Price Knows the Full Scoop on Missouri

Hollis Price kept a folded newspaper article in his shoe as inspiration during Oklahoma’s blowout win over Arizona on Thursday night. The Sooner junior guard had taken exception to a printed comment made by Wildcat freshman Salim Stoudamire, who had wondered why Price was being revered in the press.

Price scored 22 points and six three-point baskets in the first half before finishing with a game-high 26 points in the Sooners’ 88-67 win.

So, what’s Price’s inspiration for today against Big 12 Conference-rival Missouri in the West Regional final at Compaq Center?

“A trip to the Final Four,” he said. “That’s it.”

Beat the No. 12-seeded Tigers and that’s where the No. 2-seeded Sooners are going for the first time since losing the 1988 title game to Kansas.

It would seem a simple enough task, considering Oklahoma (30-4) has defeated Missouri (24-11) eight consecutive times, including 84-71 in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 21.

“[But] the law of averages might be our best advantage,” joked third-year Missouri Coach Quin Snyder, who is 0-5 against the Sooners. “Someone beats you enough, eventually you’ve got to win.... When you get down to it, it’s not about losing streaks or the Big 12 [having two teams in a regional final]. It’s about two teams squaring off.”

The Sooners have an 11-game winning streak and have won 15 of 16. The surprising Tigers, the lowest-seeded team ever to reach the Elite Eight, have defeated their three NCAA tournament opponents by an average of 12.6 points.

In Oklahoma’s win earlier this season, Missouri senior Clarence Gilbert, still adjusting to his role as point guard, scored a game-high 26 points while making eight three-pointers. Price led the Sooners with 24 points, five three-pointers.

The Sooners have defeated Missouri by an average of 7.9 points during their eight-game winning streak.

“What happened in the past and what we did to them in the past means nothing,” said Oklahoma Coach Kelvin Sampson. “Look at Duke. Everybody assumes, but there’s nothing guaranteed anybody.”

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Paul Gutierrez