How’s it going, friends and fans?

If you haven’t heard by now, Oklahoma softball completely dominated Big 12 honors, although that’s no surprise to anybody around here. This is Paige Parker’s fourth year winning pitcher of the year, and Kelsey Arnold’s second year winning defensive player of the year. Also, a total of nine players earned recognition for All-Conference selections, and Patty Gasso won Coach of the Year for the 11th time overall, including the seventh straight season.

It almost feels like a broken record when following all the accomplishments of this team, year after year. I suppose that’s life for a dynasty.

Now onto Hot Links! Josh Fields weighs in on Kyler Murray and his upcoming decision, CBS Sports ranks Lincoln Riley in an interesting spot among other Power 5 head coaches, Dimitri Flowers signs with the New York Jets and more!

OU Links

• Oklahoma Sooners QB/CF Kyler Murray is in a spot few athletes are ever truly faced with. However, one of those few is Josh Fields, the former Oklahoma State quarterback who elected to play pro baseball instead of stick around for his senior season. So what does Fields have to say about the pros and cons Murray has to weigh between now and the moment of truth?
• CBS Sports ranked the top 25 coaches from the Power 5 conferences, and Lincoln Riley checks in at No. 15. What I find even more interesting is that three other Big 12 coaches are higher on this list than Lincoln. I suppose one season with the greatest QB in the history of college football (in my opinion) will cause some to be hesitant about the man’s ability to do it over an extended period of time. Having said that, he’ll be higher on this list next year.
• Despite the losses on offense, Sports Illustrated still views Oklahoma as the team to beat in the Big 12 in its post-spring, pre-summer assessment.
• Congratulations to Dimitri Flowers for signing on with the New York Jets! Flowers sure is going to look good in that Jets green, and I’m confident he’ll make that roster. Boomer!

• Dimitri Flowers is well on his way towards putting his stamp on the New York Jets offense, but Oklahoma still needs to find a suitable replacement for him. His versatility and productivity may be the most challenging aspects to replace out of all the turnover. So who are the prime candidates to take the reins?
• RJ Young just dropped some knowledge with a friendly little reminder that Rodney Anderson is the man, and Texas...well, you know what comes next.

• Trae Young is hosting a two-day basketball camp starting on the first of August. The camp will be held at the University of Oklahoma’s Sarkeys Fitness Center, and is open to boys and girls from grades 1-12.
• It seems like the Sooners are always competing for national championships in one sport or another, and right now the Oklahoma women’s golf team is heading to Stillwater for the NCAA Championships. It’s great to be able to play for it all right here in the Sooner State. Bring that natty home, ladies! Boomer!

• Four-star cornerback Chris Steele out of Bellflower, California gave his official visit during the Oklahoma Spring Game a 10 out of 10, citing how passionate the fan base is. Steele would be a great addition to the 2019 recruiting class, and the Sooners appear to have a great shot at landing the coveted corner.
• Oklahoma has recruited offensive linemen quite consistently for several consecutive recruiting cycles, but the Sooners currently only have one o-lineman committed for the class of 2019. So who are some of the offensive line targets Oklahoma’s coaching staff is still looking to land before signing day?

Around the Sports World

• The Boston Celtics finally put the Philadelphia 76ers away, but of course what NBA playoff game is without controversy? The question here is about Marcus Smart and whether or not a travel should have been called upon him intercepting the inbound pass. Honestly, it never would’ve been called in that moment, but rules are rules, refs.

• The Player’s Championship begins today, and there are several reasons why you’ll be entertained by this year’s event. Don’t worry, if you’re having a bit of Tiger Woods fatigue, there are plenty of other reasons that’ll make it worth your while.
• According to multiple reports, Everton’s Wayne Rooney has agreed in principle to join D.C. United for $16.2 million. The veteran Rooney turns 33 in October.
• San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Lucchesi’s pre-pitch windup has so any moving parts to it that don’t really seem to equally contribute to the trajectory of the ball. I guess the dude is pretty limber though.

• I think the Milwaukee Brewers are my favorite MLB team. After their exquisite Sandlot scene reenactment, now they’re playing Fortnite on the ballpark’s jumbotron. These are some cool dudes.

Stick to Sports!

• The teaser trailer for the upcoming movie The Predator, directed by Shane Black, has been released. It looks like this installment to the Predator franchise takes place in suburbia, rather than a jungle or space like the previous movies. It’s also cool that this movie is starring Olivia Munn, a well-known OU alum. The film is set for nationwide theater release on September 14th.

Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!