Hot Links: Robert Barnes’ Journey, Facility Renovations, Kevin Durant + Jay Z = ?

Happy Friday, folks! With Russell Westbrook doing what he did to the Cavaliers last night, perhaps there’s a bit of hope for Kevin Durant’s return? You aren’t going to want to miss the game, which tips off at 7:30 tomorrow night.

Now that I’m done with my NBA spin, without further ado, here are some tasty links for your day:

OU Links

• Robert Barnes is one of the more exciting recruits in the ‘17 class. Bob Przybylo writes about how a fractured fibula set him back, and how Barnes is working to be better than ever.
• In case you missed it, our Jack Shields details the impact OU’s facility renovation could have.
• News 9’s Brett Coppenberger wrote a little bit about OU men’s basketball’s struggles and a few things to know heading into the Iowa State game.
• Oklahoma softball (defending champs!) opened their season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They split a pair of games against BYU and Auburn, who they defeated in the College World Series. Read a quick recap here.
• Jalen Green from Houston is a hot-button prospect, with interest from schools like Oklahoma, Michigan, LSU, and Florida. Check out scout.com’s conversation with the class of ‘18 cornerback.

National Links

• SB Nation’s Alex Kirshner details which offenses improved the most, and which one’s tanked the hardest in 2016.
• Sometimes, players (like Oklahoma State Basketball’s Phil Forte) can have their eligibility extended due to circumstances like injury. Alex Kirshner (again!) writes about how players can get up to seven years in the college ranks.
• Turner Field, the former home of the Atlanta Braves, was a beloved place for many. The Braves decided to move outside of downtown Atlanta, leaving the stadium for other uses—like football.
• Kevin Durant and his agent Rich Kleiman stopped by with Bill Simmons for, you know, just a normal conversation about how Jay Z could have influenced his defection.

‘STICK TO SPORTS!’

• D.R.A.M. and Lil’ Yachty’s “Broccoli” went 4X platinum, and I couldn’t be more happy that such a slinky, silly song rose so high.
• This is absolutely brutal. A UCLA cheerleader hit her head, and while being carried off a UCLA staffer who slips, hits her head again: