moser could find a lot to point to for improvement.

That improvement can happen Sunday afternoon. No. 12 OU wraps up its non-conference schedule against Monmouth.

How to watch

Monmouth (7-5) at No. 12 OU (11-1)
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
TV: ESPN+
Fubo Streaming: Fubo (Try for free) Fubo’s holiday offer just kicked off – For a limited time, new subscribers can save $20 on Fubo’s Pro, Elite, and Premier plans ($20 off the first and second months)

Weird things can happen in this limbo sort of week. You can’t overlook the ‘buy’ games because of the conference grind that lies ahead.

Just ask Florida Atlantic. A crushing blow for FAU with its loss to Florida Golf Coast on Saturday. Moser has said before he won’t use negative reinforcement. Doesn’t believe in putting that into existence, but OU needs to be a lot better compared to its outing vs. the Bears.

Monmouth (7-5) has won two games in a row and has a win at West Virginia earlier this season. But if OU is playing at its level? No, it shouldn’t matter.

What to watch

*Milos Uzan has to become a factor again. Even if you feel like this game should be over by halftime, Uzan needs a lift. You can still see Uzan trying to figure out his role now that Javian McCollum has stepped up in a huge way.

*Most thought Thursday would be a night for the young guys. It wasn’t. A 22.5-point spread suggests Sunday could be. If so, up to Kaden Cooper and Luke Northweather to make their minutes count.

All the talk has been about an eight-man rotation, eight starters. If Cooper and Northweather can earn the trust and be consistent, it’s a world of difference in believing in 10 guys compared to eight.

*Finish strong. Simple but true. The UNC loss has to be wiped away and the uneven effort vs. Central Arkansas. Go to work, get the job done and get ready to welcome Iowa State to Lloyd Noble Center next Saturday.

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