Recruiting: OU has trio in this weekend
Our friends over Sooner Illustrated have a list of three recruits visiting Norman this weekend, including four-star junior college safety David Sims. With Reggie Smith and Curtis Lofton off to the NFL, OU could use a safety.
Here’s the list.
- Mike Koehler
Recruiting: OU after Houston DB
A story from today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette says the Sooners are trying to lure Houston-area cornerback Josh Hill in for a visit.
Read it here.
- Mike Koehler
Granger hearing today
DT DeMarcus Granger has his bond forfeiture hearing today in Tempe, Ariz. He has a warrant out for his arrest after failing to appear at his arraignment hearing a couple of weeks ago. Granger could have the warrant quashed if he makes a deal with the judge or pays the $1,000 fine.
Granger was arrested before the Fiesta Bowl, accused of shoplifting.
– Jake Trotter
Women’s basketball: OU gets ready for Baylor
Here are the game notes for the OU women’s game against Baylor on Sunday. A must win? – Mike Koehler
Oklahoma vs. Baylor
No. 11 Oklahoma (11-3, 2-1 Big 12) hosts No. 6 Baylor (15-1, 3-0) in the second tilt of OU’s five-game January home stretch. Sunday is “Cheer Like a Champion” Day as 12,000 limited edition white T-shirts distributed for fans in attendance will brighten the Lloyd Noble Center. A capacity crowd is expected. Approximately 10,400 tickets have been sold.
The game airs on ESPN2 with Pam Ward and Kara Lawson on the call.
Tip-off is 2:02 p.m. Central.
Record Watch
Courtney Paris is 27 rebounds shy of former Baylor star Sophia Young’s Big 12 career rebounds record. Young totaled 1,316 between 2002-06.
Wrestling: Dr. Death in Norman tonight
Former University of Oklahoma All-American and professional wrestling sensation Steve Williams, most famously known as “Dr. Death,” will be recognized and honored in Norman tonight when the No. 18 Sooners host No. 16 Tennessee-Chattanooga at 7 p.m. at the Howard McCasland Field House.
“Dr. Death was one of the greatest and most unique athletes OU has ever produced.” head coach Jack Spates said. ”He was also one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time after he graduated from the University.”
Tennis: Men’s team opens season this weekend
The University of Oklahoma men’s tennis team begins its season this weekend when it travels to Wichita, Kan., for the 2007-08 Shocker Invitational.Oklahoma faces competitors from Arkansas, Illinois State and host Wichita State.
“We are excited to begin our season and this is a great event for us to begin with because there will be some excellent competition in Wichita,” head coach Paul Lockwood said.The event, which runs through Sunday, will follow an individual format with singles and doubles flights. A winner will be determined by a point system.The Sooners begin play on Saturday when they face Wichita State in doubles action at 1 p.m.
That is followed by a 4 p.m. singles match with Wichita State.“This will be a great test for all of our players because as the season progresses the competition will improve and we need to begin by playing tough competitive tennis,” Lockwood continued.
Sunday, Oklahoma will face Illinois State at 9 a.m. in singles action followed by doubles matches with the Redbirds at 11 a.m.
All matches will be played at the Genesis Health Club and Crestview Country Club. .
Men’s basketball: Game notes for Texas Tech
In an effort to get everything in the world of Sooner sports on this blog, we’ll be posting everything we get from OU, including today’s men’s basketball notes. Enjoy – Mike Koehler.
GAME SPECIFICS
Teams: Oklahoma (12-5, 0-2) vs. Texas Tech (10-6, 1-1)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 19
Site: Norman, Okla. ( Lloyd Noble Center)
Tip: 3:01 p.m.
Radio: Sooner Radio Network (KOKC 1520-AM in OKC; KTBZ 1430-AM in Tulsa; Sirius 107) TV: ESPN Plus (KOCB 34/Cox 11 in OKC; KJRH 2/Cox 9 in Tulsa); ESPN Full Court Series: Oklahoma leads 25-16
GAME PREVIEW
Oklahoma (12-5, 0-2) looks to break a two-game losing skid when it plays host to Texas Tech (10-6, 1-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m. inside Lloyd Noble Center. The Sooners, who are slotted No. 33 in this week’s AP poll, have lost to Kansas State and No. 3 Kansas in their two Big 12 games. Texas Tech followed its league-opening loss at Oklahoma State with a 15-point home win over No. 10/9 Texas A&M on Wednesday. OU is 8-2 at home this year while the Red Raiders are 1-4 in road games. Saturday’s contest will air on the Sooner Radio Network (KOKC 1520-AM in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430-AM in Tulsa; Sirius channel 107) with Bob Barry Sr. and Mike Houck announcing. The game will be televised regionally by ESPN Plus (KOCB 34/Cox 11 in Oklahoma City; KJRH 2/Cox 9 in Tulsa) and ESPN Full Courtwith Dave Armstrong and Stacey King calling the action.
Gymnastics: OU meets Nebraska, Air Force
Same teams, different setting. One week after sweeping Air Force and No. 10 Nebraska at the Rocky Mountain Open, the third-ranked Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team faces both teams again, this time at the Bob Devaney Center in Lincoln, Neb. The meet, scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 20 is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
“Even though the teams will be the same it will be a totally different environment,” head coach Mark Williams said. “Nebraska always brings their A game on their home floor.”
Softball: OU ranked No. 2 in Big 12 poll
The University of Oklahoma softball team was picked to finish second by the Big 12 coaches in the annual preseason poll, which was released by the league office on Thursday. The Sooners were one of three teams to receive a first-place vote and picked up 70 total votes while Texas A&M was tabbed the league favorite with 79 total points.
“These polls are great to use for motivation, but the preseason poll means nothing because it just matters where you finish at the end of the season,” head coach Patty Gasso said. “These polls are usually based on how well a team does in the prior season and every team is different from year to year. I’m excited to see what our team does this year.”
Oklahoma returns seven starters, including three All-Americans, that helped produce one of the most successful Sooner campaigns in school history last season. The 2007 Big 12 Postseason Champions finished 55-8 and compiled the program’s second-highest winning percentage, behind the 2000 National Championship squad that posted a 66-8 record.
(more…)
Let’s start off with some links
To kick things off on the new OU blog, here are some links to stories around the web about the Sooners. - Mike Koehler
* OU recruit Stacy McGee says he had a feeling he’d head to the Sooners.
* Here’s a theory: What OU football and American Idol have in common. We’re all ears.
* Traber and Eschbach talk with Stoops.
* Eschbach blogs about the Jay Norvell hire.
* Book on the best stories in Texas sports includes a bit about Barry Switzer.
* Local blogger Crimson and Cream Machine offers his thoughts on the state of OU basketball here.
* If you’re crazy enough to want to fire Stoops, this blogger says to check yourself.
* An update on the OU gymnastics team.
