Oklahoma

5 positions the Oklahoma Sooners should target in the transfer portal

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2022

5 positions the Oklahoma Sooners should target in the transfer portal

Oklahoma’s season is all the way down to one final recreation towards the Florida State Seminoles within the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Nonetheless, their preparation for Crew 129 has already begun.

Quite a few gamers have already entered the switch portal or declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Gamers like left sort out Anton Harrison, working again Eric Grey, defensive sort out Jalen Redmond, and proper sort out Wanya Morris had been starters on this yr’s squad and have already declared their intention to go to the NFL. Oklahoma should fill these voids for subsequent season. Their replacements could also be on the workforce already, however there’s an actual risk they aren’t.

The losses have left a hefty quantity of our bodies lacking from this system proper now, and whereas the recruiting class will fill a few of them, the Sooners would like to have quick solutions through the switch portal by guys with collegiate expertise.

As Oklahoma seems to be to retool its roster for 2023, listed here are just a few positions they need to look so as to add expertise to through the switch portal.

Offensive sort out

Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Anton Harrison (71) in the course of the recreation towards the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities

Look, it might sound loopy, however Invoice Bedenbaugh needs to be on the cellphone working the offensive tackles within the portal.

Oklahoma loses each of their starters, Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris, and apart from Tyler Guyton, there are not any confirmed commodities on the place. Guyton himself didn’t begin many video games apart from the 2 Morris missed early season attributable to suspension. Guyton performed properly in spot responsibility and can seemingly begin for Oklahoma in the course of the Cheez-It Bowl.

The Sooners had true freshmen Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton as backups this yr, they usually didn’t get practically sufficient reps to be viable choices but. It’s to not say they gained’t be good gamers, however getting some confirmed commodities would assist take slightly of the developmental strain off of them.

Defensive Sort out

Oklahoma’s Jeffery Johnson (77) celebrates throughout a school soccer recreation between the College of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Household – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma gained 45-13. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma remains to be present process a schematic and philosophical change with the make-up of its defensive linemen. They added Jeffery Johnson as a grad switch from Tulane when the brand new employees obtained into place, and Johnson performed loads of efficient snaps this season.

Johnson is gone, Jalen Redmond is gone, and the Sooners will return just a few guys like Jordan Kelley and Isaiah Coe, who had some shining moments right here and there.

In the end, this protection works finest when you have got defensive linemen that may eat area and generate strain with out committing further rushers. The Sooners are nonetheless seeking notable difference-makers up entrance. They’ve added Jacob Lacey from Notre Dame, however it might be smart to proceed to construct depth on the place.

Large Receiver

Nov 26, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners vast receiver Theo Wease (10) catches a landing cross towards Texas Tech Crimson Raiders defensive nook again Malik Dunlap (24) within the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Subject. Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities

Whereas it’s flying below the radar, it’s necessary to notice that Oklahoma is dropping not less than three receivers to the portal. Trevon West, Brian Darby, and Theo Wease have all entered their names into the portal.

The massive fish, Marvin Mims, has not determined whether or not he’ll head for the NFL or if he’ll return to rehab his NFL draft inventory. In the event you embody Mims going to the NFL, that’s 4 receivers the Sooners will lose on the depth chart. Although Mims and Wease are the one ones to offer vital contributions in 2022, dropping them requires discovering extra playmakers on the place.

Linebacker

Nov 19, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker David Ugwoegbu (2) celebrates after a defensive cease towards the Oklahoma State Cowboys within the second quarter at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports activities

There haven’t been any portal defections through at linebacker. Nonetheless, Oklahoma can’t be critical about enhancing the standard of the protection and never check out among the linebackers which have already entered the portal. Competitors is nice and might solely make groups higher.

Sure, Stutsman improved, however you possibly can add much more expertise to that room. The primary linebacker recruit from the 2020 class, Justin Flowe is on the market after spending the final two years with Oregon. That’s price a flyer in itself.

Oklahoma has a number of four-star gamers that had been a part of the 2022 class that may make an influence in some unspecified time in the future, however will they be able to tackle vital snaps in 2023? Higher to have a security web if Jaren Kanak, Kobie McKinzie, or Kip Lewis aren’t prepared but.

Cornerback

Oct 29, 2022; Ames, Iowa, USA; Oklahoma Sooners vast receiver Woodi Washington (0) intercepts the ball over Iowa State Cyclones vast receiver Dimitri Stanley (14) in the course of the first quarter within the Large 12 Convention recreation at Jack Trice Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune-USA TODAY Sports activities

Cornerback, like vast receiver, has taken some hits through the portal, with Kendall Dennis and Joshua Eaton each on their manner out the door. Former four-star and five-star abilities from among the higher defensive faculties like Alabama, Clemson, Texas A&M, and Florida have hit the portal.

Will Oklahoma take benefit? They need to.

Woodi Washington’s standing for subsequent season is to be decided as he may leap to the NFL. That leaves Oklahoma with one confirmed playmaker in veteran C.J. Coldon, ought to he be awarded a uncommon seventh yr.

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Story initially appeared on Sooners Wire

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Oklahoma

Report Card: Late run not enough, Oklahoma falls 77-73 to Texas

Published

3 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

Report Card: Late run not enough, Oklahoma falls 77-73 to Texas

The Sooners showed remarkable fight, clawing back from a 23-point deficit in the second half to cut the game to just two points at one stage. Unfortunately, their late surge couldn’t erase the damage done in a disastrous first half.

In what was a must-win game for Oklahoma, they ultimately fell short, losing 77-73 to Texas. Jalon Moore led the charge in the comeback effort with an incredible second half, scoring 26 of his 29 points after the break. However, the loss drops Oklahoma to 13-4 (0-4 SEC) on the season, a troubling position for a team with postseason aspirations.

The biggest obstacle for the Sooners as they chipped away at the lead was Texas’ Jordan Pope. He poured in 27 points, 19 of which came in the second half, never allowing Oklahoma to complete the comeback.

Here’s a look at the Report Card from Oklahoma’s fourth straight SEC loss:

First Half: F-minus

At halftime, the Sooners trailed 43-27 after a first half so poor that even their remarkable second-half resurgence — where they shot an impressive 70% from the field — wasn’t enough to climb all the way back.

Oklahoma’s first-half struggles were glaring. They shot just 11-29 (37.9%) from the field and a dismal 1-8 (12.5%) from beyond the arc while turning the ball over eight times. Adding to their woes, they went a troubling 8-18 on layup attempts, missing numerous close-range opportunities.

In the SEC, the math is simple: if you turn the ball over eight times in one half and shoot 12.5% from deep, you’re not beating anybody. Oklahoma learned that the hard way.

Second Half: B-plus

Oklahoma’s performance over 16 minutes in the second half was nothing short of remarkable. They shot a scorching 14-20 (70.0%) from the field and 4-8 (50.0%) from behind the arc, nearly completing an improbable comeback.

Moore led the charge with a second-half masterpiece, scoring 26 points on a flawless 8-8 shooting from the field, 3-3 from deep, and 7-7 at the free-throw line. Yet, even with Moore’s brilliance, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

The second-half rally’s downfall? Turnovers. Much like the Texas A&M game, Oklahoma’s inability to take care of the ball derailed their comeback. Late-game turnovers from Jeremiah Fears and Duke Miles sealed the Sooners’ fate, leaving them unable to capitalize on their second-half momentum.

Starting Five: C-plus

Starting with the positives: Moore delivered another standout performance, finishing with 29 points and eight rebounds while shooting 9-13 from the field, 3-5 from behind the arc, and 8-9 at the free-throw line. Fears contributed 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, but also had six turnovers. He shot 7-13 from the field, 1-3 from deep, and 5-8 from the charity stripe.

Porter Moser experimented with a new starting lineup, inserting Brycen Goodine into the first group. Goodine played 30 minutes but struggled offensively, recording just 2 points and three rebounds on 1-6 shooting from the field and 0-3 from three-point range.

Two other starters, Miles and Sam Godwin, saw limited action in the second half, playing five and six minutes, respectively. Miles scored 4 points with six turnovers on 2-2 shooting and finished with a -22 plus-minus. Godwin managed just 1 point and two rebounds, posting a team-worst -25 plus-minus.

This starting five failed to generate strong starts in either half. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Moser experiment with another new lineup when the Sooners face South Carolina on Saturday.

Bench: B-minus

The player dragging the bench grade down is Kobe Elvis, who, in his first game off the bench this season, scored 7 points on 3-6 shooting (1-3 from three) in just 13 minutes. Elvis saw limited action in the second half, logging only three minutes.

Dayton Forsythe and Glenn Taylor were instrumental in sparking Oklahoma’s 17-3 run. Forsythe, who played all 10 of his minutes in the second half, didn’t score or attempt a shot but contributed one assist, one rebound, and had a team-high plus-minus of +14.

Taylor provided 7 points, four steals, and three assists in 24 minutes, shooting 2-6 from the field and 0-2 from beyond the arc. His energy on both ends was crucial during the run.

Mohamed Wague, Oklahoma’s best option at the five, played 17 minutes before fouling out. He finished with 3 points, seven rebounds, and a block on 1-2 shooting.

The bench provided a much-needed spark for Oklahoma, and players like Forsythe, Taylor, and Wague have made a strong case for increased playing time moving forward.

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Oklahoma

How to watch Texas vs. Oklahoma basketball: Free live stream

Published

11 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Texas vs. Oklahoma basketball: Free live stream

NORMAN, Okla. — The Red River Rivalry transitions to the hardwood when Oklahoma hosts Texas today, Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. Eastern on the SEC Network.

Several streaming services will broadcast the game live, and you can watch on Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and Sling (promotional offers).

Both teams enter this game still looking for their first win in the SEC, holding 0-3 conference records. Oklahoma held the No. 17 spot in the AP Top 25 poll last week, but dropped out of the Top 25 after back-to-back losses to No. 11 Texas A&M and No. 23 Georgia.

Overall, the Sooners are 13-3, while the Longhorns are 11-5. Both teams also enter the first of two games against each other this season on three-game losing streaks. We’ll see which team can start to turn their fortune tonight.

Here’s more details on how you can watch:

What: NCAA men’s basketball: Oklahoma vs. Texas
When: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern
Where: Lloyd Noble Center | Norman, Okla.
Channel: SEC Network
Best Streaming Options: Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling (promotional offers)

Channel finder if you have cable: You can access the channel by using the channel finders online: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV and Dish.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Turnover Disparity has Cemented its West-Leading Position

Published

19 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma City Turnover Disparity has Cemented its West-Leading Position

Since a historic season for Oklahoma City a year ago, this team has fortified itself on several fronts just under 40 games into the 2024-25 season.

From rounding out its defense with veteran Alex Caruso, bringing on Isaiah Hartenstein to provide some rebounding padding to letting the young guns grow and blossom into their game, the Thunder has many strengths.Another massive strength of theirs this season has given them many opportunities to come back from deficits and come out on top in tight games.

There are two ways to create more opportunities for shots on the basket outside of solid team defense. The first—rebounding. Without staying afloat on the defensive boards, that is a recipe for disaster and hands the opponent easy shots on goal after the rebound and deflates a defense if it’s repeated. The second—generating turnovers.

That is what Oklahoma CIty is excelling at this season. Their rebounding troubles a year ago eventually seeped in to its playoff performance and was a large part in its ultimate exit against the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder is still in the bottom half of the league in rebounds per game this season, but that’s a massive improvement from its bottom-four placement a year ago.

With that improved, the Thunder already gain an upper hand. But coupled with how often this team generates turnovers defensively along with greatly limiting its own turnovers has landed them in the top five of field goals attempted per game.

Through 39 games, Oklahoma City has tallied just 474 turnovers to place second in the NBA in that category. Inversely, the Thunder comfortably lead the league in steals with 451 on the season, or 11.6 per game. Naturally, Oklahoma City leads the league in both points off turnovers and opponent points off turnovers.

It’s a game-changer to have this success in taking care of the ball while also the whole team acting as a ball hound. If the Thunder sustains this, it’s difficult to see anyone in the Western Conference besting them as of now.

Want to join the discussion? Like Thunder on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

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