Tickets Now on Sale for Dec. 6 Battle between two NCAA Tournament Teams
SALT LAKE -- BYU will play its first-ever regular-season game in the Delta Center in Salt Lake City when the Cougars entertain Oklahoma State of the Big 12 Conference on Dec. 6. in a 4 p.m. (MST) tip. A press conference was held Thursday at the Delta Center announcing details of the game being played in the home arena of the Utah Jazz.
"This (college basketball) could become a tradition in December at the Delta Center," said Dennis Haslam, president of Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment, which includes the Delta Center and Utah Jazz among other entities owned by Larry H. Miller.
In a rematch of last year's neutral-court contest won by the Cowboys (78-65) at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, this year's game features two strong teams that both advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season.
"BYU fans are going to want to be in the Delta Center on Dec. 6 when Oklahoma State comes to town for this game," BYU Director of Men's Intercollegiate Athletics Val Hale said. "Coach Cleveland and his staff have put together what may be their best team yet. We are grateful to the Utah Jazz and Larry Miller for helping make this great college match-up at the Delta Center possible."
BYU returns four starters, including Mountain West Conference MVP candidates Mark Bigelow and Rafael Araujo, from a team that shared the MWC title on its way to a 23-9 record. Cougar coach Steve Cleveland's squad is the preseason pick to win the Mountain West crown in 2003-04.
"We look forward to the opportunity to play this game in the Delta Center," Cleveland said. "This should be a great game for the fans. I know it will have my full attention because Oklahoma State is a very good team from a strong conference and Eddie Sutton is obviously an outstanding coach."
Ranked 24th in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, Oklahoma State finished 22-10 last year while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Cowboy coach Eddie Sutton returns two starters and six lettermen and also adds five juniors who redshirted with the program last season, including former BYU guard Daniel Bobik.
"Playing BYU in the Delta Center gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase the great sport of collegiate basketball on a big-time stage," Sutton said. "It will offer the fans in Utah a chance to enjoy a competitive basketball game in a first-class facility. Last year's game at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City was extremely exciting. Hopefully, this year's contest with the Cougars will be just as memorable."
Tickets for the game are now on sale at the Delta Center Box Office or by calling 325-SEAT. Among the variety of ticket options, youth groups can purchase $5 tickets and upper bowl tickets are only $7.
The Utah Jazz is also offering a special three-game ticket package that will be of interest to both Jazz and Cougar fans. In addition to the BYU vs. Oklahoma State game on Dec. 6, the package includes tickets to see the Jazz play the Atlanta Hawks and recently departed BYU star Travis Hansen on Jan. 10, and the Dallas Mavericks and former Cougar Shawn Bradley on Jan. 28.
The BYU-Oklahoma State game is included as part of the BYU season ticket package. Season ticket holders will be seated in a comparable location to their seats in the Marriott Center. Students with a BYU All-Sport Card can also obtain tickets. Ticket pickup for All-Sport Card holders will take place at BYU's home opener against Southern Utah on Nov. 21. Corporate hosting opportunities are also available. Contact BYU Athletic Marketing at (801) 378-2028 for details.
Last year BYU ranked 17th nationally in average attendance and had the No. 1 percentage increase in the nation over the prior season. This year's season ticket sales are up significantly from last year.
This will be the seventh meeting between BYU and Oklahoma State in a series that is even at 3-3. This year's game will be the third neutral-court contest between the two teams. The past two games have been on a neutral floor, including last year's Cowboy victory in Oklahoma City. BYU won the prior game in a 69-59 triumph at the Great Alaska Shootout in 1994.
GAME FACTS
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003
Site: Delta Center (20,000)
Salt Lake City
Time: 4 p.m. MST
Coaches: BYU, Steve Cleveland (108-78 entering seventh year; same overall)
OSU, Eddie Sutton (294-124 entering 14th year; 724-288 entering
34th year overall)
TV: None
Radio: KSL Newsradio 1160 AM (Cougar Sports Network)
Web: Live stats and live audio will be available at byucougars.com
and live audio on KSL.com
Tickets: -- BYU season tickets and Student All-Sport Tickets available at
BYU Ticket Office or by calling 801-378-BYU1
-- Single-game and Jazz 3-game package tickets available at
Delta Center Box Office or by calling 801-325-SEAT
-- For corporate hosting opportunities contact BYU Athletic Marketing
at 801-378-2028
BYU VS. OKLAHOMA STATE SERIES RESULTS
Overall Series Record: Series tied 3-3
BYU Record in Provo: 1-2
BYU Record in Stillwater: 1-1
BYU Record at Neutral Sites: 1-0
BYU Record under Steve Cleveland: 0-1
BYU Record in Overtime Games: N/A
Longest BYU Win Streak: 3 (1971-94)
Longest Oklahoma St. Win Streak: 2 (1961-63)
Largest BYU Margin of Victory: 27 (1972)
Largest Oklahoma St. Margin of Victory: 17 (1961)
Most Points Scored by BYU: 96 (1972)
Most Points Scored by Oklahoma St.: 74 (1971)
12-15-61 at Oklahoma State 44-61 L
12-12-63 Oklahoma State 64-71 L
12-15-71 at Oklahoma State 84-74 W
12-13-72 Oklahoma State 96-69 W
11-23-94 vs. Oklahoma St.* 69-59 W
01-04-03 vs. Oklahoma St.+ 65-78 L
*Great Alaska Shootout
+All-College Classic