Oklahoma Softball Announces Schedule Changes to Home Tournament…

NORMAN — Due to expected inclement weather this week, Oklahoma Softball has announced an altered schedule for its home tournament that was originally set to run from Thursday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 23.

The 10-game tournament will now be split between Marita Hynes Field and Love’s Field from Saturday, Feb. 22 through Monday, Feb. 24. Gates will open 90 minutes prior to the first pitch of the first game each day at both locations.

The updated schedule for both Oklahoma games and all neutral site games is as follows:

Saturday, Feb. 22
Wichita State vs. Bowling Green – Noon (Marita Hynes Field)
Abilene Christian vs. Oklahoma – Noon (Love’s Field)
Tulsa vs. Abilene Christian – 2:30 p.m. (Marita Hynes Field)
Bowling Green vs. Oklahoma – 2:30 p.m. (Love’s Field)

Sunday, Feb. 23
Bowling Green vs. Tulsa – 11 a.m. (Marita Hynes Field)
Wichita State vs. Oklahoma – 11 a.m. (Love’s Field)
Tulsa vs. Oklahoma – 1:30 p.m. (Love’s Field)

Abilene Christian vs. Wichita State – 1:30 p.m. (Marita Hynes Field)

Monday, Feb. 24
Abilene Christian vs. Wichita State – 11 a.m. (Love’s Field)
Abilene Christian vs. Oklahoma – 1:30 p.m. (Love’s Field)

All five of the games involving Oklahoma will be streamed on SEC Network+ and air on radio via 1560 AM The Franchise.

SAD NEWS: Duke Forward Maliq Brown Out Indefinitely After Dislocating Shoulder>>>Injury Report…

Brown suffered the injury in the first half of Monday night’s game vs. Virginia.

Duke forward Maliq Brown suffered an injury during the first half of Monday night’s 80–62 win over Virginia. It was later determined that Brown dislocated his left shoulder and will be out indefinitely.

This is a “big loss” for the Blue Devils, as coach Jon Scheyer said after the game, since Brown has become a major player off the bench for Duke since transferring from Syracuse this season.Scheyer

Brown did not re-enter Monday’s game after suffering the injury Scheyer did note that Brown will have imaging done on Monday night in order to determine a potential timeline for the forward to return.

As of now, it’s likely Brown will miss Duke’s matchup vs. Illinois at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. And, of course, the’ worst case scenario would be for Brown to not be able to return this season at all and miss the NCAA tournament in March.

In 20 games this season, Brown is averaging 2.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Duke HC Jon Scheyer Calls Out Clemson Security After Court Storming Incident…

$1.99 WELCOME OFFER CLAIM SPORTS Duke HC Jon Scheyer Calls Out Clemson Security After Court Storming Incident By Benedetto Vitale Athlon Sports Updated February 11, 2025 6:47 PM The Duke Blue Devils lost their last game on Saturday, Feb. 8 against the Clemson Tigers 77-71. Once the clock hit zero, Tigers fans in attendance stormed the court to celebrate the victory over the Blue Devils.

Head coach Jon Scheyer was spotted stepping in front of his players and the fans as soon as the courtstorming commenced.

The Duke head coach was even spotted getting physical with one apparent student on the court and was held back by one of his players. On Monday, Scheyer openly spoke about protecting his players from Tigers fans rushing onto the court.

The 37-year-old head coach called out the Clemson security team for allowing copious amounts of fans to run onto the floor, according to Chapel Fowler of The State Newspaper and The State News Guild.

We gotta get our players off the court for safety. That wasn’t a safe environment. No question about it. I was put in a position where I was shielding our guys from people running up and getting in their face.”

It was a chaotic moment for players and fans alike as Scheyer immediately put himself in front of his players. Court-storming has become a controversial topic in sports lately due to how dangerous it can be for all involved.

In February 2024, a similar situation occurred when Wake Forest fans stormed the court and ran into former Blue Devils star Kyle Filipowski. He injured his leg in the incident but suited up for the next game.

Duke will be back in action on Wednesday when they take on the California Golden Bears in a home game. With eight games remaining on the schedule, the Blue Devils aim to get back in the win column as they prepare for the ACC Championship and upcoming March Madness Tournament.

Cooper Flagg’s Seven-Word Admission on Future at Duke…

Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils have dominated all season, currently standing at No. 1 in the ACC standings. Duke sits at 21-3 on the season with an undefeated record at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devils are fresh off a 78-57 victory over the California Golden Bears. They were previously riding a 16-game win streak, but fell to the Clemson Tigers 77-71.

Amid a successful freshman season at Duke, Flagg sat down for an interview with The Athletic.

Despite many projecting the freshman star to declare for the upcoming NBA Draft, given his immediate impact at the collegiate level, Flagg made an interesting statement on his future with the Blue Devils.

“I want to come back next year,” Flagg said.

Flagg is currently averaging 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He’s also averaged 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks, leading the Duke Blue Devils in all five statistical categories.

In the Blue Devils’ recent victory over the Golden Bears, Flagg posted 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

According to Bleacher Report, Flagg is projected to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, with the Washington Wizards currently holding the best odds of landing the Duke star.

While Flagg made it clear that he’d like to stick around for another year at Duke, his draft grade may be too good to pass up.

Duke Star Cooper Flagg Hints at Return to College Over Entering 2025 NBA Draft…

Despite all the hype that has surrounded him as we get closer to the 2025 NBA Draft, Duke Blue Devils star forward Cooper Flagg may forgo jumping to the league this season. Flagg recently hinted that he could remain in college for a second season, a decision that would shock many around the basketball world.

“Sh—, I want to come back next year,” said Flagg, in a statement that shocked the social media world.

“I still feel like a kid,” he later answered when asked if he feels more like a college player or a professional athlete. “This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.”media

Flagg has been great so far this season for Duke and leads them in multiple statistics categories. The true freshman currently averages 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.

Duke holds a record of 21-2 and sits in first place within the ACC Conference. Much of this has to do with the play of Flagg, so a return to campus next year would drastically change how the Blue Devils built their roster.

Flagg has been the consensus favorite to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Many NBA scouts love his game and there has already been some movement by teams to tank for better odds to land the first overall draft pick.

“I always wanted to play in college at the highest level and compete for a national championship,” the 18-year-old also proclaimed in an otherwise reserved sit-down. “That sort of thing is what I dreamed about.”

If Flagg were to stay in college for an additional season, it would change the outcome of the draft entirely. Teams would shift course and look toward the 2026 NBA Draft instead, even with the strong class coming in this year.

While it seems unlikely that he would pass up a chance to play in the NBA this year and stay at Duke for his sophomore season, weirder things have happened before. Flagg is just 18 years old so he has plenty of time to enter the NBA down the line.

Oklahoma softball lost much of team from historic 4-peat. Can new-look Sooners retool…

FULLERTON, Calif. — It can get pretty boring doing the same thing over and over again.

That’s pretty much the routine for Patty Gasso. For the Oklahoma softball coach, all she does is field a team that constantly wins. Over and over again.

But is she getting tired of it?

“Uh, no,” Gasso said with a laugh.

Cementing herself among the greatest coaches in sports, Gasso has guided the Sooners to the pinnacle of the softball world. She has eight national championships – seven of which have come in the last 11 seasons. – The Sooners are coming off their fourth consecutive title – unprecedented in the sport.

Even with all of the success, the quest for a fifth-straight championship might be the Oklahoma’s most difficult challenge yet. But early indications show the Sooners won’t go down easy and are ready to add some more hardware to the trophy case.

It’s difficult to win one championship, let alone four in a row. But surprisingly, it’s happened 13 other times in NCAA history across all divisions and sports. The fifth straight is where the crowd shrinks. Five consecutive titles has happened five times, last in 2011-15 from the mighty North Dakota State football team in FCS.

If Oklahoma wants to join another prestigious list, Gasso will have to mostly lean on players that haven’t tasted championship glory.

A major reason why Oklahoma won four in a row was the “Core Five,” a superstar 2024 graduating class that knew nothing but ending the season on top of the softball world. They compiled an astounding record of 235-15 during their time in Norman.

That core is now gone, and the roster is composed of three players that regularly went to bat last season, two returning pitchers and 14 newcomers.

“I’ve had such a savvy group of players the last four years that really were elite athletes, and so we’re really working, teaching, finding different ways to win with a different set of skills,” Gasso told USA TODAY Sports.

Of course, Gasso brought some potential stars to fill the holes. Highly ranked recruits that made up one of the top recruiting classes in the country and transfer portal hauls now make up the majority of the roster.

It may be a lot for a freshman or inexperienced player to be thrusted into the role, but Gasso said it wasn’t hard for her newcomers to understand the standard. In fact, she feels like they’ve probably taken it a little too seriously, causing some unwarranted pressure. It’s been about trying to take that mental hurdle out of their minds and get them into the same routine that’s worked for four years.

“We always have the same expectations,” Gasso said. “We work every team the same way. Every day of practice, it’s fast, it’s hard, it’s hustling, it’s blue collar. That’s really been our mantra since I’ve been there, and it’s not gonna change.”

What hasn’t changed either so far in 2025 is the winning. The Sooners opened up the campaign with a trip around Southern California, starting in San Diego and then to Fullerton, Los Angeles and Long Beach for six games in four days. It wasn’t against high-caliber teams, but it was a trip with plenty of time in traffic with short turnarounds.

“I want them to feel these challenges, because this is what it really feels like when you get to the end of the season,” Gasso said.

Despite all the moving around, the trip was a success – a 6-0 record with plenty of highlights from those newcomers. Isabella Smith, a senior transfer from Campbell, threw a perfect five innings against California Baptist, and freshman Gabbie Garcia hit a grand slam in an offensive onslaught against Cal State Fullerton.

There was success, but it didn’t come without some challenges. The Sooners were pushed to extra innings against San Diego State and Long Beach State, and Gasso felt in other games her team left too many people on the bases, showing signs this team isn’t exactly national championship-looking yet.

“There’s just so much more that we have to learn and figure out, but they’re catching on,” Gasso said.

There will be plenty of opportunities for Oklahoma to fine tune things in the first month of the season. It only has one ranked opponent, Baylor, before it enters what Gasso calls the “gauntlet” of the SEC. Oklahoma did have worthy challengers in the Big 12, but it now joins conference that has 10 other teams in the top 25, including top-ranked Texas and No. 2 Florida – teams it will face at the end of the regular season.

Gasso knows the challenge they will be navigating in the SEC, and that’s why she wants the start of this season to be focused on getting the team’s body and mindset ready for the task.

“It’s going to be very tough. Even at home, it’s going to be tough,” she said. “We’re trying to get our girls here to turn into women before we get into the SEC.”

By the time we get to the NCAA Tournament, the Sooners may not have a dominating record or be one of the top four national seeds. It’s not the same ol’ Oklahoma, and that’s perfectly fine with Gasso. She’s having fun and insists she’s having a good time working with this group.

It’ll be an even better time if this team is hoisting a fifth consecutive trophy in Oklahoma City.

Angel Reese Sets Her Sights on Dominance: Plans to Lead Her Team to Victory

Angel Reese Sets Her Sights on Dominance: Plans to Lead Her Team to Victory

 

Rising basketball star Angel Reese is making it clear—she’s ready to take her game to the next level and lead her team to victory. Known for her relentless work ethic, dominant presence on the court, and unmatched rebounding ability, Reese has become one of the most formidable players in women’s basketball.

 

After an impressive college career where she established herself as a powerhouse, Reese is now focused on elevating both her individual performance and her team’s success. In a recent interview, she expressed her determination to dominate the competition, emphasizing her commitment to hard work, leadership, and winning.

 

“I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder,” Reese said. “This season is about proving that I can be the best and that my team can compete at the highest level. I’m ready to step up in every way possible.”

 

Reese’s impact goes beyond scoring; she is a defensive force, a vocal leader, and an inspiration to younger players. Her ability to control the paint, grab rebounds, and initiate fast breaks makes her one of the most dynamic players in the game. Her confidence and competitive spirit set the tonefor her

 

Fueled by Fans and a Pay Raise: Frank Ragnow Elevates His Game for the Lions

Fueled by Fans and a Pay Raise: Frank Ragnow Elevates His Game for the Lions

 

Detroit, MI – Detroit Lions star center Frank Ragnow has taken his game to another level, and he credits two key factors: a well-deserved pay raise and the unwavering support of Lions fans.

 

After signing a contract extension that solidifies his place among the highest-paid centers in the NFL, Ragnow has responded with a renewed drive and an even greater commitment to excellence. His dominant presence on the offensive line has been instrumental in protecting quarterback Jared Goff and creating lanes for the Lions’ explosive rushing attack.

 

A Financial Boost Sparks Determination

 

Ragnow’s contract extension, which reportedly increased his earnings significantly, serves as a testament to the Lions’ faith in his abilities. While many athletes see financial security as a reason to relax, Ragnow sees it differently.

 

“When the team invests in you like that, you owe it to them, your teammates, and the fans to give everything you’ve got,” Ragnow said in a recent interview. “I take a lot of pride in proving I’m worth every penny.”

 

Fan Support Adds Extra Motivation

 

Beyond financial incentives, Ragnow has been vocal about how Detroit’s passionate fanbase continues to fuel his drive. Lions fans, who have long supported their team through thick and thin, have embraced Ragnow as a key leader.

 

“Hearing the roar of Ford Field, feeling that energy—it’s special,” Ragnow said. “The fans push me to be better every single snap.”

 

Impact on the Field

 

Ragnow’s improved performance has translated into tangible results. His leadership on the offensive line has helped the Lions establish one of the most balanced offenses in the league, while his ability to neutralize top defensive linemen has kept Goff upright and the run game thriving.

 

With a combination of financial motivation and fan-driven inspiration, Frank Ragnow is proving why he remains a cornerstone of the Detroit Lions’ success.