Oklahoma's win over Oklahoma State Monday night did more than even up its conference record. It also ended the exile from the locker room and lifted the ban on wearing Sooner practice gear.
"They earned the right with how hard they played," OU coach Jeff Capel said before Thursday's practice.
It ended two weeks of changing in spare locker rooms around the Lloyd Noble Center and wearing plain T-shirts and shorts that players already owned.
The rule was instituted following the Sooners' loss to Gonzaga Dec. 31. It was one of several losses this season where Capel believed his team's overall effort wasn't adequate.
The problems have been best displayed on the defensive end. In losses to UTEP, Gonzaga and Baylor, the Sooners allowed all three to shoot over 50 percent from the field and close to 60 percent against the Miners and Bears.
During Monday's Bedlam, the Cowboys shot just 27.5 percent. It was the lowest shooting percentage by an OU opponent in 58 games.
"I think we came out and played pretty good D against Oklahoma State and that had been our problem," senior guard Tony Crocker said.
Of course, one game doesn't make a trend.
The Sooners (10-6, 1-1 Big 12) next face Missouri at noon Saturday at Lloyd Noble Center. A win over the Tigers (14-3, 2-0) would be a clearer sign that OU has solved its issues.
Guard Cade Davis put his practice gear back on with a sense of trepidation for that reason.
"I almost considered staying in the old gear, because it kept us humble," Davis said. "It was a great win (against Oklahoma State), but we still need to be hungry every game that we come into."
If that isn't the case, Capel said he'll try something to get the Sooners' motivated.
"If you're a coach or teacher or are involved in any kind of leadership role, you have to try different methods and different things," he said. "If this doesn't work, we'll try something else. We're not going to give up and we're not going to quit."
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
They got their shirts
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