SWOSU Opens Exhibition Play

November 4, 2009

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Fans will get their first look at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University men's basketball team Thursday as the Bulldogs face Oklahoma City University. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse.

The OCU game is one of three exhibitions that SWOSU will play before starting its regular season on Nov. 20. The Bulldogs will also play Nov. 9 at Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha and Nov. 13 against Avila University in a neutral site game in Claremore.

Although the game will not count in the won-loss ledger for SWOSU, new coach Charlie Schaef said he has a number of items that will be important for his team to accomplish. He listed keeping turnovers to a minimum, getting the ball in the paint and rebounding as things he will keep a watchful eye on.

SWOSU will have a number of new faces in the lineup against OCU with only three players - Keith Richardson, Jacob Campbell and Matej Mrkic - back from last year's squad.

"Any time you have so many new players, one of the key things is how well we communicate on the floor," Schaef said. "We've done a good job in practice, but it will be interesting to see how it carries over in a game."

OCU, an NAIA school, has played one exhibition game already this season. The Stars played Saturday at Mississippi State where they were 82-54 losers. The SWOSU game will count as a regular-season game for OCU.

"Our guys are competitors. They want to win whether it's a drill in practice, a scrimmage or an exhibition game," Schaef said. "Motivation will not be a problem. OCU will be giving 100% effort and I expect our guys to do the same."