Oklahoma
New Year’s Resolutions: Oklahoma City Thunder Edition
The brand new yr is upon us. It’s a time of remembrance, of recent beginnings, and constructive change. As 2023 approaches, there are a couple of resolutions that the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder would possibly need to think about.
A decision is a promise to your self to do or to not do one thing in hopes of bettering oneself. The phrase descends from the Latin phrase, “resolvere,” which means to loosen or launch.
These guarantees are normally accompanied by objectives – objectives designed to loosen or launch a person, or on this case, a franchise, from undesirable penalties.
Listed here are three resolutions Oklahoma Metropolis can undertake in 2023.
Get One other Massive Man
Do you know that the Thunder have allowed essentially the most rebounds per 100 possessions? They permit the eighth-most factors within the paint, too. This can be a byproduct of getting ill-equipped and undersized facilities on the roster whereas enjoying within the Western Convention.
Aleksej Pokusevski is a real seven-footer, however he weighs in at simply 210 kilos. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is listed at 230 kilos however is simply 6-foot-9, doesn’t have loads of size, and lacks the best mobility to defend perimeter gamers. Jaylin Williams is a rookie that has an intriguing offensive sport and brings an unimaginable mixture of dimension and intelligence to the desk however is proscribed by his dimension, relative lack of athleticism, and inexperience.
Mike Muscala is much like Robinson-Earl however is the higher flooring spacer and is taller, however simply doesn’t reduce it on protection and at 31 years outdated, doesn’t match the Thunder’s timeline long-term. And the Thunder appeared to have already moved on from fourth-year mission, Darius Bazley. Sure, a completely wholesome Chet Holmgren might be becoming a member of the group subsequent yr, however it’s by no means clever to imagine and it by no means hurts to make upgrades to a struggling frontcourt.
So given the totality of the circumstances surrounding Oklahoma Metropolis’s frontcourt, the addition of a extra formidable huge man may assist the Thunder squeeze essentially the most out of their present season. It’s been some time for the reason that franchise has had an impactful heart that might rim-run, seize boards, and shield the paint.
Play Each Quarter Likes It’s the Third Quarter
The Thunder are placing up the fifth-most factors per 100 possessions within the third quarter, however rank within the backside 10 in factors scored in each different body, time beyond regulation excluded. If Head Coach Mark Daigneault can bottle no matter magic is occurring and solid that very same spell on the remainder of the sport, the Thunder may actually take an enormous leap as a group.
Per sport, Oklahoma Metropolis is scoring 30.7 factors within the third body, which ranks second proper behind the Memphis Grizzlies. That is because of an energetic protection and an emphasis on rebounding that’s giving the Thunder further possessions. The Thunder are additionally capitalizing on their alternatives as nicely, taking pictures 48.9% from the sector, 37% on 8.5 3-point makes an attempt, and changing 83.2% of their 5.5 journeys to the free throw line.
Unleash Tre Mann
After a formidable run of video games to cap off 2021-22 that showcased all of what Tre Mann needed to provide, you’d suppose the Thunder would have tried to faucet into {that a} bit extra this season. That hasn’t been the case.
Sure, the 6-foot-5 ankle-breaker is averaging over 20 minutes per sport this season, however has a utilization price of simply 21.1% and is taking simply 9 photographs per sport. Simply 9. A rhythm shooter like Mann wants extra of a runway to interrupt his sport open.
Mann has poured in 17 factors for the Thunder in every of his final two contests and is coming off of back-to-back monster video games he performed within the G League. On December twenty first, Mann scored 35 factors and went 7-for-11 from downtown. The following night time, Mann dropped a cool 40-piece on the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Because the Thunder inch nearer to the top of the season and into Mann’s third yr within the NBA, it could be a disgrace to not discover all of his potential and stifle his growth. So let Mann fly and see what he might be. Which means giving him extra minutes and an even bigger function this season and the entrance workplace could should make some modifications for that to occur, however he might be an enormous a part of the way forward for this franchise.
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Oklahoma
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.
Oklahoma
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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Miami Basketball: Canes drop second straight game to Oklahoma State 80-74
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team fell to the Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-1), 80-74, Friday afternoon at TD Arena in the Hurricanes’ (3-2) second game of the 2024 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic.
Down 17 with five minutes to play in the game, the Hurricanes connected on seven of their final ten shots to pull to within six of the Cowboys, but time ultimately ran out on Miami’s comeback.
Guard Nijel Pack recorded his second 20-point game of the season, totaling 20 points to lead the Hurricanes in scoring.
Forward Brandon Johnson tallied his first double-double of the season with 12 points and ten rebounds, pacing the Hurricanes’ on the glass.
Oklahoma State took control early, opening the game on a 9-0 run. Miami cut the lead to three thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Blackmon and Pack, but the Cowboys responded with a 7-0 run to extend their lead to double-digits, 20-10, with 10 minutes to play in the first half.
The Cowboys shot 53.3 percent from 3-point range in the first half, increasing their lead to 16, 43-37, at the halftime break.
Oklahoma State took its largest lead of the game, 51-31, at the 14:35 mark in the second half, but Miami responded with an 11-4 run to cut the deficit to 13 at the midway point of the frame.
The Hurricanes shot 58.1 percent from the field in the second half, and four Miami players scored eight-plus points in the final 20 minutes of play, but they could not complete the comeback.
On Sunday, Miami will play VCU or Nevada at 12:30 p.m. ET at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C.
Courtesy of Miami Athletics
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