OU on five star QB’s radar
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
There is a new Vince Young in Texas, and he has OU on his radar.
Quarterback Russell Shepard, a five star quarterback (according to Rivals.com) from Cypress Ridge High School in Houston, Texas, is expected to visit OU later this year on an official recruiting visit.
Cypress Ridge coach Gary Thiebaud said more than a dozen Division I programs, including Southern California, have offered Shepard scholarships.
Thiebaud said Shepard is thought of as a Vince Young style quarterback in Texas, where he rushed for more than 1800 yards and 38 touchdowns in his last two seasons. He averaged 8.7 yards per carry as a junior.
Shepard took a recruiting visit to Louisiana State last weekend with teammate Hasan Lipscombs. OU is one of Lipscombs choices according to Rivals, but Thiebaud said he was unsure if Lipscombs is interested.
Lipscombs, a New Orleans native, was forced to move to Houston after Hurricane Katina. Thiebaud said Lipscombs grew up as an LSU fan, and that LSU recently offered him a scholarship.
Stay tuned to NewsOK for more on Lipscombs and Shepard.
OU atop Brown’s list
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
Bixby tight end Greg Brown said OU is the frontrunner in a long list of schools that have shown interest in the junior.
“OU showed interest before most of the other schools,” Brown said. “That’s why they are the frontrunner.”
Brown said schools such as Oklahoma State, which signed four tight ends in its 2008 recruiting class, hurt their chances.
“I really like OSU,” Brown said. “But it’s not as appealing if there are already a lot of good players in my position.”
Brown is also interested in Kansas, Kansas State,Tulsa, Missouri and Stanford.
Women’s golf: Next stop, Puerto Rico
The No. 34 University of Oklahoma women’s golf team looks to get back to its winning ways Feb. 24-26 at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The tournament, hosted by Purdue, begins Sunday at the par-72, 6,000-yard Coco Beach Resort.
Women’s basketball: Bedlam game notes
No. 11/10 Oklahoma (19-5, 9-3 Big 12) seeks revenge in the Bedlam rematch with No. 16/17 Oklahoma State (21-4, 9-3 Big 12) at the Lloyd Noble Center Saturday, Feb. 23.
The game will broadcast on Fox Sports Net with Kevin Eschenfelder on play-by-play and Brenda Van Lengen on color analysis. Listen on the radio (KOKC 1520 AM in Oklahoma City) as Brian Brinkley and Tara Pogue have the call.
Tip-off is 1:05 p.m. Central.
Men’s hoops: Capel discusses Blake’s comments
By Scott Wright
Jeff Capel seemed a little reluctant to discuss it at first, but ended up talking for a couple minutes about Blake Griffin’s future and the freshman’s decisison to discuss his plan to likely stay in college next season rather than turn pro. Here’s what Capel had to say:
“Blake and I agreed that we’ll talk about it at the end of the year. I want what’s best for Blake. That’s what I want. Whatever that is, whatever he feels is best for him, whatever his family thinks, I’ll go with it. I’ll support him 1000 percent.”
“Everyone should know, the kid’s a pro. It’s just a matter of when he wants to go. We’ll see when the time comes. We’ll talk about it more in-depth, he and I will, with his family. We’ll make the best decision for him. This is not a decision for Oklahoma. This is a decision for Blake Griffin.”
Men’s hoops: Willie gets another All-America nod
By Scott Wright
Already chosen as a McDonald’s All-American, Oklahoma signee Willie Warren was named to the Jordan Brand All-America Team Thursday.
You can check out the roster here.
Warren is among the 21 high school seniors on the roster who will play at Madison Square Garden April 19.
Men’s hoops: OU vs. Texas game notes
Here are are the game notes for OU’s game against Texas
Teams: Oklahoma (18-8, 6-5) vs. No. 7 Texas (22-4, 9-2)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 23
Tip: 2:39 p.m. CST
Site: Austin, Texas (Frank Erwin Center)
Radio: Sooner Radio Network (KRXO 107.7-FM in OKC; KMOD 97.5-FM in Tulsa; Sirius 122)
TV: ABC (KOCO Ch. 5/Cox 8 in OKC; KTUL Ch. 8/Cox 8 in Tulsa)
Series: Oklahoma leads 45-25
Tennis: Women play home match Saturday
The OU women’s tennis team opens the first of six straight home contests Saturday, Feb. 23, when it host Alabama at The Greens Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City.
Matches will begin at 1 p.m.
OU lands ‘09 commitment
By Jake Trotter
OU’s second commitment is Terry Franklin, a 6-4 DE from Mansfield, who committed to OU on Thursday. He joins Dewar’s Ronnell Lewis on the 2009 Sooner commitment list.
Men’s hoops: Willie Warren a McDonald’s All-American
University of Oklahoma signee Willie Warren was named to the 2008 McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Team on Tuesday night during a selection show that aired on ESPNU. Warren, the only McDonald’s All-American signed by a Big 12 school, will be a member of the 12-man West team.
