So the partnership between the Oklahoma Sooners and Jordan Brand has been widely discussed, especially when it comes to the football team, but for as many upgrades as we will see on the football field, we’ll see as many if not more changes on the basketball court.

It makes sense, of course, that sporting Air Jordan would mean a lot for Oklahoma’s basketball programs. Uniforms, shoes, and now a brand-spanking new look for the hardwood are significant changes. Nobody is quite sure about what to expect from either basketball squad this season, but this stuff is pretty cool. I’m a big fan of the wagon wheels!

When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you play good. Grammatics aside, the 2018-19 season tip-off is just a couple months away! I can hardly wait to see what else is in store for Lon Kruger and Sherri Coale’s Sooners.

Now onto some Hot Links! Select football season tickets are still available, several 2019 commits make an All-USA preseason offense, a tennis player takes out all of his aggression on the court and more!

OU Links

• 2019 commits Spencer Rattler, Theo Wease Jr. and Austin Stogner have all been named to the 2018 All-USA Preseason First Team Offense by USA Today. Congratulations to all these young men, and good luck in your senior seasons!
• With the 2018 season kicking off one month from today, there are a limited number of season tickets still available. If you’re interested in reserving a live and in-person vantage point this fall, make the purchase as soon as possible!

• Oklahoma checks in at No. 7 in ESPN’s updated top 25 college football power rankings. That would be a solid starting position for the Sooners, especially with a manageable schedule ahead of them. Like every season with the Sooners, win and you’re in.
• So what’s the overall outlook for Oklahoma’s 2018 season? The Norman Transcript’s Tyler Palmateer breaks it all down, from win/loss potential to the deepest and thinnest position groups.
• Much has been made about Mike Stoops and the defense he coordinates, and rightfully so. Since Stoops returned to Oklahoma after coaching at Arizona, his defenses have usually left much to be desired, and 2017 was one of the lowlights in that regard. Can Mike Stoops build Oklahoma’s defense into a championship-caliber unit now, or has that ship sailed?
• With the dead period beginning today, 2019 commits like QB Spencer Rattler, WRs Theo Wease Jr., Arjei Henderson and others have now received “official scholarship offer” graphics from Oklahoma. These essentially indicate a prospect’s current standing as far as their offer is concerned.

Around the Sports World

• Middle school student Ella Whistler is an Indianapolis Colts fans, and after surviving a school shooting, the Colts organization invited her to practice and even let her break down a huddle. You rock, Ella!

• According to Brett McMurphy, despite denying it in a recent address, Urban Meyer apparently did have knowledge of the allegations years prior to Zach Smith’s firing.

• Courtney Smith, the ex-wife of former Ohio State assistant Zach Smith, comes forward with details about the physical abuse she suffered. Smith says she told Urban Meyer’s wife, Shelley Meyer, about the domestic abuse allegations in 2015.

• Since April, Virginia Tech has lost 10 players on defense, along with its co-defensive coordinator. The Hokies better hope that their offense is as good as it’s ever been, because I don’t predict many defensive stops in 2018.
• 23 year-old QB Cord Sandberg has just announced that he will join the Auburn Tigers after playing six years as a minor league baseball player. Sandberg has all four years of eligibility remaining, so he could conceivably be the Tigers’ starter when he’s about 27 years old.
• Popeyes used to sponsor the Bahamas Bowl, but now that’s just another note in college football bowl game history after being bought out by Makers Wanted. What’s interesting about Makers Wanted is that it is based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, a town known for its industrial parks. Sounds very Bahamas-like, doesn’t it? No, no it does not.
• French professional tennis player Benoît Paire just had one of the most epic meltdowns on a tennis court. After Paire smashed not one but two tennis rackets, he refused to finish out the match and eventually left the court. Maybe he just needs a vacation.

Stick to Sports!

• Director Jeff Wadlow is working with Blumhouse and Sony to direct a film-version reboot of the popular late 70’s-early 80’s TV show Fantasy Island. A release date has not yet been determined, but development on the film is currently underway.

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