Analysis: Baylor 77, Oklahoma 65
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
10:51
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
There are no moral victories, but it is clear Lon Kruger’s team is getting better.
No. 7 Baylor pulled away in the final minutes of regulation to knock off Oklahoma, 77-65, at the Lloyd Noble Center on Tuesday night. The Bears, known for their athleticism, stopped their two-game losing streak with sharp shooting, finishing 27 of 50 on field goal attempts (54 percent), including 9 of 18 (50 percent) from the three-point line.
OU kept battling back from deficits throughout the second half but could never get over the hump. After the Sooners cut Baylor’s lead to 62-60 with 4:42 remaining, Baylor outscored OU 15-5 in the final minutes. The Sooners dropped to 12-7 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 play.
Player of the Game: Romero Osby was in beast mode against the Bears. The junior finished with 16 points, on 5 of 11 shooting, and 11 rebounds. He had five offensive rebounds and added two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes of action.
Unsung Hero: Sam Grooms. The junior point guard did a terrific job running the team against Baylor’s 1-3-1 zone defense, helping OU finish 27 of 58 (46.6%) from the field. Grooms had seven points and seven assists with zero turnovers in 35 minutes.
Oklahoma position grades: Running back 
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
4:35
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Before the Sooners' 31-14 win over Iowa in the Insight Bowl, Jake Trotter and Brandon Chatmon analyzed each Oklahoma position group. Now, the SoonerNation staff is giving each position a grade for its performance in 2011.
Grade: B+
No group experienced as much turmoil over the course of the season as the running backs did. Jonathon Miller and Jermie Calhoun transferred early in the year, Brennan Clay was hampered by injuries most of the season, and starter Dominique Whaley suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Still, this was a unit that managed to perform to expectations as a whole. Whaley was spectacular the first half of the season, then Roy Finch carried the load late. The grade probably would have been lower had it not been for all-conference fullback Trey Millard and Belldozer specialist Aaron Ripkowski, who were both solid all season.
- Jake Trotter
Grade: B+
No group experienced as much turmoil over the course of the season as the running backs did. Jonathon Miller and Jermie Calhoun transferred early in the year, Brennan Clay was hampered by injuries most of the season, and starter Dominique Whaley suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Still, this was a unit that managed to perform to expectations as a whole. Whaley was spectacular the first half of the season, then Roy Finch carried the load late. The grade probably would have been lower had it not been for all-conference fullback Trey Millard and Belldozer specialist Aaron Ripkowski, who were both solid all season.
- Jake Trotter
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Grant deciding soon between OU, Michigan
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
3:45
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Three-star tight end Sam Grant (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edward) isn’t ready to make his announcement, but he said he hopes to make his decision later this week.
Grant was visited at his school by OU coaches Bob Stoops, Bruce Kittle and Cale Gundy on Tuesday afternoon.
“Yes, Coach Stoops, Kittle and Gundy were up to see me,” Grant text messaged SoonerNation. “Had a great visit with them and am looking to make a decision later this week.”
Grant was visited at his school by OU coaches Bob Stoops, Bruce Kittle and Cale Gundy on Tuesday afternoon.
“Yes, Coach Stoops, Kittle and Gundy were up to see me,” Grant text messaged SoonerNation. “Had a great visit with them and am looking to make a decision later this week.”
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Closer look: Tim Kish's recruiting prowess
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
2:15
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Tim Kish is expected to join Oklahoma’s coaching staff with a reputation as a quality recruiter and solid linebackers coach. During his time at Arizona, it was not uncommon for Kish to go head-to-head with some of the West Coast’s top programs and land a recruit.
Here is a look at some of the top recruits Kish landed in the past five years at Arizona:
Tight end Rob Gronkowski (Woodland Hills, Pa./North)
Here is a look at some of the top recruits Kish landed in the past five years at Arizona:
Tight end Rob Gronkowski (Woodland Hills, Pa./North)
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Sooners hire Tim Kish as linebackers coach
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
1:30
PM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. – Last week, Oklahoma lost an assistant reputed for being a top-notch recruiter. The Sooners, however, are replacing him with a coach with the same reputation.
Former Arizona defensive coordinator Tim Kish has been named OU’s next linebackers coach, head coach Bob Stoops announced Tuesday. Kish, 57, will take over for ex-OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who last week accepted a job to be defensive coordinator at Clemson.
Kish worked with Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops all eight years that Stoops was head coach in Arizona, first as a linebackers coach, then taking over as the primary defensive coordinator before the 2011 season. When Stoops was fired after a 1-5 start, Kish was named interim head coach and guided the Wildcats to a 3-3 finish.
Kish has been in coaching for more than 30 years, with stints in the Big 10, MAC and Ohio high school ranks. He has been one of Arizona’s top recruiters, focusing primarily on the California area, where the Sooners have made inroads in recent years. In this upcoming class, OU has secured verbal commitments from wide receiver Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif.) and tight end Taylor McNamara (San Diego).
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Kish worked with Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops all eight years that Stoops was head coach in Arizona, first as a linebackers coach, then taking over as the primary defensive coordinator before the 2011 season. When Stoops was fired after a 1-5 start, Kish was named interim head coach and guided the Wildcats to a 3-3 finish.
Kish has been in coaching for more than 30 years, with stints in the Big 10, MAC and Ohio high school ranks. He has been one of Arizona’s top recruiters, focusing primarily on the California area, where the Sooners have made inroads in recent years. In this upcoming class, OU has secured verbal commitments from wide receiver Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif.) and tight end Taylor McNamara (San Diego).
RB Damien Williams bonds with 'Cali Trio'
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
1:28
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
It is easy to get lost in the shuffle at a junior college. Recruits can go about their business and not be bothered at school.
But if you’re coming to Oklahoma, you better be ready to be the center of attention. For juco running back Damien Williams (San Diego/Arizona Western College), he learned all about the OU experience last weekend on his official visit.
“The fans, wow, I love the fans out there,” Williams said. “Everybody knew who I was. In San Diego and Yuma [Ariz.], it’s not like that at all. I can tell that Sooner fans really take their football seriously.
But if you’re coming to Oklahoma, you better be ready to be the center of attention. For juco running back Damien Williams (San Diego/Arizona Western College), he learned all about the OU experience last weekend on his official visit.
“The fans, wow, I love the fans out there,” Williams said. “Everybody knew who I was. In San Diego and Yuma [Ariz.], it’s not like that at all. I can tell that Sooner fans really take their football seriously.
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2013 Watch List WR wants to hear from OU
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
12:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
His offer list reads like the who’s who of college football: LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida State.
Yet, Uriah LeMay (Matthews, N.C./Butler) hasn’t received an offer from Oklahoma. And the Class of 2013 receiver prospect would love to have one.
The LeMay family is quite familiar with Bob Stoops. Uriah’s father, Stacy, is a pastor who was a chaplain at the University of Florida before the family moved to North Carolina in 2005.
Yet, Uriah LeMay (Matthews, N.C./Butler) hasn’t received an offer from Oklahoma. And the Class of 2013 receiver prospect would love to have one.
The LeMay family is quite familiar with Bob Stoops. Uriah’s father, Stacy, is a pastor who was a chaplain at the University of Florida before the family moved to North Carolina in 2005.
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Preview: No. 7 Baylor at Oklahoma
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
11:15
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma’s chance for redemption arrives on Tuesday night.
Three days after the Sooners' disappointing loss to Texas A&M, OU will host No. 7 Baylor at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday at Lloyd Noble Center. It is arguably the toughest test of the year for the Sooners as the Bears bring one of the most athletic teams in the nation to Norman. And the Bears enter Tuesday’s game on a two-game losing streak (back to back losses to Kansas and Missouri) so it’s safe to say Baylor will bring its A game.
If the Sooners want to prove they are on the right track, their battle with the Bears is a prime opportunity.
Key to OU win: Keeping the Bears out of transition. Baylor uses steals (8.9 per game) and blocked shots (6.3 per game) to get out into transition and score easy baskets. The Sooners have to protect the ball and take quality shots.
Key to Baylor win: Forcing OU into bad offensive possessions. Whenever teams get the Sooners out of their rhythm, OU tends struggle to get good shots, turning instead to forced jumpers and turnovers when they try to do too much.
Stat line that will tell the tale: Baylor assists. If the Bears finish the game with a high number of assists that means Baylor got into transition to get easy buckets or guards Pierre Jackson and A.J. Walton consistently broke OU’s defense down to set up their teammates.
Sooners X factor: Cameron Clark. In a game full of athletes, Clark is second to none. If the sophomore uses his athleticism to challenge Baylor’s defense, it could create better shots for himself and his teammates.
Bears X factor: Brady Heslip. A sophomore transfer from Boston College, Heslip keeps defenses honest with his deep perimeter shooting. He’s 53 of 113 three-point attempts (46.9%) this season.
In this episode of Recruiting Nation 411, ESPN's recruiting experts take a look at all of the top news from the weekend including some good news for Penn State, more success for Vanderbilt, and some heated battles in the state of Florida.
Triple Option: Another OU-OSU battle
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Three thoughts this morning:
1. Former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez obviously meant a lot more on the recruiting trail than what people previously thought. It is starting to become clear that cornerbacks Kevin Peterson (Wagoner, Okla./Wagoner) and De’Vante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn) left Oklahoma mainly because of the departure of Martinez. Midway through the season, the whispers started about Mike Stoops replacing Martinez, and I don’t think anybody thought that would have a negative effect on the class. With Peterson now verbally committed to Oklahoma State and Harris verbally committed to Texas A&M, however, this year’s defensive backs class already will have Mike Stoops’ imprints on it.
2. Will Peterson going from OU to OSU have any long term impact in the Bedlam battles? Peterson is a little different case because he grew up a Cowboys fan, but it’s obvious what Mike Gundy is doing in Stillwater has a lot of home-grown kids excited. It is no longer a slam dunk that the best in-state recruits are going to be wearing the crimson and cream. And it remains to be seen what OSU’s 44-10 dismantling of the Sooners in December is going to mean in future recruiting battles.
3. OU should wait until after national signing day before hiring a linebackers coach. Unless Bob Stoops is 100 percent confident that he has found his man, patience is the right move here. It would be tough to bring in a linebacker prospect or two at this point, anyway. Most of the focus to fill out the 2012 defensive class is at defensive back and defensive end Michael Onuoha (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe). Let the signing day hoopla subside and then go find the right man.
1. Former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez obviously meant a lot more on the recruiting trail than what people previously thought. It is starting to become clear that cornerbacks Kevin Peterson (Wagoner, Okla./Wagoner) and De’Vante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn) left Oklahoma mainly because of the departure of Martinez. Midway through the season, the whispers started about Mike Stoops replacing Martinez, and I don’t think anybody thought that would have a negative effect on the class. With Peterson now verbally committed to Oklahoma State and Harris verbally committed to Texas A&M, however, this year’s defensive backs class already will have Mike Stoops’ imprints on it.
2. Will Peterson going from OU to OSU have any long term impact in the Bedlam battles? Peterson is a little different case because he grew up a Cowboys fan, but it’s obvious what Mike Gundy is doing in Stillwater has a lot of home-grown kids excited. It is no longer a slam dunk that the best in-state recruits are going to be wearing the crimson and cream. And it remains to be seen what OSU’s 44-10 dismantling of the Sooners in December is going to mean in future recruiting battles.
3. OU should wait until after national signing day before hiring a linebackers coach. Unless Bob Stoops is 100 percent confident that he has found his man, patience is the right move here. It would be tough to bring in a linebacker prospect or two at this point, anyway. Most of the focus to fill out the 2012 defensive class is at defensive back and defensive end Michael Onuoha (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe). Let the signing day hoopla subside and then go find the right man.
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Sooner Snapshot: WR Sterling Shepard
January, 24, 2012
1/24/12
7:45
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
As national signing day approaches on Feb. 1, Brandon Chatmon is breaking down every commitment and signee in the Sooners' 2012 recruiting class. View all of our profiles here.
Name: Sterling Shepard
Position: Receiver
Height, Weight: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds
Hometown/School: Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall
Committed: Feb. 28, 2011
Name: Sterling Shepard
Position: Receiver
Height, Weight: 5-foot-10, 185 pounds
Hometown/School: Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall
Committed: Feb. 28, 2011
Analysis: Secondary now a major need
January, 23, 2012
1/23/12
10:42
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The loss of cornerback Kevin Peterson (Wagoner, Okla./Wagoner) on Monday night means one thing for Oklahoma’s 2012 cornerbacks: they’re going to be Mike Stoops’ kids.
In the last two weeks, the two high school cornerbacks that committed when former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez was at OU have left the program.
The other cornerback, junior college signee Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College), didn’t have a choice in the matter but said he is ready to see what Mike Stoops brings to the table.
In the last two weeks, the two high school cornerbacks that committed when former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez was at OU have left the program.
The other cornerback, junior college signee Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College), didn’t have a choice in the matter but said he is ready to see what Mike Stoops brings to the table.
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Cornerback Kevin Peterson (Wagoner, Okla./Wagoner) never intended to decommit from Oklahoma. But the Sooners program he committed to Dec. 18 was not the Sooners program he would have been going to in the fall.
Peterson decommitted from OU Monday night and has committed to Oklahoma State .
In the month since his commitment OU, a lot of changes have happened with the Sooners coaching staff with former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez leaving the program and former defensive coordinator Brent Venables taking the same position at Clemson. It made Peterson rethink things.
Peterson decommitted from OU Monday night and has committed to Oklahoma State .
In the month since his commitment OU, a lot of changes have happened with the Sooners coaching staff with former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez leaving the program and former defensive coordinator Brent Venables taking the same position at Clemson. It made Peterson rethink things.
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Oklahoma position grades: Quarterback
January, 23, 2012
1/23/12
2:30
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Before the Sooners' 31-14 win over Iowa in the Insight Bowl, Jake Trotter and Brandon Chatmon analyzed each Oklahoma position group. Now, the SoonerNation staff is giving each position a grade for its performance in 2011.
Grade: B
Landry Jones was supposed to contend for a Heisman Trophy. Instead, his completion percentage and touchdown-to-interception ratio plunged late in the season. Ryan Broyles’ injury had much to do with that. But Jones would be the first to admit this wasn’t the season he hoped to have. Overall, though, Jones still had a solid season, throwing for almost 4,500 yards and 29 touchdowns. Backup quarterback Blake Bell was a revelation out of the Belldozer package, and ended up leading the Sooners with 13 rushing touchdowns.
- Jake Trotter
Grade: B
Landry Jones was supposed to contend for a Heisman Trophy. Instead, his completion percentage and touchdown-to-interception ratio plunged late in the season. Ryan Broyles’ injury had much to do with that. But Jones would be the first to admit this wasn’t the season he hoped to have. Overall, though, Jones still had a solid season, throwing for almost 4,500 yards and 29 touchdowns. Backup quarterback Blake Bell was a revelation out of the Belldozer package, and ended up leading the Sooners with 13 rushing touchdowns.
- Jake Trotter
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Ben Habern on Big 12 All-Interview Team
January, 23, 2012
1/23/12
1:31
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Big 12 blogger David Ubben chose a player from each team in the conference for his All-Interview Team. For the Sooners, he chose senior center Ben Habern. Here's what he wrote on Oklahoma's offensive captain:
More often than not, offensive linemen are a team's best interview. Throughout his career, Habern's held that title, and that was the case this season. He's smart, and helps guys like us in the media better understand the game from the inside, much like some coordinators do. It's appreciated.
ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.