Page 13 - Sooners News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Ted Roof was fired on Thursday as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma, following a season in which the Sooners' defense started strong but struggled down the stretch. Sooners coach Brent Venables said in a news release that he told Roof he was being let go as defensive coordinator, and that Roof declined an offer to remain on the staff in a different role. Oklahoma made significant improvements this season, Roof's second with the Sooners.

Line: Arizona by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Arizona gets to prepare for its move to the Big 12 next season by facing a traditional conference power in Oklahoma, who just happens to be leaving for the SEC. The Sooners are playing in their 25th consecutive bowl game while the Wildcats are making their first appearance since 2017.

RJ Davis was left off the All-Atlantic Coast Conference preseason team. Davis scored 23 points, Armando Bacot added 14 points and eight rebounds and No. 11 North Carolina handed seventh-ranked Oklahoma its first loss of the season 81-69 on Wednesday night at the Spectrum Center. It was the seventh straight game Davis led the Tar Heels in scoring.

The Tar Heels finished with one of their best defensive games of the season. They forced 18 turnovers and 10 steals, both season highs.

Otega Oweh added 12 points and seven steals, the most by an Oklahoma player in a game since December 1999. John Hugley IV scored 11 for the Sooners (10-0), off to their best start since opening 12-0 during the 2015-16 season — when they reached the Final Four behind Buddy Hield.