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Opinion: Oklahoma City Should Add Another Center Out of Necessity

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Opinion: Oklahoma City Should Add Another Center Out of Necessity


After Oklahoma Metropolis’s dwelling loss to Joel Embiid and the 76ers, the Thunder’s obvious weaknesses appear to be looming giant. An already skinny entrance courtroom, OKC is desperately lacking the roster’s makeshift facilities in Aleksej Pokusevski and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, however even past the accidents, the Thunder’s lack of a real heart is proving pricey.

Oklahoma Metropolis remains to be (clearly) a methods away from actual playoff rivalry, however even outdoors of advocating for wins, the Thunder want an enormous man on the roster. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension to stardom has allowed the Thunder to hold round as one of many NBA’s middling groups. If a current slide continues, although, this season might shortly change to the identical tempo of the final two seasons.

The loss to Philadelphia makes it three losses in 4 video games. Including insult to harm, the losses got here throughout a stretch the place the Thunder had a critical likelihood to make up some floor. The loss to the 10-27 Charlotte Hornets, adopted by Saturday evening’s blowout, Oklahoma Metropolis now not has any momentum in any way. And not using a huge man, it’s easy. The Thunder get bullied.

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In Charlotte, the Hornets entrance courtroom loved a stroll within the park. P.J. Washington netted 25 factors on 10-of-13 taking pictures, Miles Plumlee added 14 factors and 9 rebounds on 6-of-7 taking pictures and Jalen McDaniels chipped in 12 factors off the bench. Rookie heart Mark Williams, who appeared in his sixth ever NBA recreation towards the Thunder, scored career-highs throughout the board with 17 factors and 13 rebounds, recording an ideal 7-of-7 from the ground.

Whereas Philadelphia, with Joel Embiid, is a a lot totally different look than the Hornets, Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless struggled to restrict the massive man’s affect on the sport. Embiid recorded a uncommon triple double of 16 factors, 13 rebounds and ten assists, showcasing his means to take action many alternative issues. Montrezl Harrell additionally netted 9 factors and 6 rebounds off the bench. The 76ers scored 69 first-half factors and led by 26, whereas the Thunder spent the rest of the competition making an attempt to make it look just a bit bit nearer.

If Pokusevski and Robinson Earl stay out for an prolonged time period, Oklahoma Metropolis ought to do no matter it takes so as to add an enormous man to the roster. The crew can solely study and develop a lot when hindered by such an enormous drawback from tip-off. Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander want an enormous man to advance sure components of their particular person ability units, and rising as a core could be best.

In fact, Chet Holmgren was speculated to be that piece earlier than happening with a season-ending harm. However now that it’s occurred, and Oklahoma Metropolis’s entrance courtroom took two extra sizable blows, the Thunder should adapt and add one other physique on the roster. Not for successful functions, to not push for the play-in, however merely to play basketball. Oklahoma Metropolis’s lack of depth on the place is hurting greater than serving to.


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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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Miami Basketball: Canes drop second straight game to Oklahoma State 80-74

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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.

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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.

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Courtesy of Miami Athletics



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