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Injuries to Key Big Men Prove Catastrophic for OKC

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Injuries to Key Big Men Prove Catastrophic for OKC


Choosing Gonzaga middle Chet Holmgren with the second total choose within the 2022 NBA Draft was presupposed to be step one in fortifying the Oklahoma Metropolis’s inside protection. 

Holmgren, who was heralded for his defensive prowess in highschool and school, averaged a whopping 3.7 blocks per recreation as a freshman. His size, footwork and intelligence give the previous five-star recruit plug-and-play potential when he his wholesome. 

Because of Holmgren’s season-ending damage over the summer time, nonetheless, OKC entered the season already at an obstacle within the frontcourt. With Aleksej Pokusevski and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl now out of the lineup with accidents of their very own, the Thunder are missing depth at middle. 

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Oklahoma Metropolis now depends on Jaylin Williams, Eugene Omoruyi, Darius Bazley and Mike Muscala to occupy the large man roles on a nightly foundation. Within the staff’s earlier two outings, 6-foot-10 second spherical rookie Jaylin Williams has been the staff’s tallest starter with 6-foot-8 guard Josh Giddey working because the squad’s second-tallest starter. 

This has created points for the Thunder on each ends of the ground, as OKC has missed the rim safety talents of Pokusevski and the power of Robinson-Earl on protection whereas lacking the ground spacing every present on offense. Moreover, Oklahoma Metropolis has been outrebounded in every of its final two video games. 

Within the staff’s New 12 months’s Eve matchup towards the Philadelphia 76ers, celebrity middle Joel Embiid recorded a triple-double on the Paycom Heart. Whereas Embiid is a spectacular participant, it’s doubtless that Pokusevski and Robinson-Earl would’ve given the Thunder a greater likelihood at slowing down the previous Kansas Jayhawk. 

Offensively, the staff is lacking the output that their two injured huge man often present. Between Pokusevski, a 37.6% 3-point shooter, and Robinson-Earl, a 38% shooter from past the arc, OKC is lacking out on over 17 factors and 10 rebounds per recreation. 

Within the two video games since Poku and JRE appeared on the damage report, Jaylin Williams, Omoruyi, Bazley and Muscala have pitched in a mixed 14 factors, three lower than Pokusevski and Robinson-Earl mix to common in a single recreation.

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With their two important huge males sidelined for the foreseeable future, it seems as if Oklahoma Metropolis will wrestle early within the New 12 months.  


Need to be a part of the dialogue? Like SI Thunder on Fb and follow us on Twitter to remain updated on all the newest Thunder information. You can even meet the staff behind the protection.





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Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma

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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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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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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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