Oklahoma aims to keep protecting the ball vs. Mississippi Valley St.

Oklahoma's offense has scored plenty against almost every team it has faced.

But now, the Sooners will take on a team that's struggled to slow down most everybody it has played when they meet Mississippi Valley State on Monday in Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma comes in averaging 86.9 points per game and has scored 70 or more in all but one game so far.

While the Sooners have been strong offensively all year, they've steadily improved at avoiding turnovers as the season has developed. Oklahoma has fewer than 10 turnovers in seven of its last 10 games, including each of its last three, and is averaging just 9.5 turnovers per game.

Oklahoma is in the top 20 nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.75.

"One, we're taking care of the ball; two, we've been playing unselfishly," Sooners coach Porter Moser said of his team's recent offensive success. "We've been moving it. Sometimes, this game, when the lead starts going (up), you can see guys just (stop passing)."

The Sooners (9-3) have won three consecutive games, the most recent a 107-54 victory over Stetson on Dec. 22.

Oklahoma has four players averaging 12 or more points per game. Moser is particularly high on the recent improvement of Derrion Reid, who is averaging 12.3 points and is coming off a career-high 22 in the win over Stetson.

"I think he's seeing the results of being more aggressive," Moser said. "... I think he was overthinking sometimes.

"I just think he's letting the game come to him."

The Delta Devils (1-12) have dropped 11 consecutive games, and their only win came against a non-Division I opponent.

During the slide, Mississippi Valley State has lost by about 29.5 points per game.

The Delta Devils are led by Michael James, who is averaging 20.1 points per game. Daniel Mayfield is the only other MVSU player averaging double figures, with 13.4 points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game.

The Sooners have a couple players dealing with ankle injuries.

Dayton Forsythe missed Oklahoma's last game after turning his ankle in the Dec. 16 win over Kansas City, while Kai Rogers left the Dec. 22 game vs. Stetson with an ankle injury.

Moser said before Christmas that he hoped both players would be available for the final nonconference tuneup before SEC play begins for the Sooners on Jan. 3.

--Field Level Media