Spring is in the air, which means golf is also in full swing. Alright, I’m not proud of what I just did there. I know it was rough, but I took a shot all the same.

Speaking of golf, the Oklahoma Sooners aren’t too shabby on the greens. They’re also a fun bunch of pranksters. Check out the team pulling a fast one on freshman Patrick Welch. They all schemed to react as if he’d just sunk a hole-in-one. What a razz.

Now here’s the view from the other side. As you can see, it actually almost went in, which would have ruined the prank without Welch actually knowing it until someone told him later.

The only thing missing from these videos is the aftermath when the freshman found out it was all just a big lie at his expense. Maybe the joke is in the long game, and they’ll forever let him live his life believing the ball found the cup. I suppose it couldn’t be that, though, since they tagged him in the video of the prank. Still hilarious!

Now onto today’s Hot Links! Jamuni McNeace and his ankle should be ready to go on Friday, Mariah Lopez throws another no-no, Ichiro calls it a career and more!

OU Links

• Jamuni McNeace is going full speed in Oklahoma’s practices before the NCAA Tournament tips off. He told the Tulsa World’s Eric Bailey he’s not making any excuses going into his final postseason run.

• Skip Johnson could very well have the best team OU has had in some time. At 18-4, the Sooners are looking like a strong and resilient bunch. On Wednesday, Oklahoma completed a two-game sweep over New Mexico.

• Oklahoma’s Mariah Lopez threw a no-hitter for the second time this season and the third of her career in the Sooners’ 8-0 run-rule victory over North Texas.

• Ben Powers thinks much of the criticism about Kyler Murray is “garbage” and just comes from people looking for clicks. Sadly, that’s the downside to the media machine, and players of Murray’s profile tend to receive more of it than others.
• You’ll want to read up on the Q&A sessions C&C Machine conducted with Red Cup Rebellion. Look here for answers to the Rebels’ questions about the Sooners, and right this way for RCR’s responses to our questions.
• In case you missed it, make sure you check out the latest Oklahoma Breakdown Podcast with Jack and Kamiar before Friday’s matchup between OU and Ole Miss. Zach Berry of Red Cup Rebellion joins the cast to preview the first round contest. The guys also talk about next season’s basketball prospects, Alex Grinch, and everybody’s favorite, Tom Herman.

Around the Sports World

• I challenge you to watch this and not feel any emotion. Whether you’re a Thunder fan or not, there is no denying Nick Collison’s remarkable journey, as well as his impact on Oklahoma City.

• After 28 exemplary years as a major leaguer, Ichiro Suzuki has announced his retirement. It’s certainly the end of an era, not only for the MLB, but for professional athletes in all sports. One of a kind.

• Antonio Brown and Vontaze Burfict have well-document bad blood between them, but now they’re on the same team. Is the past the past, or is the beef between these Oakland Raiders teammates going to boil over?
• Speaking of boiling over, the Boston Celtics’ Marcus Smart shoved Philadelphia 76er Joel Embiid to the floor after taking an elbow himself. Smart was ejected and Embiid was issued a technical foul. Why can’t we be friends?

• The NCAA has a commercial that’s been making the viral rounds because of its apparent inaccuracies. It’s intended to show an example of a day in the life of a student-athlete, but many current and former student-athletes have called it out.

Stick to Sports!

• Some people managed to stumble upon a new title from the Jurassic Park franchise on Netflix before it was removed from the streaming service. Universal owns the rights to JP and all its sequels, and if this turns out to be true, it could mean a spin-off project could be on the way. I guess Jeff Goldblum wasn’t kidding around when he said “Life finds a way.”

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