NORMAN — The presumption is this is it.

NORMAN — A playoff atmosphere. A hostile road environment. And a dash of drama.

NORMAN — Oklahoma shortstop Brandon Zaragoza sprinted to his right, deep into the hole just shy of left field, and flipped Roderick Coffee’s groundball to second baseman Logan Kohler for an easy out.

NORMAN — Nothing about the Peach Bowl sat well with Oklahoma’s players or coaches. Wounds from the 63-28 loss to LSU last December were fresh for some time.

NORMAN — The second half was approaching its midway point and a nearly full Lloyd Noble Center was fairly engaged and it felt refreshing and right because the Sooner men were within three points — 41-38 — of No. 1 Baylor and …

NORMAN — The opportunities flashed. The energy was palpable. And upset-minded Oklahoma looked like it might have a shot.

NORMAN — In the imagination, All-Star games occur around mid-season, however it’s not true, not even during baseball season.

NORMAN — It started early.

NORMAN — Skip Johnson tries not to burden players by projecting expectations onto them publicly. The Oklahoma baseball coach declined multiple chances to do so during a recent media day.

The thing parents and coaches should remember is that we’re talking about young athletes here, some of whom are not fully matured.

Nick Piccininni has heard John Smith talk about “expect the unexpected” in Bedlam for the past five years.

Lenka Stara fought for most of the day in front of less than a handful of spectators, but when she finished, everyone was packed around her court.

Oklahoma State threw it back to the ‘90s for its men’s basketball contest Saturday afternoon, and it resulted in a win for the home team inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Although Vivian Gray hit another milestone in her career, there was no stopping No. 2 Baylor on Saturday night.

Maybe if the Thunder never play at home again, they’ll never lose again.

When the Oklahoma State baseball squad begins its 2020 season Friday night in Arizona, a true freshman will be taking the mound.

NORMAN — The drive from southwest Oklahoma City to Lloyd Noble Center was just short enough that it became an easy routine for Jenna Dunn.

NORMAN — The athleticism that led Cade Cavalli to become one of the best two-way players in college baseball a year ago was a key asset for Oklahoma.

1. The offense: It lacked the power and consistency to help Oklahoma’s bullpen finish games off late last season.

NORMAN — Lincoln Riley smirked, because he had a story to tell that not even DeMarco Murray knew was public knowledge within the Oklahoma coaching staff.

Oklahoma’s spring game date is set.

Congratulations to both Austin Whitehead and Bailey Brown on their successes at the collegiate level as they continue to positively represent Enid and Northwest Oklahoma student-athletes.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Since winning just 6 of 17 games to begin the season, among the things the Thunder have simply not done — almost — is suffer a bad loss.

NORMAN — With the way Oklahoma State’s star duo was playing, Oklahoma needed a strong offensive effort to clinch a Bedlam sweep.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Thunder coach Billy Donovan does not betray emotions easily. Not on the court, not when speaking about his team.

NORMAN — Making his first start in nearly a month, Alondes Williams struggled to find his touch on offense against West Virginia.

NORMAN — It was an inflatable, rubber workout ball not much different than those found in local gyms across the country.

NORMAN — For the first time this season, the Thunder will face life without rookie forward Darius Bazley, who suffered a right knee bruise against the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Oklahoma State has added some Division I experience to its cornerback position via the transfer portal.

OKLAHOMA CITY — This time, Kemba Walker hit the shots, rather than Chris Paul.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Much about the scene on Ballpark Way seemed a bit strange.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Thunder postgame locker room was subdued and quiet Sunday, as though something had happened that hardly ever happens, perhaps because it had.

Need to know

Ja’Mee Asberry sped down the court as the crowd at Gallagher-Iba Arena rose to their feet.

Neville Gallimore, Jalen Hurts, CeeDee Lamb and Kenneth Murray were invited to the NFL Combine, the league announced Friday.

Mike Boynton and his Oklahoma State men’s basketball team avoided making history in one of the worst ways possible.

NORMAN — Ana Llanusa spotted a loose ball, dove for it at the feet of West Virginia’s Blessing Ejofor and let her body skid across the floor.

Mike Gundy is keeping it in the family with the latest high school signee for the 2020 recruiting class.

NORMAN — Matt Daniels couldn’t relax that night.

Moore High School and its families have received an outpouring of support for six cross-country and track runners who were struck by a pickup truck in a fatal hit-and-run collision Monday afternoon.

The newest member of the Thunder, Isaiah Roby, who came to Oklahoma City in the trade that sent Justin Patton to Dallas on Jan. 24 — the Mavs subsequently waived Patton to make room for Willie Cauley-Stein — met with the media for the first time on Monday.

West Virginia at

The trade deadline comes and goes at 3 p.m. Thursday. The Thunder could be busy or not busy, sellers or buyers.

COMING UP

NORMAN — Any coach would love to know exactly what to expect from their roster each outing. Four or five players to rely on would be ideal, says Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger.

NORMAN — Parnell Motley was a frequently mentioned name coming out of the East-West Shrine Bowl, one of the senior bowls that can impact players’ NFL draft stock.

Wyatt Sheets escaped the grasp of Jarrett Jacques with just seconds to go in the third period, but still trailed by a pair of points.