Happy Friday, friends and fans!

The No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners’ upcoming game against the No. 2 Baylor Bears that was originally scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 has been postponed due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases within the BU program. This is the second Big 12 contest OU has had to re-schedule this season after Bedlam in Stillwater was postponed last month.

In a way, the timing of this postponement could be beneficial to Oklahoma, who is still looking to compete at full strength with the return of senior guards Austin Reaves and Alondes Williams. Reaves is expected back this weekend, while Williams will be out for a little while longer. Going forward, if the Sooners are to face the Bears later on in the regular season, it’s now possible that they’ll be doing so with a full complement of players.

This Saturday, Lon Kruger’s crew will host the Iowa State Cyclones at 11 a.m. CT. With the Baylor game moving to a future date, the Sooners’ next contest after tomorrow’s meeting with ISU won’t be until Feb. 13 at West Virginia.

Now onto this week’s Friday edition of Hot Links! Lincoln Riley discusses problems with the portal, Mark Andrews receives Ravens honor, Will Muschamp is back in the SEC East and more!

OU Links

• Lincoln Riley recently shared his thoughts on potential tampering by schools when it comes to the NCAA Transfer Portal. He likened the issues with the portal to other forms of ‘cheating’ in recruiting.
• Tre Brown has to be the most underrated defensive back in the 2021 NFL Draft. That is, unless he runs a sub-4.4 in the forty yard dash, which he’s entirely capable of. If he’s in the 4.3 range, his stock should sky-rocket.

• Sooners outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Jamar Cain has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters according to Rivals following the conclusion of the 2021 recruiting cycle. Boomer!
• The OU men’s gymnastics team maintains its hold on the No. 1 rank in the nation according to the CGA and the coaches poll.

• Former Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews was recently honored with the 2020 Ed Block Courage Award for his continuous display of courage and his ability to overcome adversity. Andrews, a Type 1 diabetic, was named this award’s recipient based on the voting of his Baltimore Ravens teammates.

Around the Sports World

• The Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant holds a slight lead over the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James after the first round of the NBA All-Star fan voting.
• Ex-South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp has reportedly joined the Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff in a defensive analyst role.
• Clemson Tigers offensive coordinator Tony Elliott has been given a three-year contract extension in addition to having his salary increased to $2 million beginning at the start of the next fiscal year. This gives the program two of the nation’s top three highest-paid assistants, with DC Brent Venables topping that list.
• On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Angels made a move to acquire outfielder Dexter Fowler from the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Renowned Houston-based mattress store owner Jim McIngvale has kept up tradition by making a mega wager on Super Bowl LV. This time, ‘Mattress Mack’ has officially called his shot by putting $3.46 million on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to cover a +3.5 point spread over the Kansas City Chiefs.

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