Men’s hoops: Blake Griffin (non)update
By Scott Wright
There’s been lots of talk today about the possibility that Blake Griffin could be back early from his injury. After visiting with Blake and coach Jeff Capel today before the Sooners practiced, here’s what I can tell you.
Blake has done some shooting and dribbling drills with the team the last couple days and he went through the pre-practice stretching for the first time today — even did a little jogging.
He says the knee is more flexible now, especially after having it drained of fluid Monday. He also said it might have to be drained again.
Capel, Griffin and team trainer Alex Brown all agree that the timetable for his return to action is not currently known, so it isn’t any different than the initial diagnosis. That means he could still be looking at up to 2 1/2 weeks before he gets back.
Softball: OU ranked No. 5 in preseason
The Oklahoma softball team will open the 2008 season ranked No. 5 as the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Preseason Poll was released on Wednesday afternoon. It marks the fourth time in the 14-year history of the poll that the Sooners have received a top-five preseason ranking.
OU will buy software to track compliance
The OU Board of Regents approved the purchase of $155,000 in computer software today. The new software will help the athletic department track NCAA compliance issues — continuing to fix the problems that came up after the Kelvin Sampson and Rhett Bomar issues.
Read the board’s agenda after the jump.
Volleyball: OU recruit is nation’s best prep setter
Oklahoma volleyball incoming freshman Brianne Barker has earned the 2007 Andi Collins Award, recognizing the nation’s best high school senior setter. Barker is no stranger to success as the Amarillo, Texas, native is also the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and LoneStarVolleyball.com Player of the Year.
“This is an outstanding honor and accomplishment for Brianne,” OU head coach Santiago Restrepo said. “We are thrilled that she is going to be at the University of Oklahoma next year.”
The 5-9 setter led Amarillo High School to back-to-back state championships during her junior and senior seasons while earning MVP honors of the state tournament twice. Barker finished her senior season with 1,091 assists, 244 kills, 299 digs and also led the team with 75 aces.
Barker also plays club volleyball for the Amarillo Elite and will report to Oklahoma in fall of 2008.
Football: D.J. Wolfe prepares for the Senior Bowl
D.J. Wolfe is trying to make a splash at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. and try to impress all of those NFL scouts.
Read more here.
Softball: Season preview continues
Soonersports.com continues its season preview for the OU softball team.
Recruiting: 3 ‘Bama blue chippers to come to Norman
By Jake Trotter
NORMAN — Sooner fans might want to steer clear of Alabama for a while.
Three of the nation’s top football recruits, all from Alabama are scheduled to visit Norman this weekend, according to SoonerScoop.com.
That includes five-star receiver Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.), five-star athlete Burton Scott (Prichard, Ala.) and four-star defensive back Robert Lester (Foley, Ala.), the latter two having already verbally committed to the Crimson Tide.
Jones is considered to be the top wide receiver prospect in the country.
Scott, the No. 28-ranked player in the nation according to Rivals.com, could play either slot receiver or cornerback in college.
Lester, high school teammates with Jones, will probably play safety.
OU already has the No. 7-ranked recruiting class in the nation according to Rivals after nabbing three top-100 payers in the last three weeks.
Overall, the Sooners have commitments from seven top-100 recruits.
Wrestling: Iowa State up next for OU
The Oklahoma wrestling team looks to get back on the winning track Friday against No. 9 Iowa State (11-3) at 7 p.m. at the Howard McCasland Field House in Norman.
The Sooners (11-2, 0-1 in the Big 12) are coming off a defeat by No. 13 Wisconsin in last weekend’s ESPNU Wrestling Invitational in Oklahoma City. Battling back after a 9-0 deficit and tying the match at 15, OU came up short in the last bout, losing 18-15.
Wednesday’s links: Recruiting buzz and props for Griffin
Good afternoon. Here are some OU-related links to chew on. (Just hit the new Chipotle in Edmond. Good stuff.) - Mike Koehler
* A look around the Big 12 recruiting buzz.
* The Sporting News looks at how Taylor Griffin is rescuing the Sooners.
* Another award for Adrian Peterson.
* Blogger looks ahead to the 2008 Sooner season.
* Five-star defensive end for 2009 likes OU.
* Texas Tech women talk Paris twins.
* How about ranking the Top 200 NFL prospects?
Recruiting: Gooden to Mizzou
Safety Zaviar Gooden, of Pflugerville, Texas, has commited to Missouri. Gooden was considering the Sooners as well as Oklahoma State, but decided to be a Tiger after his visit to Columbia.
Also, OU’s other safety target, Victor Johnson of Waco, apparently has commited to OSU.
– By Jake Trotter
