COLUMBIA, S.C. -- OU coach Lon Kruger walked from his press conference to the locker room Thursday at Colonial Life Arena but stopped in a holding area to chat with members of the Sooner pep band.
During the NCAA Tournament, the NCAA funds the travel expenses for not just players, coaches and basketball support staff, but for each school’s band and a 12-member pep squad. The bands even attend the open-to-the-public practice the day before each team’s tournament opener, playing “Oklahoma!” and “Boomer Sooner,” providing some atmosphere in a mostly-empty arena. Perhaps 250 fans attended OU’s practice Thursday morning.