vs. 
The Lowdown: No. 10 (NAIA D-I) Mid-America Christian University @ No. 8 (NCAA D-I) University of Oklahoma
Time: Nov. 12 @ 7 p.m.
Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, Okla.
TV: Sooner Sports TV (Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports Southwest PLUS, Fox College Sports Central)
Radio: KRXO 107.7 FM "The Franchise"
Live Stats:
Ticket Info: Tickets are available starting at $5 at the OU Athletics Ticket Office (800-456-4668) and online at www.soonersports.com.
The Dish on the Evangels: The No. 10-ranked and defending Sooner Athletic Conference regular season champion Mid-America Christian University Evangels are now 3-1 this season after a gritty 79-73 victory over Langston University on Tuesday night (Nov. 10).
After the Lions made it a one-possession game at 76-73 with 51 seconds left, the Evangels finally put it away by clamping down defensively and making three free throws down the stretch.
Tate led the Evangels with 21 points, while Chris Runnels recorded a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Devonse Reed also scored in double-figures with 12 points and Malcolm Mann dished out a team-high five assists.
Reed is the Evangels' leading scorer through three games at 19.0 ppg, while Tate is second in scoring with 16.8 ppg and has a team-high 9.3 rebounds per game. Jerrick Massenburge is third on the team in scoring with 14.0 ppg and has nailed a team-best 10 threes on the season. The Evangels are also getting 10.0 ppg from Exzavia Seaton and Chris Runnels. Malcolm Mann has dished out a team-high 22 assists thus far for the Evangels.
As a team, the Evangels are eighth in the NAIA in offensive rebounds per game (18) and turnover margin (7.0) while ranking ninth in steals (46).
The Dish on the Sooners: The No. 8-ranked University of Oklahoma Sooners, under fifth-year head coach Lon Kruger, defeated Washburn University (Kan.) out of the NCAA D-II MIAA Conference 112-62 on Nov. 6 in their exhibition opener. Returning Big XII Player of the Year Buddy Hield led the Sooners with 20 points and Ryan Spangler contributed 13 points and eight rebounds. Dinjiyl Walker (15), Christian James (14) and Rashard Odomes (12) also scored in double-figures for OU.
The Sooners advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season before falling short to eventual Final Four qualifier Michigan State, 62-58.
The Series: This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs and marks the return of MACU head coach Josh Gamblin to his old stomping grounds. Gamblin served last season as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma.
Getting it started right: After defeating Haskell Indian Nations University to kick off the 2015-16 season, the Evangels have now won their last eight season openers and are 9-1 overall beginning the season since joining the NAIA.
High Expectations: Fresh off of capturing their first Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championship and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Tournament, the Evangels were picked to finish tied for second in the preseason SAC Coaches' poll. MACU was tied for the second spot with Wayland Baptist University. It represents the highest the Evangels have been tabbed in the poll since becoming an NAIA and SAC member in 2007.
The Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions received seven of nine first-place votes to take the top spot. The Lions are coming off a 22-11 record last season with an NAIA National Championship tournament appearance.
John Brown University and Texas Wesleyan University round out the top five, with the remainder of the poll being Oklahoma City University, USAO, Southwestern Christian University, St. Gregory's University and Bacone College.
The Coaches:
Josh Gamblin is in his first season as the head coach of the Mid-America Christian University men's basketball program. Gamblin replaces Willie Holley, who retired after 42 years and 813 career victories at the helm.
Gamblin comes to MACU from the University of Oklahoma, where he was a Graduate Assistant Coach under Head Coach Lon Kruger. There he assisted in all practices and logged scout games. Gamblin also worked with coaches on opponent scouting reports for a squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season.
"We really appreciate all of Josh's assistance during his time with the Sooners and I know he'll do a fantastic job," Kruger said. "MACU is lucky to have him."
Prior to arriving at OU, Gamblin served two-years at Southwestern Christian University (SCU) as lead Assistant Coach on Head Coach Quinn Wooldridge's staff. Gamblin's duties at SCU involved recruiting, leading film sessions and analyzing opponent's scouting reports.
During the 2011-12 basketball season, Gamblin worked in the NBA as the Intern Video Coordinator for the Los Angeles Clippers under then-Head Coach Vinny Del Negro. Gamblin helped prepare pre-game scouting reports for the Clippers, as well as logging all opponent games and being involved in coaches meetings. His efforts with the Clippers led to the best winning percentage in team history.
"Josh has worked at the highest level and continually strives to learn and become a better coach each day," Del Negro said. "He is constantly working to improve his craft and striving for excellence is everything he does."
Off the court, Gamblin has served as Clippers' All-Star Forward Blake Griffin's Summer Basketball Trainer for the past three seasons. Gamblin helped Griffin prepare for upcoming basketball seasons by working on a number of offensive and defensive drills—specifically pick and roll coverages, low post moves and ball handling drills.
Gamblin's collegiate-athlete experience includes, but not limited to: competed at SCU on the Men's Basketball team from 2007-11; Varsity Captain (twice); named SCU Male Newcomer of the Year in 2008; and selected as Team MVP for the 2011 season. Additional honors include: Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) Honorable-Mention All-America honors in 2010; a Midlands Collegiate Athletic All-Conference selection in 2011; and named "Mr. Southwestern" in 2011, (awarded to the student who exemplifies the values, traditions and spirit of SCU). After the 2011 season, Gamblin received the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete award.
He graduated from SCU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and is currently enrolled in the IAA Master's program at the University of Oklahoma.
Gamblin and his wife Jennifer live in Oklahoma City with their son Miles (six months).
Lon Kruger is entering his fifth season as head coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and his 30th season of coaching overall. Kruger is 82-49 overall at OU and has taken the program to the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance last season. Kruger is now the first coach to guide five teams to the Sweet 16 or beyond since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Kruger's past head coaching stops include UNLV, the University of Florida, University of Illinois, Kansas State University and a three-year stint as head coach of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.
Up Next: The Evangels will host Bethany College (Kan.) Friday night (Nov. 13) at 7 p.m. inside the Gaulke Activity Center. MACU bested Bethany 115-95 on the road back on Oct. 31. The Evangels will then turn around and host No. 20-ranked Philander Smith College Saturday evening (Nov. 14) at 5 p.m.
