Oklahoma
Thunder In Review: Oklahoma City Starts Season Strong, Wear Down Lakers

Each recreation has its personal story.
All through the week on SI Thunder, we’ll be breaking down the twists and turns, wins and losses, and rising storylines all through the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 2021-22 marketing campaign.
At the moment, Oklahoma Metropolis’s first 14 video games come to the desk.
The Thunder entered the season with extra benchmarks forward than expectations. Loaded with 10 prospects aged 23-or-under, Mark Daigneault’s crew had been critiqued early resulting from their general inexperience and lack of a steady middle. Nonetheless, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming back from a long-term damage and No. 6 Decide Josh Giddey slated to log NBA minutes – there have been a number of potential storylines at hand.
A transparent studying curve was in play to open the season, as four-consecutive losses, headlined by a 33-point loss to the Houston Rockets, pushed them to the underside of the standings. Then, they strolled into Laker city.
After trailing 56-30 within the second quarter, Oklahoma Metropolis tied their largest comeback in franchise historical past, rallying behind a 41-point third body to defeat the Lakers 123-115.
The Thunder’s California tour continued over the week, falling to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively. Then, the Lakers have been again in motion – and so have been the comebacks.
In a contest that noticed Los Angeles grasp a 19-point lead, Oklahoma Metropolis rallied a clutch-time 35-24 fourth-quarter run to the Lakers by three. Gilgeous-Alexander’s star efforts shined on the sport, busting out 11 fourth-quarter factors emphasised with a 34-foot bomb from the emblem.
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The Thunder’s L.A. tour planted a seed to start out November because the group wrung out three extra three-consecutive single-digit wins – blazing previous the Spurs, Pelicans, and Kings. After the conclusion of their four-game streak, Daigneault’s crew had encroached on Play-In territory. Oklahoma Metropolis’s regular 5-6 begin swung the pendulum because the Los Angeles Clippers’ decide, owned by the Thunder, carried extra draft worth on the time.
A mid-month sputter noticed the group draw three video games beneath .500 earlier than Oklahoma Metropolis bought their revenge in opposition to the Houston Rockets, cashing in a 12-point victory behind 34 factors from Lu Dort.
By the closure of their first 14 – Oklahoma Metropolis drew a 6-8 document, maintaining themselves within the Play-In dialog.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s opening assertion to the common season had a bevy of highs. Pushed by Gilgeous-Alexander, the 23-year-old had not misplaced a step, averaging 21.1 factors and 4.6 assists to open play.
Josh Giddey shot down naysayers as he made important strides because the secondary playmaker, opening his first 14 video games averaging 9.4 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. Giddey’s play yielded severe stat traces early, together with an 18-point, 10-rebound recreation in opposition to the Lakers.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl confirmed the makings of a draft steal, snagging the beginning middle spot 5 video games into the season as a pick-and-pop 5 subsequent to SGA.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s first month of play mapped a tough blueprint. However, as showcased within the following video games, their cluster of potential grew far past expectations.
Wish to be a part of the dialogue? Like SI Thunder on Fb and follow us on Twitter to remain updated on all the most recent Thunder information. You too can meet the workforce behind the protection.

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Drone intercepts Oklahoma tornado

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Can Oklahoma State baseball make run in Big 12, NCAA tournaments? Examining Cowboys resume

A month ago, it was fair to turn and look away from Oklahoma State baseball.
The Cowboys looked nothing like themselves. Losses piled up. The offense struggled. The pitching was worse.
Sitting below .500, the belief was that OSU would miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time under coach Josh Holliday.
My, how things can change.
There are few teams hotter than the Pokes entering conference tournament week. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of Arizona State. They’ve won 9 of 10 games.
OSU is suddenly back in the NCAA Tournament picture, too.
The Cowboys enter the Big 12 Tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday as the No. 7 seed. They’ll face Baylor at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.
Here is what to know about OSU entering the postseason:
Oklahoma State baseball resume
- Record: 27-22 (15-12 Big 12, 7th)
- RPI: 45th (through May 18 games)
- Projected seed: USA TODAY: No. 3 seed in Chapel Hill Regional (last four in); D1Baseball: No. 3 seed in Corvallis Regional
- Notable: The Cowboys’ mid-season struggles and cancellation of several Big 12 games can be overlooked in part to a tough schedule. OSU’s strength of schedule ranks No. 11 in the country, according to D1Baseball.com’s RPI.
OSU baseball Big 12 Tournament preview
Never count out the Cowboys in this tournament.
The format is different — an increase to 12 teams and a change to single elimination — but the talent is just the same under Holliday.
The Cowboys get a boost by opening with Baylor, a team they took two of three from and nearly swept on the road less than two weeks ago.
But this is no easy field. Eight teams are ranked in the top 50 RPI and all 12 are in the top 90.
Should the Cowboys win, they face No. 2-seeded Kansas. The Jayhawks swept OSU in late March, signaling the downturn of OSU’s season. Another win could mean a date with No. 3 TCU.
Though that appears daunting, the Cowboys have won this tournament four times, including last season.
Why Oklahoma State baseball can make a run in NCAA Tournament
First, the Cowboys have to get in.
Though projections are favorable — Baseball America and D1Baseball.com both have OSU in as of Tuesday — a win or two in Arlington will go a long way to make them feel safe.
But get in and the Cowboys face significantly less pressure than the past three seasons. There will be no home regional, which OSU has lost each year at O’Brate Stadium since 2022.
Getting away from Stillwater could be a positive.
Plus, it helps that OSU has a bona fide ace in left-hander Harrison Bodendorf, who leads the league with 10 wins and is tied for second with a 2.43 ERA.
Mario Pesca and Hunter Watkins have also become reliable starters in the rotation.
And don’t forget about the Cowboys’ offense that can overwhelm opponents.
Slugger Nolan Schubart is third in the conference with 17 home runs after a slow start. Colin Brueggemann is not far behind with 14. And Brayden Smith has become a lightning bolt for the Cowboys’ lineup.
OSU has outscored its opponents 80-27 over the last 10 games.
Why OSU baseball can’t make a run in NCAA Tournament
Even though getting away from O’Brate Stadium might make some OSU fans who remember the past all too well feel a little better, it shouldn’t.
OSU is 18-12 at home and 5-12 in true road games.
That’s far from ideal.
So, which bullpen will show up? The one that has been rock solid in the final month or the one that was a total disaster in March?
Legendary pitching coach Rob Walton has worked his magic turning the staff around before he enters retirement. But things can turn in an instant for any college pitcher.
And though the Cowboys can slug, there are issues with the lineup. Schubart and Brueggemann are prone to strikeouts. And facing a team with strong lefties can neutralize the duo.
Oklahoma
What channel is Kentucky baseball vs Oklahoma on today? How to watch SEC Tournament 2025

3 scariest SEC baseball teams to face in the 2025 conference tournament
The Montgomery Advertiser’s Adam Cole breaks down why Auburn, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the toughest teams to play in the 2025 SEC baseball tournament.
Kentucky baseball is set to begin postseason play this afternoon against Oklahoma.
The 13th-seeded Wildcats (29-23, 13-17 SEC) will face the 12th-seeded Sooners (33-19, 14-16) in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama.
Kentucky will attempt to replicate its magical postseason last year, when it reached the College World Series.
This is the fourth time the Wildcats are playing the Sooners this season; Kentucky won the previous three matchups.
Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky’s first game in the SEC Tournament, including bracket, schedule, seeding and more:
- Date: Tuesday, May 20
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Texas (42-11)
- Arkansas (43-12)
- LSU (42-13)
- Vanderbilt (39-16)
- Georgia (42-14)
- Auburn (38-17)
- Ole Miss (37-18)
- Tennessee (41-15)
- Alabama (40-15)
- Florida (37-19)
- Mississippi State (34-20)
- Oklahoma (33-19)
- Kentucky (29-23)
- Texas A&M (28-25)
- South Carolina (28-28)
- Missouri (16-38)
All times Eastern.
First round: Tuesday, May 20
- Game 1: No. 9 seed Alabama vs. No. 16 seed Missouri | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 2: No. 12 seed Oklahoma vs. No. 13 seed Kentucky | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 3: No. 10 seed Florida vs. No. 15 seed South Carolina | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 4: No. 11 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 14 seed Texas A&M | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Second round: Wednesday, May 21
- Game 5: No. 8 seed Tennessee vs. Game 1 winner | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 6: No. 5 seed Georgia vs. Game 2 winner | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 7: No. 7 seed Ole Miss vs. Game 3 winner | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 8: No. 6 seed Auburn vs. Game 4 winner | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 22
- Game 9: No. 1 seed Texas vs. Game 5 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 10: No. 4 seed Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Quarterfinals: Friday, May 23
- Game 11: No. 2 seed Arkansas vs. Game 7 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 12: No. 3 seed LSU vs. Game 8 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Semifinals: Saturday, May 24
- Game 13: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 1 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
- Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 4:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Championship: Sunday, May 25
- Game 15: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.
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