Oklahoma has proven freshmen can quickly excel on the basketball court. The last two Big 12 Freshman of the year -- Blake Griffin in 2007-08 and Willie Warren last season -- both played their home games at Lloyd Noble Center.

But the Sooners are trying to get double the impact with the addition of McDonald's All-Americans Tommy Mason-Griffin and Keith "Tiny" Gallon for this season.

One the one hand, signing two players of their caliber displays the leap OU's had in recruiting as Jeff Capel enters his fourth season as Sooner coach. Gallon and Mason-Griffin mark the third and fourth McDonald's All-Americans, which represents the presumed top 24 prep players in the country.

What's more surprising, however, neither is being counted on to carry the Sooners this season.

"They're talented. We expect them to be good players. We expect all of our freshmen to be. Just because you're a McDonald's guy doesn't mean it's set in stone that you're going to be really good," Capel said. "You have to work and earn the right to be a good player. Tommy and Tiny are very talented. They've accepted coaching so far, which is good."

They've also learned they have to make an impact on the team before they can make it on the court. Nothing is handed out.

"I want to do the little things to help the team," Gallon said Thursday afternoon at OU's Media Day.

"I'm just trying to adjust as quickly as possible and contribute in whatever way I can," Mason-Griffin added.

Make no mistake both will play critical roles this season. Mason-Griffin will be OU's point guard. Gallon will be its power forward.

Capel said Tuesday the only starter set in stone was Warren at shooting guard. Everything else was up for grabs.

But he's also made it clear the tandem were not brought in to play complimentary roles.

"We expect them to be really good players from Day One for us," Capel said.

The Sooners need them to be. Mason-Griffin brings something OU has missed the last few years. You have to go all the way back to 2006 and Drew Lavender since the Sooners have had a true point guard on the floor. Austin Johnson played well last season, but he was a converted shooting guard.

The one who's expressed the enthusiasm for Mason-Griffin is the one he'll be in the backcourt with -- Warren.

"We need someone where I don't always have to bring the ball up the court. I can put it on him sometimes to make a play," Warren said. "That's what Tommy gives us, another playmaker."