Welp, it’s Friday, friends and fans.

After a whirlwind of cancellations and postponements on Thursday, the NCAA is working to grant a year of eligibility for student-athletes who participated in spring sports. Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel has more details on the developing news:

Though it’s unfortunate that the Oklahoma Sooners had to cease all spring competition along with the rest of the major sporting world here in the states, this is a promising sign for those seniors who would gladly take advantage of the opportunity to wrap up their careers on their terms. Below, sportswriter Bryan Fischer clarifies the list of sports currently being discussed under these unique circumstances, as well as the fall/winter sports that are still to be deliberated on.

The NCAA’s letter continues with where it is in its discussion of winter sports (including basketball and gymnastics) as well as the importance of reaching a resolution as quickly and responsibly as possible.

For us sports heads, it’s been a rather somber 24 hours, but this is the positive news teams and fans across the board have been hopeful for.

Now for this week’s Friday the 13th edition of Hot Links! Bob Stoops is looking forward to 2021, a Sooner legacy is coming to OU, the Suns will continue to hoop on 2K and more!

OU Links

• Although the NCAA Tournament is not happening anymore, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released his final Bracketology report taking into account the season that was, and in this last update a 9-seed OU was projected to take on the 8-seeded LSU Tigers in Spokane, Washington.

• Shortly after the NCAA announced the cancellation of both men’s and women’s basketball tournaments on Thursday, the University of Oklahoma joined a number of schools by officially suspending all athletic competition, including offseason practice for fall sports.

• The Sooners’ Spring Game has not yet been canceled, but Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione recently stated in a conference call that it such measures are being discussed. At the rate everything else has been shut down, it seems like just a formality that there will not be a celebratory scrimmage as originally scheduled next month if at all. OU Daily’s Caleb McCourry has more.
• For those wondering about the recruiting calendar for football, here’s an updated from OU’s Annie Hanson:

• The XFL joined the majority of the sports world by cancelling all remaining regular season games. Bob Stoops shared his thanks for the massive support his Dallas Renegades received and his excitement for 2021.

• Even in one of the deepest and most talented wide receiver classes in recent NFL Draft history, retired pro Stephen White believes CeeDee Lamb could have the best pro career of them all down the road.
• NFL draft guru Todd McShay believes Jalen Hurts will be a solid backup at the next level with the potential to become a starter. On the flip-side, he highly doubts the former Alabama QB will be selected within the first three rounds of the upcoming draft.
• Class of 2020 WR Marcellus Crutchfield is the son of OU great Gerald McCoy, and on Friday he announced his plans to play his college ball at Oklahoma, presumably as a walk-on.

Around the Sports World

• On Friday, Augusta National announced The Masters, which was originally scheduled for April 9-12, has since been postponed for an indefinite period of time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• English Premier League play has been suspended indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns as several men’s and women’s professional soccer leagues across the UK follow suit.
• Amid the NBA season being suspended, the show will go on for the Phoenix Suns on the virtual courts of NBA 2K via live Twitch streaming. For now it’s unclear which players will be involved in the gaming, but Devin Booker is already part of the streaming community, so he’ll most likely be one of the Suns you can watch balling online.
• CBS Sports’ Gabriel Fernandez is keeping a running list of the professional athletes and coaches who have tested positive for coronavirus. Through Mar. 12, that list is up to five, with four athletes and one coach all having been confirmed with positive test results.

Stick to Sports!

• From the creative lens of critically acclaimed director Spike Jonze comes ‘Beastie Boys Story’ on Apple TV+. This live documentary uniquely highlights the revolutionary hip hop group that ran roughshod through the 80s and 90s’ music scene. Check out the official trailer below, and starting on April 24 you can stream this blast from the past that is sure to stir a wave of nostalgia.

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