The Sooners have a 14–17 all-time record in their 31 meetings with Arkansas, and the two teams have recently faced off in a neutral venue at Tulsa’s BOK Center. It will be the first time these programs have faced one other as conference rivals when the Sooners and Hogs play on Saturday.
Let’s quickly review one of the Sooners’ more famous victories over the Pig Sooie supporters on the court in light of that. On November 30, 2001, Oklahoma, then coached by Kelvin Sampson, traveled to Fayetteville and defeated Arkansas and Hall of Famer Nolan Richardson 69-54. Later that season, the Oklahoma team from 2001–02 would make it to its fourth Final Four (at the time) in program history.
With 29 points, six rebounds, and two blocks at the end of the game, Ebi Ere made an impression during the Sooners’ double-digit victory. Hollis Price, the renowned guard for Oklahoma, contributed to the Sooners’ success by scoring 15 points. Price has been with the Cougars since 2014 and is currently the Director of Player Development on Sampson’s staff in Houston. They used a tough defense that consistently terrified opponents in that game and throughout the Sampson period at Oklahoma.
They used a tough defense that consistently terrified opponents in that game and throughout the Sampson period at Oklahoma. On Saturday, Oklahoma is not required to maintain the same level of defensive vigor. However, it is undeniable that playing sound and physical defense will help add a second conference loss to the win total.