Thank goodness it’s Friday, am I right? Now I don't know about you all, but my bracket is more than busted after day 1 of the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, I thought the Oklahoma Sooners would muster up enough mettle to advance to the round of 32, but alas, it was more of the same when the team plays away from Norman. So now that the basketball season is over for the Sooners, we wait to find out Trae Young’s decision on the NBA.

But get this, because it could potentially be a major factor when it comes to Young’s decision to declare for the next level. Rayford Young, Trae’s father, wants Trae to consider returning to Oklahoma for his sophomore season, saying “I would love for him to think about coming back and maybe being national player of the year next year.”

While it’s still highly likely Young does indeed forgo the rest of his eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft, if Young returned next season instead, Oklahoma would theoretically return (attrition happens) all but one player - Khadeem Lattin. Still, no matter who returns, the issues this team showed for the last two months would have to be addressed and fixed if they want a better season in 2018-19.

Now for today’s Hot Links. Below, you’ll find out why one scout thinks Trae Young isn’t lottery material, where Adrian Peterson wants to play next season, why some fans are saying the latest monster dunk from LeBron could be his best ever and more!

OU Links

• OU women’s basketball begins its March Madness run today against DePaul. The game starts on ESPN2 at 11:30 this morning, so tune in to cheer on Sherri Coale and the Sooners for another tourney appearance and a chance to bust some brackets!

• Trae Young’s draft stock might’ve taken a hit down the stretch of the college basketball season, and there’s at least one scout who doesn’t feel he’s even worthy of being selected as a lottery pick.

• If Trae Young has dribbled his final basketball in a Sooner uniform, he’s leaving behind a legacy that will be talked about for decades to come. In all honesty, we may never see another Sooner have the same kind of year statistically that Young had. It was certainly a fun ride while it lasted, even though the result wasn’t what we all had hoped it would be.
• Kristian Doolittle played a decent game in the loss to Rhode Island, and he gave credit to his team for not giving up “like we would in the past.” I think that comment explains a lot in regards to how this season went.
• 2019 receiver commit Trejan Bridges says he fell in love with one thing when it came to choosing Oklahoma, and that’s Sooner Nation. The fans show up and show out for every home game, and it’s definitely made quite the impact on him.

• Adrian Peterson was on ESPN’s First Take and expressed his desire to wind down his NFL career with the Houston Texans.

Around the Sports World

• So how is March Madness going for the teams named in the FBI’s investigation of the corruption in college basketball? Many are still alive, while others are already on their way home.
• UCLA fans aren’t happy with head basketball coach Steve Alford, so they took to the skies to voice their displeasure. I always find these kinds of flyovers amusing, but I don’t know if they’re always worth the hefty investment.

• Georgia is reportedly hiring former Indiana coach Tom Crean as head coach. Crean has been out of coaching for the last year after the Hoosiers fired him for another lackluster season and a quick exit in the NCAA Tournament.
• This is definitely one of the best in-game dunks in LeBron’s career, and some are making the case for it being the absolute greatest dunk ever for James. However you rank it, it’s certainly a sight to behold.

• Speaking of dunks, this dunk by Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith against Stephen F. Austin was flat-out insane. Also, it’s not a 360, it’s a 180, but still, an amazing dunk.

• I’m not crazy about Ricky Rubio, but this seemed a bit unnecessary. And only one technical free throw was given to Utah after a couple ejections, which also seems a bit strange.

Stick to Sports!

• Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War should be the movie event of the year, and now that it’s just a little over a month away, the world premier of the official trailer has finally been released. The teaser trailer was released in late November of 2017, which holds the all-time record for the most views for a trailer on YouTube. Tickets go on sale now, as well, so you may want to reserve your spot a little early at your favorite theater before April 27th, especially if you’re an MCU nerd like myself. Man, my boy Steve Rogers doesn’t back down to anybody. Thanos who?

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