Oklahoma Sooners

AP preseason ranking: No. 16.

Head coach: Jeff Capel (69-33 at Oklahoma, 148-74 overall).

Last season: 30-6 overall, 13-3 Big 12 (2nd).

Returning star: Willie Warren, 6-4, So., G (14.6 ppg, 3.1 apg).

Keep an eye on: Veteran shooter Tony Crocker (23 3-pointers last season) and highly touted true freshmen Tiny Gallon (scored a game-high 20 points in McDonald`s All-American Game) and Tommy Mason-Griffin (point guard was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas).

Stats that matter: Sooners lose Blake Griffin, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, who dominated opponents last season averaging 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds. ... Despite Griffin`s presence, Warren had seven games with at least 20 points and his 525 points were the fourth-most in Big 12 history for a freshman.

Quotable: "I think Willie Warren is one of the best guards in the country. Tommy Mason-Griffin has been as good as anyone in practice," Capel said. "He`s been that good."

Outlook: Despite losing the great Griffin (and his brother Taylor), Capel has recruited/reloaded at a level that should make OU a factor in the Big 12 title race and poised for another run in the NCAA Tournament.

CU sees `em: Feb. 17 in Boulder (7 p.m., ESPNU).

Tomorrow`s preview: Kansas State Wildcats.

-- Ryan Thorburn