Oklahoma Looks to Cap Non-Conference Play with a Win
The Oklahoma Sooners return to Lloyd Noble Center on Monday night, hoping to wrap up their non-conference slate with a victory over Mississippi Valley State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT, giving Norman fans a chance to see the team continue its momentum before the start of conference play. With a 9-3 record, Oklahoma has positioned itself for a strong start to Big 12 action, and the matchup against the Delta Devils presents an opportunity to sharpen focus and execution before league play begins.
Series History and Strategic Focus
Oklahoma holds a 3-0 lead in the all-time series with Mississippi Valley State and is unbeaten at home in the meetings that have occurred. The most recent matchup featured a convincing blowout, underscoring the gap in experience and depth between the programs. For Monday’s game, the Sooners will look to deploy a balanced attack that leverages interior scoring, perimeter shooting, and disciplined defense. As with any non-conference game, coaches emphasize game tempo, ball handling, and minimizing turnovers to ensure the team enters conference play with clean habits.
What to Expect from Oklahoma
Oklahoma has shown resilience and depth in non-conference play, with multiple players contributing across scoring, rebounding, and assists. The Sooners’ approach typically blends post touches from its bigs with guard-driven pace in transition, aiming to maintain offensive balance even when a leading scorer isn’t on the floor. In this game, expect:
– A proactive effort to push pace in the open court while maintaining disciplined ball security.
– Improved on-ball defense against perimeter threats to limit second-chance opportunities for Mississippi Valley State.
– A rotation that rewards emerging contributors, allowing more minutes for players who can stretch the floor and protect the rim.
Mississippi Valley State: Challenge and Opportunities
The Delta Devils enter Monday’s game seeking to upset the odds and salvage some confidence in a tough non-conference schedule. While MVU has struggled in terms of wins, the team can present a test with its own offensive schemes and hustle plays. For Oklahoma, the focus will be on maintaining intensity from the opening tip, keeping MVU out of a rhythm, and executing a game plan that highlights the Sooners’ depth while avoiding predictable lineups late in the second half.
Key Players to Watch
On Oklahoma’s side, the guard corps and versatile forwards will be essential in dictating pace and providing scoring options when the top scorers aren’t shooting well. Look for crisp ball movement, reliable free-throw shooting, and disciplined help defense. Mississippi Valley State will rely on its guards to create offense and its frontcourt to crash the boards, making rebounding and second-chance opportunities a potential tipping point in the game’s late stages.
Why This Game Matters
Although the primary focus of the season is conference play, non-conference results carry weight in terms of tournament seeding and confidence-building. For Oklahoma, finishing non-conference play with strong performances helps set the tone for Big 12 battles ahead. Fans also gain a firsthand look at how the team adapts to different styles of play, which can inform adjustments during the critical stretch of the schedule.
What to Watch For Entering Big 12 Play
Coaches will be assessing depth, bench production, and how well the team sustains performance across 40 minutes. Guard contributions, interior defense, and shooting efficiency from beyond the arc will be watched closely as Oklahoma transitions to conference play. Monday’s result could influence lineup decisions and the feel of the rotation as the Sooners prepare for high-stakes games in the upcoming weeks.
