Norman is getting a primetime taste of March Madness, as the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners host No. 13 Idaho in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Lloyd Noble Center on Friday, with tipoff set for 9 p.m. CT. Oklahoma rolls in at 24-7 after winning seven of its last eight, and once again the Sooners get the kind of home-court edge that can swing an early-round matchup, as per News On 6.
According to News On 6, Oklahoma is ranked No. 10 nationally and slotted as a No. 4 seed, marking the program's 26th NCAA Tournament appearance. Payton Verhulst called the chance to host “so awesome,” while freshman Aaliyah Chavez said, “I think we’re going to surprise the world” with how much the team has grown, the outlet reports. The Sooners will host both subregional rounds for the second straight season, giving Norman fans two shots at live tournament basketball in their own backyard.
Idaho's run
Idaho arrives with hardware already in hand after clinching the Big Sky title and punching its ticket to the NCAA Tournament, riding momentum from a deep conference run, according to Idaho Athletics. As a lower seed, the Vandals are expected to try to grind things down, slow the pace and control the glass in search of an upset path against a fast-paced OU squad.
What to watch
Oklahoma’s balance, with veteran guards, an aggressive transition attack and impact freshmen on the wing, will get tested right away. Coach Jennie Baranczyk has led the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament in each of her five seasons, per SoonerSports, and this group leans on that steady postseason experience. If Idaho can turn defensive stops into efficient offensive possessions and keep its turnovers down, this one has a real chance to tighten into a single-possession nail-biter late.
How to watch
The game will be televised on ESPN, with streams and live stats available on ESPN platforms. Radio coverage will run on the Sooner Sports Radio affiliates, including regional Spanish broadcasts. Fans can also follow the action and live audio through the varsity network and the Sooners' gameday resources.
For Norman, another March weekend at Lloyd Noble means packed stands, plenty of local buzz and a shot at extending the season. The Sooners will try to turn that home-court charge into a first-round win Friday at 9 p.m. CT, in the first of two NCAA subregional games the city will host this weekend.
