Crimson And Cream Machine

NCAA Tournament - Thursday Evening Thread

2010-03-18T22:08:52Z

Your Thursday evening session games:

6:10 p.m CDT

(8) UNLV
(9) Northern Iowa

Vegas: PICK

KenPom: UNI, 58-57

PB: UNI 60-58

6:15 p.m. CDT

(1) Kentucky
(16) E. Tennessee St.

Vegas: Kentucky -18.5

KenPom: Kentucky 77-60

PB: Kentucky 75-54

6:20 p.m. CDT

(6) Marquette
(11) Washington

Vegas: Marquette -1

KenPom: Marquette 72-71

PB: Washington 74-69

6:25 p.m CDT

(3) Georgetown
(14) Ohio

Vegas: Georgetown -13.5

KenPom: Georgetown, 78-66

PB: Georgetown, 72-57

8:30 p.m. CDT

(1) Kansas
(16) Lehigh

Vegas: Kansas -25.5

KenPom: Kansas 90-63

PB: Kansas 84-54

8:40 p.m. CDT

(3) New Mexico
(14) Montana

Vegas: New Mexico -9

KenPom: New Mexico 72-65

PB: New Mexico 69-60

8:45 p.m. CDT

(6) Tennessee
(11) San Diego St.

Vegas: Tennessee -3.5

KenPom: Tennessee 65-64

PB: Tennessee 69-66

NCAA Tournament - Thursday Afternoon Thread

2010-03-18T20:27:55Z

Launch MMOD Player

Your afternoon session Thursday games:

1:30 p.m CDT

(4) Vanderbilt
(13) Murray State

Vegas: Vandy -2.5

KenPom: Vandy, 73-70

1:50 p.m. CDT

(7) Richmond
(10) St. Mary's

Vegas: Richmond -1.5

KenPom: SMU 68-67

1:55 p.m. CDT

(3) Baylor
(14) Sam Houston St.

Vegas: Baylor -10

KenPom: Baylor 83-69

H/T to PB for the threads

NCAA Tournament - Thursday Early Thread

2010-03-18T15:13:52Z

11:20 a.m CDT

(7) BYU
(10) Florida

Vegas: BYU -5

KenPom: BYU 78-71

11:25 a.m. CDT

(6) Notre Dame
(9) Old Dominion

Vegas: ND -2

KenPom: ODU 65-64

11:30 a.m. CDT

(2) Villanova
(15) Robert Morris

Vegas: Villanova -18.5

KenPom: Villanova 86-67

Watch the games live: March Madness On Demand

Ruh Roh. Tiny Gallon May Have Taken Money From An Agent

2010-03-18T14:47:24Z

More photos » Orlin Wagner - AP

24 days ago: Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel talks with Tiny Gallon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Browse more photos »

TMZ.com is alleging that Oklahoma freshman forward, Tiny Gallon may have accepted $3,000 from an individual who has been known to rep several professional athletes. The gossip rag (because in the end, that's what it is) claims to have obtained a "document" that shows that Gallon and his mother, Sylvia Wright received a wire transfer into a joint bank account from Jeffrey Hausinger, a Merrill Lynch financial advisor.

This isn't the first time that these type or rumors have surfaced, but I had heard through the grapevine that OU had already investigated the issue before letting Tiny return to the court earlier in the season. Plus, this coming from TMZ, not exactly the authority on, well, anything. Let's all withhold any judgement and wait before we freak out, but if this turns out to be true it could end up being very bad for the Oklahoma Athletic Department.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more... Stay tuned...

Spring Ball - OL

2010-03-13T01:48:07Z

via i28.photobucket.com

What you see here are four of the five incoming freshman (in order Irwin, Woods, Thompson, and Shead) and the future of the OU offensive line (along with Daryl Williams not pictured). It's no secret to any Sooner fan with a pulse that the OL has to make significant improvement in 2010 for OU to contend in the South Division. No unit struggled more last year and while a lot of that had to do with injury, that in no way excuses how poorly they played at times during 2009. There are two ways to approach this unit in 2010:

1. They lost their two best/most consistent players in Trent Williams and Brian Simmons, so the likelihood that the OL struggles again in 2010 is high.

2. There were so many injuries last year that essentially everyone coming back saw significant playing time and that will only help them be better prepared this year.

Check out the analysis after the jump

My take on the OL tends to lean more towards #2, but admittedly that is the OU fan in me coming through. I tend to think that between the experience they gained last season and the virtual impossibility of having as many injuries two years in a row, the OL will be much more consistent just from having the opportunity to play together as a unit on a regular basis. I don't think that fact can be underestimated, I think knowing who is going to be lining up next to you and having confidence in that person makes a huge difference week to week. I think this line will get that chance this year and the difference will be evident by their play in the trenches.

This breakdown is going to be a little different than the previous positions we've covered. There's just two many players to give individual breakdowns, so we'll try to consolidate the analysis and give a general overview. Feel free to get more in depth in the comments. Quick comment, despite previous reports that Ben Habern and Jarvis Jones would be out for the spring it is now been confirmed by Coach Stoops that both will participate (probably limited) in spring practice once the return from spring break.

The Starter/The Backup:

LT - Donald Stephenson 6'6"-285-RS SO / Eric Mensik 6'6"-270-SR

LG - Stephen Good 6'6"-291-JR / Bronson Irwin 6'5"-322-FR

C - Ben Habern 6'3"-288-RS SO / Brian Lepak 6'4"-275-SR

RG - Tyler Evans 6'5"-280-SO / Tavaris Jeffries 6'4"-309-SR

RT - Cory Brandon 6'7"-310-SR / Jarvis Jones 6'7"-297-JR

There is plenty to be excited about here as with two exceptions, everyone listed above saw significant playing time at one point or another in 2010. Those two exceptions include Stephenson, who was suspended for 2009, and the true freshman (and absolute beast according to those measurables) Irwin. Irwin is already on campus and I think he has a legitimate chance to push for a starting job at either guard spot. Stephenson has been somewhat of an enigma since signing with OU. He has yet to play in a game after two full years on campus, but throughout that time the coaches have never questioned his talent. By all accounts, he appears to have finally "got it" and seems to be ready to finally live up to the potential we've been hearing about for the past two years. The fear is that at some point he could slip up again and then OU is left with a gaping hole at LT. Brandon struggled at LT while filling in for Trent Williams at different times and protecting Landry's blind side is obviously pretty important. Good is probably the strongest kid on the team, however he routinely struggles to hold his spot on the line. Given his strength, you would have to believe that it is a technique issue with him so hopefully another full off season will help him to get that worked out. Habern had a fairly successful freshman season up until the point he broke his leg in the Tech game. As mentioned above, he has been cleared to resume practice (ahead of schedule) after the players return from spring break so that is excellent news. This unit will be under a ton of pressure all spring and fall practice and will be the focus of every Sooner fan this off season. I think they come together as a unit and have a significantly better year in 2010.

The Future:

Daryl Williams 6'5"-270-FR

Austin Woods 6'4"-295-FR

Bronson Irwin 6'5"-322-FR

Looks like the kid has a little bit of a mean streak in him, I like it.

Bronson Irwin - NUC Top Prospect-football combine (via NUCfootball)

Adam Shead 6'4"-320-FR

Adam Shead Sophomore Highlights (via InsideTexas)

Tyrus Thompson 6'5"-290-FR

Tyrus Thompson (via hhorne)

Irwin and Woods are already on campus so that only increases their chances of playing this year. Irwin has already cracked the two deep and the only reason Woods has yet to do so is he's projected to play center and OU has two established players there already and that's without mentioning the coaches currently working RS FR Gabe Ikard at C this spring as well. My guess is that the other three listed here all redshirt in 2010, gain some experience in that year, and prepare themselves to compete for a spot in 2011.

OU had one of the top OL recruiting classes in the country and before they leave I fully expect them all to contribute in some way. The coaches made this unit a priority in recruiting and I expect them to do the exact same thing during practice. Because of that, I expect this unit to come into the season with a big time chip on their shoulder and use all the doubters as motivation to have an excellent season.

Let's hear what you think in the comments.

Whitehouse, Texas WR Trey Metoyer Commits To Oklahoma

2010-03-12T18:12:09Z

via www.smoaky.com

Trey Metoyer

Rivals Star Rating - Rivals 250 Watch List
Wide Receiver - Whitehouse, Tx - Whitehouse High School
Recruiting Sites: Rivals - Scout - ESPN.com
Video ($): Rivals, ESPN, Scout TV
Measurables: 6'2" 198lbs 4.42 40
Rankings: Rivals - Rivals 250 Watch List, Scout - #6 WR in nation
Status - Uncommitted, announcing today, 3/12/2010
Offers and Other Interested Schools - offers from Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Arkansas, Arizona, Baylor, LSU, Mississippi, Oklahoma State

BOOM! According to Smoaky.com, Trey Metoyer has given his verbal commitment to the University of Oklahoma. This is a huge pickup and a fantastic way to start the weekend. Welcome aboard and Boomer Sooner Trey!

Trey Metoyer WR #17 Whitehouse Tx Junior Season (via dubhousecat)

Texas WR Trey Metoyer To Announce His Decision Today At Noon

2010-03-12T15:06:40Z

via media.scout.com

Trey Metoyer

Commentary: Whitehouse, Texas wide receiver Trey Metoyer will be making his college decision today at 12:00PM (CT). Metoyer is considered one of the top receivers in the country after finishing the 2009 season with 75 receptions for 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns. Trey also accounted for 1,579 all-purpose yards. He also plays basketball and runs track. Considered one of the top two receivers in the state of Texas, most think it will come down to Oklahoma , Ole Miss, or LSU.

From Scout.com:

Great size for a receiver and though he does not have elite top end speed he has enough quickness and enough moves to get free from the defender and break long runs. He is a big target as a receiver and runs tight routes, his size and strength allow him to beat jams. He is not a blazing fast receiver but a good sized receiver with good hands and is very reliable. He is also a player that has a flare for making the dramatic catch.

As the #1 wide receiver on the Sooners board, this is an important day for the 2011 Oklahoma recruiting class. Let's hope for some good news this afternoon!

"I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t perform. I was a smaller guy when they recruited me, they knew tha...

2010-03-11T19:00:37Z

"I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t perform. I was a smaller guy when they recruited me, they knew that. I’m the same size as I was when I got here"

That quote belongs to our apparently new cornerback, sophomore Marcus Trice. According to NewsOK, Trice has made the switch from safety to cornerback and is in contention for one of the two starting CB spots. Personally, I like this move for him as we've got an enormous amount of talent at the safety spot and I think his size lends itself much better to the CB spot.

Check out the link below to read the rest of the article on Jake Trotter's NewsOK blog.

http://blog.newsok.com/ou/2010/03/11/trice-at-cb-nelson-at-s/

Season Over

2010-03-11T18:22:44Z

Bumped. And Bravo.

Call me old fashioned, but it is as important to me in how you play the game, regardless of whether you win or lose.

Being new to this forum, and considerably than those among you who post of this site, I expect to offend some, and be criticized by many. Having been a "fan" of OU athletics since the 1950's, I certainly have opinions. I recently retired and moved to Norman in order to "enjoy" sporting events that I previously did not have access to, except for those broadcast by television. For the record, this just completed basketball season was far LESS successful than I had hoped for.

ALL of us have opinions, and are entitled to such, but rest assured that when there is disagreement with me, you will not become "idiots" as I am often accused of being by the local talking heads that have the luxury of their bully pulpit by way of the local radio networks. I will not quote "sources" and then refuse to identify that source. My eyes are my source.

Like the start of any new season, fans have high hopes, high expectations, and finally despair sets in as the season plays out and your team becomes a disaster. Like a lot of you, I drank the kool-aid and believed the hype provided by the media and also coach-speak provided prior to the season. For the record, I'm not just talking about wins and losses.

I had the privilege to attend every home basketball game this season, and essentially watch every road game on television. Fans are a fickle lot, and with the record that played out over the season, I was not surprised (just disappointed) to watch the attendance at home games fall off dramatically. IMO, the loyalty that exists for OU football is non-existent when it comes to basketball. And don't bother to point out that OU is a "football school." What exactly is that? Please don't insult me by calling yourself a "fan: when you only show up if the team is winning. All programs (look at UNC this year) go through ups and downs, but loyal fans show up regardless, even when it is hard to watch.

In hindsight, it should be easy to grasp the tremendous loss of Blake and Taylor Griffin, as well as Austin Johnson. this comment is not based on the loss of their talent. It is based on their LEADERSHIP. This year's team had a total lack of leadership. The leadership I am talking about comes from the players, NOT the coach and his staff.

Early in this season, it seemed obvious to me that there was a lack of "chemistry" with this team. This team was made up of individuals, some with talent, some without, who were solely concerned with individual statistics, and could care less about the team, and the University of Oklahoma.

Willie Warren has talent. When he wants to play, he can be very good. When he's not interested, or things aren't going well for him, he becomes pouty, selfish, his body language reeks, and he should be sitting on the bench next to coach Capel.

Keith Gallon is an enigma. Like Warren, when he is interested, he teases the fan with skills that indicate what he might be capable of if he just cared. I watched him "care" in about four games the entire season. If it frustrates you and me, imagine how much it frustrates coach Capel.

TMG has obvious offensive skills, but is totally lacking defensively.

As all three grew up, it is obvious that they were never expected to play defense. It was all about the offense. That's what shows up on tv highlights. I doubt that coach Capel is the ONLY coach in the country who thinks defense leads to victories. Generally speaking, the best teams in the country play solid defense, and offense essentially takes care of itself. How many great defensive plays lead to fast-break points. Can't prove it, but doubt OU had more than a half dozen fast-break lay ups this season. Defense is basically EFFORT. Schemes are required, but effort rules. This basketball team has lacked defensive effort the entire year with the exception of Cade Davis and Tony Crocker.

If I have a problem with coach Capel this year, it lies in the fact that he recruited these MAA's in the first place. I would hope that he did more than watch tape of their offensive skills. I would hope that he had verbal interviews with these recruits. I would hope that he spoke to the people who "coached" them prior to offering a scholarship to OU. If not, then shame on him. I suppose it's natural for him to think that he could "change" them and teach them how to play defense and how to understand a "team" concept, but apparently he was wrong. I know that getting an MAA to commit to your school is ego boosting and gives fans some bragging rights. Well, how has that worked out this year?

Coach Capel has basically played 7 to 8 players this season. What is the purpose of the other scholarship players sitting on the bench? Are they just practice fodder? With the lack of effort from some of his starters, why not let others play? My only requirement is effort. Let the MAA's watch from the bench. The only real control coach Capel has is playing time. If you try, you play. If you don't, you sit. I would rather lose a game while watching players (with less talent) try, than lose a game and watch players (with more talent) NOT try.

Finally. If all these "talented" players come back next year, how is it going to be any different? With their current attitudes, it seems to me like it will just be the like deja vu. I would be willing to start over and suffer the consequences, than witness a repeat of what I sat through this year.

Insanity is often defined by repeating the same thing and expecting a different. result. I don't think coach Capel is insane. At least I hope not.

Let's put this one behind us. Let's call it a learning experience. Let's look forward to next year. But please, learn from the experience.

Basketball Season Mercifully Over, But We Have A Bit Of Good News

2010-03-11T03:37:42Z

More photos » Sue Ogrocki - AP

Sam Bradford, champion on and off the field. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Browse more photos »

Okay, so basketball season is finally over, so you can all breathe a sigh of relief and put down the bottle. Admittedly, the past few months have been extremely disappointing, both in regards to football and basketball.

But, I happen to have a glimmer of good news for you!

Sam Bradford has shined on his Wonderlic test for the NFL Draft, scoring a 36 (out of a possible 50). The average for QBs is 22. For comparison, Tebow scored a 22, Jimmy Clausen a 23, and Colt McCoy a 25. In the past, Peyton Manning scored a 28, and Tom Brady scored a 33, so invariably this will cause scouts to drool over Sammy a bit more.

Of course, Bradford is not really participating in any of the physical activities in the combine, but he'll probably have a work out before the draft.

Adam Schefter of ESPN said a few weeks ago that he was certain that the Rams would take Bradford with the #1 overall pick. If that is true, one has to hope that Bradford doesn't go the route of Tim Couch, but rather more along the career curve of Peyton Manning.

(h/t SB Nation editors)

Live Game Thread - Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys

2010-03-10T21:26:13Z

13-17, 4-12
NR (AP)
NR (Coaches Poll)

March 10th, 2010
6:00 pm CT
Who: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Where: Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO
TV: Big 12 Network, ESPN 360
Radio: KOKC AM 1520 OKC, KTBZ AM 1430 Tulsa
Line: Pukes -7.0

21-9, 9-7
NR (AP)
NR (Coaches Poll)

Welcome to the Crimson and Cream Machine as the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first game of the Big 12 Tournament.

Leave your comments below!

"I’m going to come back another year," Gallon declared Tuesday, the day before OU’s Big 12 fir...

2010-03-10T14:08:10Z

"I’m going to come back another year," Gallon declared Tuesday, the day before OU’s Big 12 first-round game against Oklahoma State. "That’s for sure."

"I talked to my mother and I talked to Coach (Jeff) Capel. I promised them I wasn’t just going to be out (of college) easy like that," Gallon said. "I’m not going to lie, the schoolwork and stuff is very hard. But I decided when I talked to (Capel). He can make me a great player. Right now I’m just a good player. Really, I consider myself average right now. And I don’t want to just be average. I want to be a great player.

"So I talked to him and told him I’d get another year in."

"If I try to come out right now, I wouldn’t be mentally ready," he said. "The NBA is very tough. Coach Capel knows what he’s doing, obviously. He had Blake, and he knew what he was doing with him. If I do another year, I think I’ll be OK."

Sounds like his head is in the right place which is more than we could have said earlier in the year. Hopefully this is a sign that Capel is finally starting to get through to some of these kids. Wish it wouldn't have taken all year to do it, but at least it seems like it's happening now.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20100309_92_0_KANSAS973718

OU Pro Day

2010-03-09T17:11:53Z

Not sure how many of you were aware that OU held their annual pro day at the Everest Indoor Training Center today. There is a considerable lack of buzz mainly due to Bradford's non-participation (he's holding his own pro day March 25th), however there were still plenty of NFL talent evaluators on hand to observe the kids who did participate. Check out the OU players who did participate after the jump.

The OU players who participated included:

Mike Balogun, Chris Brown, J.R. Bryant, Matt Clapp, Keenan Clayton, Dominique Franks, DeMarcus Granger, Jermaine Gresham, Ben Hampton, Brian Jackson, Gerald McCoy, Brian Simmons, Adron Tennell, and Trent Williams.

Here's a link where you can check out the official measurements and times for everyone in attendance. You'll notice that Gresham and McCoy (Granger as well it looks like) were apparently just there to get measured/weighed, however I'd be surprised if McCoy didn't wind up participating in the bench press (at the time of me writing this, they have yet to get to that drill) given his somewhat disappointing performance at the combine. The only thing that really stood out to me was Franks's improvement in his 40 time. I guess OU must have installed some faster turf for these kids to run on after the whole Malcolm Kelly debacle ;)

Anyway, check out the link if you like and keep your fingers crossed for Sam on the 25th to come out and wow them with this new and improved shoulder!

http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/030810aad.html

"I talked to coach Capel right before I decided I was going to do the (surgery)," Warren said. "He...

2010-03-09T14:33:21Z

"I talked to coach Capel right before I decided I was going to do the (surgery)," Warren said. "He asked me about the NBA, and I told him, 'That's not in my mind. The main thing in my mind is why not come back next year and prove everybody wrong? What would be the worst, being in the lottery again?'

"They had me projected there this year. Coming back next year, I might be projected there again. And I think you relieve a lot of pressure. I probably won't come in as a national player of the year candidate like I did this year. I think it would relieve a lot of stress."

The question is do you want him to come back next year?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20100309_92_B3_OUsWil918985

Stoops pre-spring presser

2010-03-08T20:29:28Z

Stoops pre-spring presser

UPDATE: Evidently this is a free link and I had mistakenly marked it as a pay link earlier. So enjoy the audio.

Not sure if this link will work for you or not, but on the off chance that it will I wanted to post it so you all could enjoy the update from Coach Stoops.

#6 in 2011. Arlington Martin RB Danzel Williams Has Committed To The Sooners

2010-03-08T19:18:05Z

via www.dallasnews.com

View full size photo »

The Oklahoma Sooners have received a verbal commitment from 2011 RB/S Danzel Williams of Arlington Martin. This is the first commitment to come out of this past weekends Junior Day (the second this season for the Sooners) and it seems to have come as a surprise to those who have been following Oklahoma's progress at the position. Viewed as an all-purpose running back by Rivals, Williams is the first RB commit in a very strong year for the position in Texas. Oklahoma is also actively recruiting Malcolm Brown, Herschel Sims, Aaron Green, Brandon Williams and Bradley Marquez (who may be seen as a slot WR). Because of the dearth of talent that they are pursuing, OU may have a safety spot in mind for Williams, who garnered all-state honors last year in his first attempt playing the position.

Here is a wrap up from the Star-Telegram last month:

He was anything but pleasing for opposing teams last season. A natural running back, Williams rushed for 1,221 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 255 yards and two scores. He was even better from his safety position, which he was playing only out of necessity. He ended up garnering all-state honors.

"I think he is going to be a tremendous college football player," Wager said. "He makes plays. Recruiting isn't an exact science. I think people within the recruiting world and the college world have two philosophies. One, what is the stereotypical height, weight and 40-time to play that position? I certainly understand and appreciate that. But there are others out there who ask themselves, 'Does he make plays? Is he a spectacular player?' Danzel Williams is a spectacular football player.

Stay tuned as we bring you more information as it comes in.

Five Questions For Spring Football At OU

2010-03-08T07:06:00Z

More photos » Sue Ogrocki - AP

Finding someone to replace Dominique Franks is just one of the many questions Oklahoma is looking to answer this spring. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Browse more photos »

Oklahoma's football team hits the field today for the first spring practice of 2010 and coming off a disappointing 2009 campaign there are some questions that need to be answered. Due to injury some questions may need to be put off until the summer but after 14 spring practice dates some things should at least become a little more clear. Here are five questions that will hopefully be answered between today and April 17.

5. Who will replace Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks on the corners? Oklahoma lost one of the most talented cornerback duos in the Big 12 and now they have to quickly replace them. Sophomore Demontre Hurst and senior Jonathan Nelson are the front runners but redshirt freshman Gabe Lynn and junior Jamell Fleming aren't out of the mix.

4. Which receiver steps up to complement Ryan Broyles? Call me naive but I believe the talent was on campus last year but it was the experience that was lacking. That's why we saw the massive improvement from Dejuan Miller and Jaz Reynolds. They have to at least be penciled in as starters at this point and could get a push from Cameron Kenney and Brandon Caleb but posses the physical tools to separate themselves into a class of their own. Without a solid second and third option opposing defenses will continue to double Broyles.

3. Will Oklahoma's 2010 passing attack feature a tight end? Tight end Gabe Ikard has been moved to center and, at least for now, tight end Eric Mensik is staying on the offensive line (more on this later) which leaves Trent Ratterree and James Hannah competing for the starting job. Ratterree, a former walk-on, has the clear advantage over Hannah after earning his way into the starting lineup and remaining there last season. Neither could have been considered a weapon though as Ratterree only caught 11 passes and Hannah 6.

2. How much progress will Landry Jones make? Jones wont be preparing to back up a Heisman winner this spring, he'll be preparing to lead the team to a run at the Big 12 championship in 2010. That's a huge difference in approach to the season. Jones will get the majority of the reps this spring and will no doubt have a tighter grasp on the offense when spring drills are over.

1. Offensive line, offensive line, offensive line? The biggest question mark going into last season was the biggest weakness on the team, costing Sam Bradford his year and contributing to the demise of Oklahoma's rushing attack. The Sooners will be without Ben Habern and Jarvis Jones because of injury but they get back Donald Stephenson who was suspended for last season. He and Cory Brandon make up the anchor for OU's o-line at the left and right tackle spots. Tight ends Eric Mensik and Gabe Ikard will work out with the line because of depth problems. Mensik will work out at tackle and Ikard is listed as the team's starting center for the spring, backed up by Brian Lepak.The key battle along the line will be at the guard position where Mensik, Stephen Good, Tyler Evans and Tavaris Jeffries will battle out for two spots.

Oklahoma also has two incoming 2010 freshmen that have enrolled early and will be competing on the line. Austin Woods will be competing at center and Bronson Irwin at guard.

This is what I'm looking for this spring. How about you?

Oklahoma Saves Best Rally For Last In Sooner Classic

2010-03-08T05:08:36Z

OU had already rallied twice in their first three games of the Sooner Classic to pull out wins but Sunday afternoon was their fourth game in four days and rally number three was on. Oklahoma finished 4-0 in the Sooner Classic and improved their overall season record to 11-1 with a 5-4 win Sunday over Stephen F. Austin. It didn't come easy for OU though, they had to score two runs in the bottom of the 9th to win and once again it was our man Caleb Bushyhead playing a huge role in the win.

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the last frame, neither team had scored since the 3rd, Oklahoma tied the game on Cameron Seitzer's second home run of the afternoon. His first was a two-run shot in the bottom of the 2nd to tie the game at 2-2. The Sooners would relinquish that lead in the top of the 3rd and not tie it up again until Seitzer's solo shot in the 9th. The wheels came off SFA's pitching after that as the Sooners would eventually load the bases before scoring the game winner. That run was provided when Chris Ellison's fielder's choice scored Bushyhead.

"A little closer than we want, three one-run ball games, but the thing that I do see is that we are a club learning how to win," said OU Head Coach Sunny Golloway on the weekend. "That's important. I think you have to learn how to win and believe that you can."

Seitzer finished the afternoon going 3-for-4 from the plate with 2 home runs and 3 RBI's. Jeremy Erben improved his record to 5-0 on the season and has a streak of 11 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Next up for the Sooners is a Tuesday trip to play Dallas Baptist before returning home to play Houston Baptist on Wednesday.

"There’s a sense of entitlement with some young kids. ... Kids don’t fear anything. They don’t respe...

2010-03-07T03:05:17Z

"There’s a sense of entitlement with some young kids. ... Kids don’t fear anything. They don’t respect anything.," Capel said.

"But it goes back to me. I’ve done a poor job. I’ve always felt one of my strengths was being able to figure out what buttons to push, how to get best out of guys. I haven’t been able to do that this year.

"It’s been frustrating. Frustrating to me, frustrating for people to watch. It’s embarrassing. I’m ashamed."

"You never sign a team. You sign individuals and you hope they can become a team. That’s something we’ve struggled with all year," Capel said. "You look at the teams that are at the top, they have a definitive guy who is their best player. And no one has a problem with it. No one has a problem saying Sherron Collins (Kansas) is our best player, James Anderson (Oklahoma State) is our best player, Donald Sloan (A&M) is our best player. There are no other agendas besides winning.

"To be completely candid, we’ve struggled with that all year. If I would have said earlier that Willie is our best player, I may have had three guys in the locker room upset. In conference after five-six games, I say Tommy is our best player, still you may have three guys upset in your locker room.

"That falls back on me. Whether it’s Nate Carter, Blake Griffin, Longar Longar for a stretch, I’ve been able to say these guys are our best player and everything has fallen into place and guys have settled into their roles. On a team, everyone has a role. Everyone has to fall in love with their role. You have to love and embrace your role. If you do that, you have the opportunity to be a good team.

"And we haven’t been a good team all year."

http://www.newsok.com/jeff-capel-opens-up-after-sooners-loss-to-aggies/article/3444559?custom_click=lead_story_title#ixzz0hRUtaQ0G

Sooners Rally Past South Florida Again

2010-03-07T00:22:05Z

One thing is for sure, the South Florida Bulls came to the Sooner Classic this weekend looking to pull an upset and they almost did, twice. Thursday afternoon OU had to score three runs in the final two innings to stay perfect at home and Saturday afternoon the Sooners held on when the Bulls scored two in the top of the 7th to tie the game and scored one run of their own in the bottom of the 8th to take the lead for good.

The game was a pitching duel through the first five innings before things got interesting in the 6th. OU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when a Caleb Bushyhead sacrifice fly to center field scored Kaleb Herren. From that point on, Oklahoma's Bobby Shore and USF's Andrew Barbosa were virtually untouchable through the first five frames. Shore faced 27 batters through the first 6.2 innings, striking out 7 and only allowing 6 hits. Barbosa faced 26 batters in the first 6.2 innings, striking out 7 and only allowing 4 hits.

Junior Carlin and Ryan Lockwood tripled in back-to-back at bats for South Florida, scoring Carlin and tying the game in the top of the 6th. Then Oklahoma's Chris Ellison hit a one out solo home run in the bottom half of the inning to put the Sooners back up 2-1. Garrett Buechele followed that up with another solo home run two batters later to give OU their biggest lead of the day, 3-1, going into the top of the 7th.

South Florida's Chad Taylor hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 7th to tie the game again bringing an end to Bobby Shore's afternoon. Barbosa's afternoon ended after two outs in the bottom of the 7th after he walked Ricky Eisenberg and Bryan Groth back-to-back but Oklahoma was unable to capitalize because Ray Delphey got Tyler Ogle to ground out to 3rd base.

Jeremy Erben started the 8th inning on the mound for the Sooners and retired all three batters he faced. In the bottom of the 8th Oklahoma's Ross Hubbard struck out swinging on a wild pitch but was able to advance all the way to 3rd base after the catcher dropped the ball, followed by two throwing errors. Eric Ross came in as a pinch runner for Hubbard and then scored the game winning run on the next pitch, which was Ray Delphey's second in a row. Delphey struck out Buechele and Kaleb Herrin after that wild pitch but the damage was already done and the Sooners had regained a one run lead, 4-3.

Oklahoma turned to closer Ryan Duke in the top of the 9th and he gained his fifth save of the season, in as many tries, by retiring the side. Erben's one inning of work earned him his third win of the year.

Oklahoma closes out the Sooner Classic Sunday afternoon with against Stephen F. Austin. First pitch is at 3:00pm.