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Griffin, Oklahoma begin season with high hopes

Nov 14, 2008 - 11:18 AM American at No. 14 Oklahoma, 8:00 p.m. EST

NORMAN, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- No. 14 Oklahoma begins a season with lofty expectations on Friday when it hosts American University.

The Sooners are coming off a 23-12 campaign that included their first NCAA Tournament win since 2005.

Oklahoma welcomes back four starters and the school was the preseason pick to win the Big 12 Conference in the coaches' poll.

One of those starters is sophomore Blake Griffin, who some consider the No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft should he leave school. Battling knee injuries for most of the season, Griffin averaged 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds last season.

The Sooners should not look past the Eagles, who are the reigning Patriot League champions.

As a 15-seed in the Tournament, American gave Tennessee a good test in the first round before losing, 72-57.

Senior Garrison Carr returns for American after leading the team in scoring last season at 18.4 points per game. The diminutive guard scored 26 in the Eagles' loss to Tennessee.