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Dynamic Duo Continues To Emerge In Oklahoma City

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2 years ago

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Dynamic Duo Continues To Emerge In Oklahoma City


The perfect groups within the NBA have celebrity duos, if not trios. The best way the fashionable recreation is performed, it’s all about having depth within the common season to beat adversity whereas additionally having elite expertise on the prime to make a deep playoff push.

Regardless of being the youngest staff within the NBA, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder seemingly have discovered their star duo of the longer term. Particularly for the reason that All-Star break, veteran Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie Jalen Williams have been one of the efficient pairs within the league.

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These two will finally be a part of a trio sooner or later down the highway, alongside Chet Holmgren or one other future acquisition through draft or commerce, at which level this Oklahoma Metropolis staff will possible be competing for a championship.

Not solely have Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams put up nice numbers for the reason that break, however they’ve additionally impacted successful at a excessive degree. The Thunder are 8-3 over this span when each of them play.

Whereas these two have been the headliners of the staff of late, it’s actually been a gaggle effort general. Mark Daigneault really deserves NBA Coach of the Yr recognition, as he’s taken a staff projected to complete within the backside three of the NBA to a prime ten web ranking on the season. The Thunder are nonetheless legitimately in play for residence court docket benefit within the first spherical of the playoffs with just some weeks left within the season.

Not solely is OKC overachieving beneath the route of Daigneault, however he’s getting essentially the most out of each single participant. All three rookies on the staff are making contributions and he’s even discovered methods to combine a number of veterans into the lineup all year long to carry out at a excessive degree.

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The Thunder don’t have a starter over 24 years outdated, but they’re .500 on the season and inside two video games of the No. 4 seed within the Western Convention. The staff is absolutely purchased in, which can is a credit score to Daigneault and his employees.

Whereas each participant on the roster has made an influence this season, it’s really been Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams which have moved the needle of late.

Because the break, Gilgeous-Alexander has inserted himself into no less than being part of the MVP dialog whereas averaging 35.0 factors, 7.2 assists and 6.5 rebounds per recreation. When an MVP resume, his means to hold such a younger staff to the postseason given expectations is extraordinarily spectacular. No matter who Oklahoma Metropolis is taking part in, Gilgeous-Alexander is sort of all the time one of the best participant on the ground.

Alongside him, we’ve seen the shocking ascension of Williams, who was the No. 12 general choose within the 2022 NBA Draft. Whereas he impressed early within the season, he’s turned it up over the previous month as he makes his case for NBA Rookie of the Yr.

Since taking part within the Rising Stars Problem in the course of the break, he’s averaged 19.2 factors, 6.2 boards and 4.3 assists per contest whereas taking pictures 40% from past the arc. He’s one in all 57 gamers throughout the league averaging no less than 19 factors over this span. Williams additionally ranks prime ten in factors, rebounds and assists amongst rookies whereas being prime ten in subject aim, free throw and 3-point effectivity.

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It goes past the field rating with regards to Williams’ influence as a primary yr star. Not solely is he wildly efficienct, however he’s additionally one of many extra versatile younger gamers within the league. Throughout completely different factors of his rookie marketing campaign, the 21-year-old has performed all 5 positions on each ends of the court docket.

Whereas the Thunder will proceed to herald extra excessive upside expertise within the coming years by way of the draft and trades, it seems the cornerstone duo is undamaged with Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams. As quickly as subsequent season with the debut of Holmgren, Oklahoma Metropolis may really declare itself to the league, if that doesn’t already occur the 2022-23 marketing campaign.



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Oklahoma

Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma

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4 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma


NORMAN, Okla.–– Alabama has one final road test to pass in the regular season if it wants to compete for an SEC title and make it back to the College Football Playoff.

The No. 7 Crimson Tide plays at Oklahoma on Saturday night in the first matchup as conference foes in the SEC. BamaCentral will have coverage all night from Norman. Follow along for updates.

BE SURE TO REFRESH YOUR BROWSER FOR THE LATEST UPDATES

(latest updates at the top)

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Who: Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (5-5, 1-4)

When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium

TV: ABC/ESPN+

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts).

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Series: Oklahoma leads 3-2-1

Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Sooners in the Capital One Orange Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff 45-34. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns while the Crimson Tide rushed for 200 yards across 42 carries between Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris.

Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide dominated Mercer 52-7 at home behind three touchdowns from Jalen Milroe and two touchdowns from Ryan Williams. The Alabama defense forced three more turnovers as they’ve now forced 16 in the last five games, making life challenging on opposing offenses.

Last time out, Oklahoma: The Sooners were off this past week, but went to Missouri two weeks ago and lost 30-23 after losing a fumble for a touchdown in the game’s final minutes. Oklahoma’s played five conference games and only won at Auburn this season.



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Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma

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12 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma


After falling twice away from home already this season, No. 7 Alabama will look to avoid a potential trap game in its final road trip of the regular season. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 5-2 in the SEC) will visit Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

This will be the seventh matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Sooners hold a 3-2-1 advantage in the series, but the Tide won the most recent meeting, recording a 45-34 victory in the 2018 Orange Bowl. Alabama is currently a 14-point favorite for Saturday’s game, according to the Caesars Sportsbook.

Here’s how Tide Illustrated’s staff thinks the game will play out.



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Oklahoma State Offers 2026 Bixby DB Braeden Presley

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21 hours ago

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November 23, 2024

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Oklahoma State Offers 2026 Bixby DB Braeden Presley


The stark reality of the Cowboys future on the gridiron is up in the air.  Can Oklahoma State bounce back in 2025 following one of the worst football seasons in years?  Will the Pokes return next season and play with a chip on their shoulder?  Only time will tell and the best way to improve the football team is for the coaching staff to hit the recruiting trail hard.

Oklahoma State will say goodbye to one of the greatest statistical wide receivers to ever wear the Cowboy orange.  Senior Brennan Presley has been the cornerstone of the receiving core for the past four seasons.  He is the all-time receptions leader in Oklahoma State history and has caught more than two passes in nearly every game since his sophomore season.

The offense won’t be the same in 2025 with Presley snagging catches across the middle, but the fans of Cowboy football won’t have to wait long as a familiar name will be entering the mix straight out of the class of 2026.

On Thursday, Oklahoma State looked to make it the Presley trifecta when they offered the youngest of the bunch, 2026 Bixby star Braeden Presley.  Older brothers Brennan and Braylin both committed to Oklahoma State out of high school.  Brennan hung around to become the all-time receptions leader in school history while Braylin transferred to Tulsa.

Braeden is the biggest brother of the bunch and measures in at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, according to 247Sports.  He is unranked at the moment but still has a full season of football yet to play.  The interest continues to grow for Braeden who has drawn offers from Tulsa, Boston College and Kansas.

Oklahoma State joined the mix on Thursday and is hoping to use its family ties to lock up their third straight Presley.  Little is known about Presley on the field, and he has proven this season that he is a jack of all trades.  He has logged a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and passing touchdown this season for the Spartans of Bixby.

A majority of his highlights have come on the defensive side of the football.  He has 27 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in 2024 for a Bixby team who is searching for yet another Class 5A State Championship.

The fans of Oklahoma State football may not have to wait very long to have a Presley once again under the lights of Boone Pickens Stadium.

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





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