Category: Oklahoma Sooners

As Aaron Rodgers continues to be the center of attention, the question arises: is TJ Watt the best defensive player that Rodgers has ever played with since Charles Woodson? The answer is likely yes. With Mike Tomlin at the helm, Rodgers would experience a very different coaching dynamic compared to his previous teams, particularly when compared to coaches like Robert Saleh or Brian Daboll. Tomlin, an established coach with a Super Bowl ring (and another potentially in the books had it not been for Rodgers), could bring a level of consistency to the table that Rodgers hasn’t seen in recent years. Steelers fans, known for their desire for a change, are eager for a fresh approach—Rodgers could be just what they need to break the mold.

The potential for success in Pittsburgh with Rodgers is high. Coming off an NFL MVP win as recently as 2021, Rodgers would likely perform better than he did with the Jets, thanks to the stronger supporting cast and coaching stability in Pittsburgh. Expectations in Pittsburgh are also far different than what he faced in New York. But with the potential for greatness comes risk: Rodgers led the Jets to a disappointing 5-12 record in 2024, and while that doesn’t guarantee a similar outcome in Pittsburgh, it does leave room for uncertainty.

Brandt weighed in on this situation, saying, “This thing. This Rodgers thing… maybe it’s like Vikings-era Brett Favre, maybe it’s Broncos-era Peyton Manning.” There’s a chance Rodgers catches fire and revitalizes the offense, but there’s also the possibility of a collapse, as we saw last season. However, Brandt suggested that even a potential down year might have its benefits for Pittsburgh: “Maybe they go 5-12, and that might not be the worst thing going into next year. For once you can actually have a decent draft pick.” That could mean the Steelers finally secure a high draft pick, something the fanbase has been clamoring for after years of late-round selections. A higher pick could be the key to solving their quarterback issues.

While Rodgers gives Pittsburgh a shot at success, the Steelers also have the potential to position themselves for the future, possibly setting themselves up with a favorable pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This could help them address the long-standing issue at quarterback. After a stretch of non-losing seasons, Pittsburgh fans are eager for a change of direction and a chance to build for the future.

In the latest NFL Free Agency update, the Steelers seem to have gotten a quarterback, but the big question remains—will Rodgers help them succeed, or will they be looking at a fresh start sooner than expected? Time will tell.

Reporting live on No. 10 Oklahoma’s tough 93-75 loss to No. 5 South Carolina in the semifinal round at Bon Secours Wellness Arena today.

Here are the key takeaways from the game:

Perimeter Defense: Oklahoma came into this game with strong perimeter defense, and they lived up to the reputation. South Carolina, which had averaged 33.5% shooting from three-point range this season, struggled throughout the game. The Gamecocks attempted 15 threes but only managed to make two, resulting in a dismal 13.3% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.

However, despite their strong perimeter defense, Oklahoma racked up 22 personal fouls, which allowed South Carolina to capitalize and score 19 points off free throws.

Payton Verhulst Shines: Despite the loss, senior guard Payton Verhulst was a standout performer for the Sooners. Verhulst led Oklahoma’s scoring efforts, finishing with 15 points. She was particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting three of six three-point attempts. Her shooting percentage from deep this season sits at 35.3%.

Not just a scorer, Verhulst contributed in other areas too—delivering nine assists and securing six rebounds, showing off her all-around game.

South Carolina’s Dominant Defense: On the other side of the court, South Carolina’s defense proved to be a major hurdle for Oklahoma. The Sooners’ offense had a rough time, plagued by turnovers—a recurring issue for them this season. The Gamecocks took full advantage of this, forcing Oklahoma into 16 turnovers and converting those into 22 points.

South Carolina’s defense was also relentless in terms of steals and blocks, swiping the ball seven times and blocking six shots from the Sooners.

Looking ahead, Oklahoma will head back to Norman, where they’ll prepare for their first game of March Madness at the Lloyd Noble Center.

That’s all from here. Stay tuned for further updates!

More news…..

South Carolina Women’s Basketball Preview of SEC Game Against Oklahoma

The South Carolina Gamecocks breezed through their first-round matchup against Vanderbilt, but Saturday’s contest against Oklahoma promises to be a much tighter affair.

As the SEC Women’s Tournament enters its semifinal phase, the No. 1-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks are set to face off against the No. 5 overall seed, Oklahoma. Both teams are ranked in the top-10 in women’s college basketball, making this game a highly anticipated showdown.

South Carolina vs. Oklahoma Prediction: ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Gamecocks an 86.6% chance to win, while the Sooners are given a 13.6% chance.

South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma Betting Line Update: According to FanDuel, South Carolina enters as a 12.5-point favorite, with the total set at 152.5 points.

Oklahoma’s head coach, Jennie Baranczyk, shared her thoughts on how to slow down the powerhouse Gamecocks, saying, “Well, I don’t know that. I don’t know, they are so good. It’s a game of runs and South Carolina is so good. And how many times have they played in this building, I just want us to come out here to compete.” She continued, “You don’t stop them, you just try to do the best you can.”

How to Watch: South Carolina Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma

• GameDay: Saturday, March 8th
• Game Time: 4:30 PM EST
• Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina
• Broadcast: SEC Network+

Good afternoon, basketball fans! We’re in for an exciting college hoops showdown today as the Oklahoma Sooners host the Tennessee Volunteers in what promises to be a thrilling match. Oklahoma, on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament bubble, will look to make a statement against the fourth-ranked Volunteers, who are fighting for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Dance.

Can Tennessee’s renowned defense contain a high-scoring Sooners team averaging nearly 80 points per game? Will Oklahoma, led by freshman star point guard Jeremiah Fears, who is questionable due to injury, pull off a major upset and ignite a court-storming at the Lloyd Noble Center? Let’s break it down.

Betting Preview: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

The betting odds, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, are accurate as of Saturday, February 8, 2025:

• Spread: Tennessee -5, Oklahoma -4
• Money Line: Tennessee -218, Oklahoma +180
• Over/Under: 138.5 points
• Game Time: 12 p.m. ET
• Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
• Broadcast: ESPN

Oklahoma comes into this matchup with a 16-6 record, including a 3-6 mark in SEC play. They’ve covered 50% of the time this season but only 44% in conference games. However, they’ve been performing better lately, covering in four of their last five outings.

The Sooners are an up-tempo team, and 13 of their 22 games have hit the over, with 6 of 9 in SEC play reaching that mark. At home, 8 of 12 games have surpassed the point total.

On the other hand, Tennessee boasts a 19-4 record, with four losses all coming in SEC play. The Volunteers are 14-9 against the spread (ATS) this season, and they’ve covered 60% of the time when favored. Defensively dominant, Tennessee’s games often stay under the listed point total, with just 9 of their 23 games surpassing it. In SEC play, four of their 10 games have hit the over.

Power Rankings and Betting Insights

Surprisingly, the CSN Power Rankings have Oklahoma favored by -4, likely due to their home court advantage and four Quad 1 victories. In contrast, Tennessee is ranked much lower than their No. 4 spot in the AP Poll, sitting at No. 21 in the CSN rankings. Oklahoma comes in at No. 46 but still favored in this matchup.

Prediction: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

Tennessee has racked up seven Quad 1 wins, and another victory here would add to that impressive list. However, they’ll face a tough challenge in Norman, where the Sooners will be hungry for an upset, especially with Jeremiah Fears leading the charge.

Fears, averaging 15.9 points and 4.2 assists per game, has been a key factor in Oklahoma’s three conference victories. However, his status for the game is in question due to injury. If he can’t play, it could seriously impact the Sooners’ chances. Oklahoma will rely heavily on their leading scorer, 6’7″ senior Jalon Moore, who is averaging 17.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

As for Tennessee, they are led by Zakai Ziegler, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, who averages 12.7 points and 7.5 assists per game. Ziegler’s defensive presence will be crucial against a high-scoring Oklahoma team. Fifth-year senior Chaz Lanier has been a great addition for Tennessee, leading the team with 17.5 points per game, while Igor Milicic Jr., another senior, provides versatility on both ends of the floor.

With or without Fears, I predict this game will stay under the 138.5 point total. Tennessee’s defense and Ziegler’s pressure on Oklahoma’s ball handlers will likely keep the score lower than expected. While the Volunteers’ previous game saw an 85-81 finish, that’s more of an anomaly for them.

I also like Tennessee to cover the -5 spread. The Volunteers are the stronger team overall, and despite a potential upset-minded Oklahoma team, Tennessee’s depth and experience should carry them to a double-digit win.

Final Picks:

• Tennessee -5
• Under 138.5 points

Prediction: Tennessee 73, Oklahoma 62

Stay tuned for more updates as we head into this high-stakes matchup!

As we look back at Oklahoma’s 2024 season, one of the most glaring weak spots on the team was their tight end unit, a tough reality considering the struggles of both the quarterback and offensive line. It’s still puzzling that the coach responsible for this unit is sticking around, but there’s hope for the future, and that optimism rests squarely on the shoulders of one key player: Davon Mitchell.

Mitchell, a former elite recruit, made the leap from the class of 2025 to 2024, offering a glimmer of hope for a position that desperately needs to step up. The four-star tight end brings immense athleticism to the table and holds the potential to become a game-changer for Oklahoma’s offense by 2025.

That said, Mitchell’s freshman year wasn’t smooth sailing. He spent much of the season focused on adapting to the offense and getting his body into prime shape, which ultimately led to the team exploring other options at tight end. But here’s where the shift began: during the team’s bowl game preparations, Mitchell started to turn heads. Coaches were quick to praise his growth throughout the month off before their matchup with Navy, signaling a bright future ahead.

While 2024 didn’t quite see Mitchell find his rhythm within the Sooners’ offense, there’s nothing stopping him from stepping into a featured role under Ben Arbuckle, the new offensive coordinator, in 2025. With Oklahoma desperately needing playmakers to support quarterback John Mateer, Mitchell’s potential has never been more crucial.

In fact, his expected breakout might explain why the Sooners weren’t overly aggressive in seeking additional talent for the tight end position via the transfer portal. Instead, they concentrated their efforts on keeping key players, with Mitchell’s potential being a major factor in their decisions.

The tight end position has been a weakness for Oklahoma for years now, and as we head into 2025, Mitchell just might be the answer they’ve been waiting for. The Sooners need someone to step up, and Mitchell could very well be that player.