Oklahoma

Three Quick Takeaways From Oklahoma’s Spring Game

Published

3 years ago

April 23, 2022

Three Quick Takeaways From Oklahoma’s Spring Game

NORMAN — Brent Venables lastly made his on-field debut as Oklahoma’s head coach on Saturday.

In entrance of 75,360 followers for the Spring Recreation, the Purple Group defeated the White Group 21-17 at Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

There’s nonetheless an extended street between now and when OU kicks off the 2022 season on Sept. 3 towards UTEP, however there have been some notable performances in Oklahoma’s spring finale.

Dillon Gabriel Debuts within the Crimson and Cream

Oklahoma’s subsequent quarterback obtained loads of run in entrance of his new fanbase on Saturday.

Taking part in all-time quarterback for a majority of the primary half, Dillon Gabriel confirmed command of Jeff Lebby’s offense.

Gabriel completed finishing 19-of-28 passes for 250 yards and one landing, throwing only one interception.

Taking part in behind divided offensive traces for each groups, Gabriel additionally confirmed he was comfy evacuating the pocket to choose up yards on the bottom.

The Hawaiian additionally appeared to have early connections with Marvin Mims, Drake Stoops and Theo Wease, usually focusing on the trio of skilled playmakers.

Gabriel has already drawn rave critiques from his teammates as a result of his calm demeanor behind the scenes, and it’s straightforward to see how that’s helped him stay unfazed when the reside bullets are flying in an precise recreation.

Brent Venables’ Protection Has Arrived

Lengthy the envy of Oklahoma followers since his departure, Venables’ protection is again house in Norman.

In only one spring scrimmage, Venables and defensive coordinator Ted Roof confirmed extra selection than the protection did most of final 12 months, throwing loads of totally different seems at Lebby’s offense all afternoon lengthy.

The brand new workers introduced a clean slate to the protection, and there have been a number of beneficiaries of that on Saturday.

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Cornerback Joshua Eaton had a pleasant day, getting in on a number of move defenses and ending with a deal with.

True freshman Jaren Kanak additionally made his debut in entrance of the OU crowd, lining up on the newly dubbed “Cheetah” spot for the Purple Group.

Kanak had no bother protecting the sphere sideline-to-sideline, recording one deal with on the afternoon.

Marcus Stripling and Ethan Downs additionally flashed on Saturday, because the Sooners will look to interchange Nik Bonitto and Isaiah Thomas in 2022.

Barnes Exhibits Out

True freshman operating again Jovantae Barnes has drawn rave critiques thus far this spring, and he confirmed why on Saturday.

Barnes carried the ball 17 instances, speeding for 60 yards and two touchdowns in his Spring Recreation debut.

Although his longest carry was a 13-yard acquire, Barnes saved his legs churning after contact and pushed the pile on a few performs.

With Marcus Main a non-participant on the day and Eric Grey simply getting restricted run, Barnes took benefit of his alternative to point out why he must be an element within the operating again rotation within the fall.

Fellow true freshman Gavin Sawchuk will hyperlink up with the crew this summer time, giving Lebby and DeMarco Murray a pleasant steady of 4 backs who ought to have the ability to carry the load on the bottom this 12 months for Oklahoma.

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Oklahoma

Report Card: Oklahoma moves to 11-0 with an 87-86 win over Michigan

Published

7 minutes ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Report Card: Oklahoma moves to 11-0 with an 87-86 win over Michigan

The No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners are now 11-0 after a wild 87-86 win over No. 24 Michigan, erasing an 11-point second-half deficit. Freshman Jeremiah Fears was the star down the stretch, finishing with 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play in the final seconds, to push OU to victory.

Fears wasn’t alone. Duke Miles contributed 17 points, with three big three-pointers, including a clutch shot during a 9-0 run that gave the Sooners their first lead of the second half. Jalon Moore also had 16 points before fouling out late.

The two seven-footers for Michigan — Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf — were a tough matchup for OU, as they are for most teams. Goldin dropped 26 points, while Wolf added 15. Both grabbed 10 rebounds for double-doubles.

Tre Donaldson (14 points) and Roddy Gayle (15 points) also had solid performances for Michigan. But in the end, it was Fears’ late heroics that sealed it for the Sooners. Now, let’s dive into the Report Card from Oklahoma’s ranked win:

MVP: Jeremiah Fears

It was a slower first half for Fears, but he continued to get to the line, drawing fouls at a high rate and racking up points from the free throw line. In the second half, though, he broke loose, scoring 20 of his career-high 30 points, including the game-winning four-point play.

In 34 minutes of action, Fears also recorded five turnovers and four assists. He shot 8-12 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and 11-13 from the free throw line—making his 30-point performance even more impressive.

Oklahoma needed big-time shot-making from their guards if they were going to pull this one out, and Fears delivered, showcasing why he’s likely a future NBA lottery pick.

Fears has proven to be the biggest difference-maker in Porter Moser’s tenure at Oklahoma. The Sooners simply haven’t had a player who can do what he does. He showed the clutch gene that could make a huge impact as OU heads into SEC play.

Starting Five: A-minus

Fears was phenomenal, but Miles’ impressive play down the stretch cannot be overlooked. Oklahoma starts three guards, and we’ve seen each of them have their nights scoring-wise. The recipe for success, though, is having two of those guards clicking at once, and tonight, Fears and Miles delivered.

Miles totaled 17 points — 15 of which came in the second half — on 5-11 shooting from the field, 3-6 from behind the arc, and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. He hit several clutch shots, including one three-pointer that gave Oklahoma their first lead of the night.

Moore also contributed, adding 16 points on 4-12 shooting from the field and 3-5 from deep, despite being in foul trouble for much of the night. He ultimately fouled out late in the second half.

Sam Godwin chipped in with 6 points and 7 rebounds on 3-6 shooting, while Kobe Elvis added 5 points on 2-7 shooting, including 1-4 from behind the arc. With Fears going for 30, Miles putting up 17, and Moore adding 16, the starters had a strong night overall.

Bench: B-plus

Glenn Taylor stepped up in a big way for Oklahoma. Playing 29 minutes — second most on the team — Taylor totaled 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He shot 3-5 from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc.

Taylor was a key defensive presence throughout the entire game, but he also contributed offensively, particularly in the first half. He scored 8 first-half points and hit two timely three-pointers. His all-around play, making several small but important contributions, helped Oklahoma secure the win.

In other bench news: Luke Northweather scored 2 points on 1-2 shooting in 14 minutes, while Brycen Goodine added 2 points on 1-2 shooting in 11 minutes. Dayton Forsythe had a solid 5-minute stint, and Mohamed Wague played just two minutes.

Rebounding: B

It’s important to note that Michigan’s two seven-footers posed a tough matchup for Oklahoma, and heading into the game, it was expected that the Wolverines would win the rebounding battle. They did, 37-32, but the Sooners kept it close, losing the battle by just five. Given the size disparity, losing by just five on the boards is a solid effort for OU.

Three-Point Shooting: A-plus

The Sooners were red-hot from beyond the arc, shooting 6-12 (50%) in the second half and finishing 12-25 (48%) for the game.

This sharp shooting played a huge role in their comeback win. With Michigan building an 11-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining, OU knew they needed to keep knocking down shots from deep—and they did just that. Miles, Fears, and Moore each hit three three-pointers, while Taylor contributed with two of his own.

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Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

Published

8 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 11-0 on the 2024-2025 college basketball season with an incredible come-from-behind win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Jumpman Invitational.

Jeremiah Fears dazzled with a career-high 30 points, including the game-tying three with 11 seconds remaining, and after being fouled on the three, put the Sooners ahead for good at the foul line.

The Oklahoma Sooners are 11-0 for just the second time in the last 10 years and are now 2-0 against top-25 opponents this season.

Sooners Battled

Porter Moser’s squad showed incredible toughness in the win over the Wolverines. Michigan boasts two of the better big men in the nation in Vladisl Goldin and Danny Wolf. The two combined for 41 points, including 27 first half points.

But Moser made adjustments, and the Sooners defense battled back in the second half to limit the two to just 14 points. Despite being undersized on the inside, Jalon Moore, Sam Godwin, Luke Northweather, and Glenn Taylor Jr. took the fight to the Wolverines impressive big men.

The Sooners overcame 11-point deficits on two different occasions in the second half to take a four-point lead late in the half. And even after they allowed Michigan to take over and go up three with just over a minute to play, Moser drew up a great play to get Fears just enough space to hit the game-tying three with just 11 seconds to play.

It was a resilient win for the Sooners. Through 11 games, Oklahoma looks like a team ready to make a tournament run.

Phenomenal Freshman

Jeremiah Fears has been impressive throughout the season, but he took his game to another level in the win over Michigan. He was 8 of 12 from the field, 3 of 4 from three, and 11 of 13 from the free throw line to lead the Sooners.

His previous career high came in Oklahoma’s other top 25 win of the season against the Arizona Wildcats. Fears has put together his best performances for Oklahoma’s toughest tests.

In the final five minutes of the Sooners’ comeback win, Fears accounted for seven of Oklahoma’s final nine points to earn the win.

He’s been sensational this season and looks every bit the part of a future NBA Draft Lottery Pick.

Three’s the Difference

The Oklahoma Sooners were outrebounded by six on the offensive glass, but they overcame Michigan’s edge on the boards with a really good night shooting from a distance.

Oklahoma was 12 of 25 from three, while Michigan was just 4 of 28 from downtown. Moore, Fears, and Duke Miles each hit three triples and Taylor added a pair off the bench.

If the Sooners can continue to shoot with consistency from three, they’ll be really tough to beat this season. Especially as Fears and Moore continue to finish in the paint.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Published

16 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Oklahoma transfer DB Makari Vickers committed to Colorado, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Vickers spent two seasons in Norman, but took a redshirt this past year. He played in four games, totaling one tackle in that time. That came after eight appearances in 2023 when he had eight tackles and a pass defended as a true freshman.

Vickers played high school football at Tallahassee (FL) Robert F Munroe Day School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 83 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes have once again been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle. Makari Vickers marks the seventh commitment for Colorado and is the latest splash on Wednesday.

Colorado picked up a notable commitment from former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter on Wednesday. He will join elite signee Julian Lewis in the Buffs’ quarterback room and arrives as the No. 11-ranked quarterback to hit the portal so far, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

This past season, Salter threw for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 579 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. That came after a breakout 2023 campaign when he had 2,876 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in the air to go with 1,089 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in the running game.

Over the course of four seasons, Salter had 5,889 yards, 56 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, a 58.7% completion percentage, 2,006 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He will have one year of eligibility remaining as he makes his way to Boulder.

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