OU Returns to Kansas City to Face Notre Dame

Originally Published: Mar 27, 2010 4:31 PM CDT

Steve McGehee

Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- The Oklahoma Sooners and Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet for the second time this season. The two tradition rich programs collide in the Sweet 16 at the Sprint Center Sunday night. The Sooners are back in a familiar town. They just left the Show-Me State less than two weeks ago after playing in the Big 12 Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.

“It feels like we just left a day or two ago. Excited to be back here and ready to get it going,” head coach Sherri Coale said.

The setting is very different for the Irish and Sooners this time around. The winner will advance to the NCAA's Elite Eight Tuesday night.

Notre Dame defeated Oklahoma 98-71 earlier this season in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Championship game. It was Oklahoma’s first game without Whitney Hand. The Oklahoma sharp-shooter suffered a torn ACL against San Diego State in the previous game in the Paradise Jam.

The Sooners (25-10) are not the same team heading into late March. Their style has changed since the injury to Hand. Notre Dame expects to see a different look from the Sooners compared to last November’s meeting.

“They are such a different team and they have changed their dynamics,” Notre Dame Senior Erica Williamson said.

“Completely different, we’re just obviously over the course of the season, we’ve figured out how to win games. It’s not always pretty, but it’s been quite effective, and the guys know the roles and have accepted their responsibilities and have done a phenomenal job,” Coale said.

Just how different? We will see the results starting Sunday at 6:34 p.m. the official start time in Kansas City.