Oklahoma

What will 2025 bring for Oklahoma State athletics? We make 25 bold predictions for Pokes

Published

1 year ago

December 29, 2024

What will 2025 bring for Oklahoma State athletics? We make 25 bold predictions for Pokes

STILLWATER — The new year is always a good time for prognostication.

Oklahoma State enters the 2025 calendar year with a mix of excitement, hope and curiosity — and maybe a hint of anxiousness — depending on the sport you’re following.

So let’s dive into what’s ahead for the Cowboys and Cowgirls with 25 predictions for 2025:

Football

1. A 9-win season for the Pokes

After a dramatic and difficult offseason, coach Mike Gundy and his rebuilt coaching staff turn the Cowboys around. They triple their win total from 2024, posting a nine-win season and contending for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game until the final weekend of the regular season.

2. Rodney Fields Jr. has a breakout year

A native of Wright City and a graduate of Del City High School, Fields becomes a homegrown star, rushing for over 1,000 yards in his redshirt freshman season.

3. Malik Charles is Big 12’s top defensive newcomer

The Cowboy defense’s breakout player will be one who has yet to play a major college snap. OSU fans, familiarize yourself with West Georgia transfer Malik Charles, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end who didn’t fully dedicate himself to football until after high school.

4. Gabe Panikowski contends for another trophy

New OSU placekicker Gabe Panikowski is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award one year after he won the Fred Mitchell Award as college football’s top kicker below the FBS level.

5. A speedy NFL combine showing for Korie Black

Korie Black runs a top-five time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, helping to boost his draft stock.

6. Ollie Gordon II goes early in the NFL Draft

Also benefiting from a strong performance at the combine, running back Ollie Gordon II is the first Cowboy selected in the NFL Draft, going in the second round.

7. Six Pokes drafted

Receiver Brennan Presley is picked in the seventh round of the draft, making it six former Pokes to be chosen in the three-day event.

Wrestling

8. OSU wrestling back atop Big 12

With several wrestlers making deep runs through their brackets, OSU returns to the top of the Big 12 with a championship at the BOK Center in Tulsa, edging Missouri and Arizona State in the championship session.

9. Four Cowboys reach NCAA wrestling finals

With four wrestlers reaching the NCAA finals, the Cowboys finish second to Penn State in the chase for a national title, announcing themselves as a legit threat to the Nittany Lions’ dynasty.

10. Special recognition for David Taylor

In his first season leading the Cowboys, David Taylor is named college wrestling coach of the year after guiding OSU to a resurgent season that establishes the basis of the program’s expectations going forward.

Women’s basketball

11. A 3-pointer record for the Cowgirls

Cowgirl basketball sets the Big 12 record for 3-pointers in a game with 21 — if not more. They’ve already tied the record of 20 in a game earlier this season, and Micah Gray set the OSU record, making 10 in a game.

12. A ‘W’ in the Big Dance

The Cowgirls get their first NCAA Tournament win under head coach Jacie Hoyt, who gave birth to her first child, a daughter, in mid-December.

Men’s basketball

13. Four league wins on the hardwood

Despite showing notable improvement on the court, the men’s basketball team ends with the same number of Big 12 wins as it did a year ago. The current version of the conference is a murderers’ row, particularly for a program trying to rebuild.

14. Bryce Thompson to the G League

Getting his professional shot the nearly same way former Cowboy and current Golden State Warrior Lindy Waters III did, OSU guard Bryce Thompson lands on the roster of the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue.

Baseball

15. Nolan Schubart drops 30 bombs

Slugging outfielder Nolan Schubart hits 30 home runs on his rise to being a first-round selection in the MLB Draft.

16. A road regional win for Cowboy baseball

The baseball team fails to earn an NCAA Regional host berth as a top-16 seed, but advances to the Super Regional round on the road, falling one win short of a spot in the Men’s College World Series.

17. Happy Holliday goes No. 1

Though he’s committed to OSU, Ethan Holliday never makes it to campus. The nephew of Cowboy coach Josh Holliday follows in the footsteps of older brother Jackson in being selected No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft.

Softball

18. Karli Godwin sets Cowgirl homer record

Softball’s Karli Godwin breaks the program record for home runs in a season with 21. The record of 20 is held by Sam Show. Godwin hit 15 homers last year, setting the OSU freshman record.

19. Cowgirls conquer Big 12

The softball team asserts its dominance over the new-look Big 12 with an overpowering run to win the regular-season title, followed by a Big 12 Tournament championship as well.

20. Sixth straight WCWS trip

For the sixth straight time, OSU earns a spot in the Women’s College World Series, coming in Kenny Gajewski’s 10th season as coach.

Tennis

21. A banner to hang

Cowgirl tennis brings the school its first NCAA national championship in women’s athletics. OSU won the ITA indoor title last season, but that isn’t an officially recognized NCAA championship.

Equestrian

22. An equestrian five-peat

On its way to another strong showing at nationals, OSU equestrian wins the Big 12 Championship for the fifth straight time.

Golf

23. Elite Eight for men’s golf

Relying on a consistently balanced lineup, Cowboy golf advances to the matchplay bracket as a top-eight team in the NCAA Championships.

Olympics

24. Golden going for gold

Once again showing off her broad athletic talents, former OSU women’s basketball and track athlete Bailey Golden qualifies for the 2026 Olympics as part of the USA Bobsled team.

Facilities

25. New facilities on the horizon

OSU announces that it has the funding for an indoor track facility and a new softball stadium, along with breaking ground on the previously announced Boone Pickens Human Performance Innovation Complex.

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Oklahoma

Where to watch Oklahoma vs. Idaho in March Madness First Round: Time, TV Channel

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch Oklahoma vs. Idaho in March Madness First Round: Time, TV Channel

March Madness is underway and college basketball’s big dance continues with No. 4 seed Oklahoma taking on No. 13 seed Idaho in a First Round matchup on Friday, March 20. Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the clash between the Vandals and Sooners.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering women’s March Madness to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

What time is Idaho vs Oklahoma First Round game?

No. 4 Oklahoma vs No. 13 Idaho tips off at 10:00 PM (EST) on Friday, March 20 from Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, Oklahoma).

What channel is Idaho vs Oklahoma First Round game?

No. 4 Oklahoma vs No. 13 Idaho is airing live on ESPN.

How to stream Idaho vs Oklahoma First Round game

No. 4 Oklahoma vs No. 13 Idaho is available to stream on Fubo.

Watch the NCAA Tournament all March long with Fubo

Women’s March Madness schedule today

See the schedule, live scores and resultsfor all of Friday’s NCAA Tournament action here.

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

March 18-19: First Four
March 20-21: First Round
March 22-23: Second Round
March 27-28: Sweet 16
March 29-30: Elite 8
April 3: Final Four
April 5: National Championship

Join the USA TODAY Survivor Pool to win cash prizes

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Oklahoma

Huskers roll past Troy for first NCAA Tournament win in program history

Published

19 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Huskers roll past Troy for first NCAA Tournament win in program history

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (WOWT) – Nebraska men’s basketball has finally broken through in March.

The 4‑seed Huskers dominated 13‑seed Troy, 76–47, at Paycom Center on Thursday, securing the first NCAA Tournament win in program history and advancing to the Round of 32.

Nebraska blew the game open in the first half and never let Troy back in. The Huskers led 41–25 at halftime and stretched the margin throughout the second half, turning what many expected to be a tricky 4‑13 matchup into a statement win.

Pryce Sandfort powered Nebraska’s offense, pouring in 23 points, including 7 three‑pointers, as the Huskers consistently found clean looks and pushed the pace. Nebraska’s defense was just as sharp, bottling up Troy’s shooters and controlling the glass to deny the Trojans second‑chance opportunities.

Troy, the back‑to‑back Sun Belt champion, came in with five straight 20‑win seasons and a reputation for balance and toughness. But Nebraska’s size, depth and shooting wore the Trojans down as the game went on. Earlier in the day, Husker fans packed the Skirvin Hotel for a send‑off and then turned Paycom Center into a home‑away‑from‑home, roaring as Nebraska closed in on history.

Nebraska now awaits its Round of 32 opponent as the South Region bracket continues to unfold.

HALF – Nebraska 41, Troy 25
The #Huskers established the paint early, and opened up the floor for the Pryce Sandfort Show.
17 Pts, 5-8 from 3pt range. Complete dominance with his brother in the house to watch. #GBR pic.twitter.com/1dgnWqjrjI
— Clayton Collier (@ClaytonJCollier) March 19, 2026
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Oklahoma

100 Years of the Mother Road: Wellston’s Route 66 revival

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

100 Years of the Mother Road: Wellston’s Route 66 revival

WELLSTON, Okla. –

As we highlight the centennial of Route 66, News On 6 is taking a look at how one Oklahoma town fought for the Mother Road, suing when developers wanted to bypass it. Today, that court decision is still having an impact, as the community is seeing a resurgence 100 years in the making.

The midpoint of Route 66 in Oklahoma

Of the 400 miles of Route 66 in Oklahoma, one town sits right in the middle.

“We’re the midpoint of Route 66 in Oklahoma, which is kind of a cool thing to hang our hat on,” Route 66 Commission Chairman Thomas Tillison Jr. said.

The town of Wellston is halfway to Texas, halfway to Missouri and at one point in time was a key point along the Mother Road.

“We have photos of businesses down here — Main Street is packed. Every spot is full. Over time, it became less and less,” Andrew Steffenson said.

Like so many other small towns along Route 66, time ticked on, interstates moved in and people moved away. Wellston, though, faced an additional challenge: in the 1930s, developers almost took this town essentially off the map.

“As far as locally here, that’s a point of frustration for our small town, because it kind of crushed our small town,” Tillison said.

Tillison has lived here since 1980 and, like others here, is well versed on the town’s complicated history and strong resilience.

“We were a thriving community”

The year was 1932. Route 66 was six years old. Wellston was hotter than ever.

“We were a thriving community,” Tillison said. “We had multiple cotton gins, mercantile stores, car dealerships, pharmacies; our downtown was thriving.”

But federal highway planners wanted to straighten Route 66 in spots by creating a shorter, more direct path west. In Wellston, that meant a new alignment south of town, which became known as the “gap.”

“When they bypassed us, we look at more of a bypass than a gap,” Tillison said.

Knowing what it would do to traffic and the local economy, locals quickly fought back. By 1933, residents filed several lawsuits, which eventually made it all the way to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The Court sided with the town, meaning the highway department was ordered to pave and maintain the loop through Wellston. But despite the victory, the gap was paved as well.

“It just has slowly deteriorated since we were bypassed because we weren’t the main thoroughfare anymore,” Tillison said.

By 1939, the number of cars on the gap exceeded the number on the loop.

Restoring Wellston’s History

Today, the town of Wellston is still a very unique spot along Route 66. There is Route 66, but a loop called 66B takes you into the town of Wellston.

Along 66B, Steffenson runs one of the few businesses on the loop and has old pictures in his office.

“It’s nice to see how Wellston was and how it could be,” Steffenson said.

He and many others in town are working to restore its history. New murals and landmarks are popping up, with plans for more this year. But perhaps the biggest draw to Wellston in recent years has to do with the smell of barbecue.

The Butcher BBQ Stand is a Wellston restaurant only open for lunch on weekends, but one that is gaining some fame outside of Oklahoma.

“Cutting meat and barbecuing on the weekends literally has been my whole life forever,” owner Levi Bouska said.

Bouska opened it in 2015 after growing up barbecuing with his dad and grandparents.

“When I first opened, it was just a 40-foot Conex, and everyone stood outside and waited in line,” Bouska said.

Word soon spread, and then people followed. And not just Oklahomans. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, a line forms out front, long before the doors even open, with many of them taking Route 66 to visit Wellston specifically.

It’s something that’s been years in the making, and something people here hope is a sign of things to come.

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