Oklahoma returned four starters and have received quality minutes from newcomers Sam Grooms, a junior college point guard transfer, and power forward Romero Osby, a Mississippi State transfer.

“They're a lot further along than I anticipated,” Oral Roberts head coach Scott Sutton said. “I'm sure the talent level isn't where Coach (Lon) Kruger and the staff wants it to be as far as depth. But their guys are playing extremely hard, they're playing very fast and are playing with a lot of confidence.

“They get after you on the defensive end and do a great job attacking the glass."

Calvin Newell, the second-leading scorer on Oklahoma, has left the team and Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports reports he will transfer to UCF.

“I met with Coach (Lon) Kruger this morning and told him I've been dealing with issues regarding my family the past few months and I've felt distracted lately,” Newell said in a statement several days ago. “I feel I need to get back closer to home. That's why I made this decision.”  

“We'll definitely miss Calvin,” Kruger said. “He's been a key contributor this season, a guy who's scored the basketball for us. However, I respect his decision and the issues he's facing, and certainly wish him the best.”