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Boren’s tax proposal under fire OU donor, oil company CEO not listed on brief TANNER OSBORNE news reporter @tannerosbear
The Oklahoma Municipal League, Dewey Bartlett Jr., the mayor of Tulsa and Harold Hamm, Continental Resources CEO, signed an application for a joint amicus brief against OU President David Boren’s proposed sale tax plan Dec. 3. The brief, which was filed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court Dec. 7, sided with OCPA Impact, an Oklahoman advocacy group,
regarding the proposed tax. However, although Hamm’s name appeared on the application, it was absent from the actual brief. Only the Oklahoma Municipal League and Bartlett’s names were present. It is unclear if this means Hamm’s name is absent on the brief because of a switch in his position on Boren’s tax proposal. The brief contains grievances relating to the constitutionality of Boren’s proposed penny tax and states that it “threatens the ability of municipalities to provide basic public services.” Carolyn Stager, the executive director of the Oklahoma Municipal League, said Oklahoma has become
overly dependent on sales taxes, which affects why the groups are opposing the tax. “Our board supports the goal of teacher pay raises and competitive wages,” Stager said. However, Stager said the board does not believe the penny tax is the best way to achieve that. Hamm could not be reached for comment, and OU Press Secretary Corbin Wallace said in a statement on behalf of Boren Dec. 7 that he does not believe Hamm is opposed to more funding for education. A longtime donor to OU, Hamm said he and his wife have donated more than $30 million to the university, including $20 million for the
establishment of the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center at the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. Hamm’s relationship with the university goes deeper than cash, however. He also has a professional relationship with Boren, who serves on the Continental Resources Board of Directors. Boren received $349,720 for this position in 2014. Furthermore, according to an article by Bloomberg Business, Hamm wanted scientists who were studying connections between the oil and gas industry and earthquakes dismissed from the university. Boren also came to Hamm’s defense this summer after an article by Environment and Energy
Publishing said the university formulated its position on whether or not the oil industry causes earthquakes, while it was seeking a grant from him. “It is reprehensible to me that one or two people in the media have tried to attack a donor to the university for being so generous,” Boren said in a statement released this past summer. Stager said she could not speak for the other parties opposing Boren’s tax plan or say whether or not they hold the same grievances as the Oklahoma Municipal League, adding that the other parties may have a “different slant” on the matter.
Admins hope to simplify funding New system will give students list of eligible scholarships for ease TANNER OSBORNE
REWARDED WITH AWARDS
TYLER WOODWARD/THE DAILY
Fans fill the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Nov. 21 for OU’s final home game against TCU. OU beat the Horned Frogs 30-29.
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY
TY BAKER MAYFIELD DARLINGTON AWARDS Burlsworth Award winner: Nation’s top player who began career as a walkon USA Today second team All-American
AWARDS Wuerffel Trophy winner: Exemplary community service combined with academic and athletic achievement.
SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY
LINCOLN RILEY
STERLING SHEPARD
AWARDS Broyles Award winner: Nation’s top assistant coach
AWARDS USA Today second team All-American
SEE PAGE
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news reporter @tannerosbear
The OU Scholarship Office has released a new and potentially easier application process for students to apply for scholarships from various colleges on campus. The process is done through the Centralize d Academic Scholarship Hub, or CASH for short, and is open to all current OU students. However, incoming freshmen will still apply through the university’s admission process, according to the Scholarship Office press release. Alison Baker, director of the Scholarship Office, said that the system itself is more centralized, and it allows the students applying to fill out just one questionnaire that can then be applied to all the scholarships which that student is eligible for. “We wanted to make the process of applying for scholarships seamless and easy. College is hard enough as is. Applying for scholarships shouldn’t be,” Baker said. “The motivation behind moving to the new system was to benefit students,” Baker said. “Most colleges and departments already had an online scholarship application process. But they all had different deadlines and were housed in different programs. To save students the hassle of keeping track of different deadlines, different processes and from entering the same information over and over again, one comprehensive application system seemed like a natural next step.”
SEE CASH PAGE 3
Provost gives inaugural lecture for institute Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing to create better citizens
for the Study of Human Flourishing about virtue, community and higher education on Thursday. Harper spoke about how those three tenets are interrelated in a MARY SMITH university setting. He spoke about news reporter @marysmitty21 virtue and its origins, the importance of community and how they OU Provost Kyle Harper gave the relate to a college education. inaugural lecture for the Institute “It was sort of a kick-off lecture,
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you might say,” institute director Nancy Snow said. Harper wants to make the argument that virtue, community and higher education are all related. He said the goal of OU and the new institute is to shape students into good, virtuous citizens who care about things larger than themselves.
“We don’t produce degrees; we produce citizens of the world,” Harper said. “How we should live is inherent and embedded in who we are.” Harper said it is up to OU to train students within the community to be better citizens and allow them to find things they are passionate about.
OU DAILY OUDaily.com
Harper’s lecture was the first and last lecture of the semester, but the institute will hold more lectures next semester as well as in the next two years, Snow said. Mary Smith mcsooner19@gmail.com
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• Wednesday, December 9, 2015
NEWS
Page Jones, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
Director promoted to new role College to increase diversity with new administrative job BRIANNA SIMS news reporter @briannana18
An OU faculty member has been appointed to a position that will increase diversity and community in the College of Arts and Sciences. Paola Lopez was promoted to the founding director of student development and community in the College of Arts and Sciences and is excited to accomplish a longheld goal for Dean Kelly Damphousse.
“It’s been the dean’s vision to really enhance the services in the community, here, in our college. The role is really to work with the multiple elements of the college to build a more inclusive environment and services for students,” Lopez said. She said this new position will take the college above and beyond what it has been in the past. “We want to really, really take the College of Arts and Sciences to the next level on the student services side and be on the future forefront on how to make this college environment the best it can be,” Lopez said. She is honored to serve the
arts and sciences students and looks forward to building the different branches of the college with the students. “I look forward to fostering an environment where the students can thrive, rise to their potential and achieve their dreams,” Lopez said. The dean had this position on his radar for a while, Lopez said, but after the Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident and the events that followed it in the spring, Damphousse saw there was a need for someone to serve the students and foster the their academic potential. “I had the opportunity to have the conversation and see where I can contribute.
As an arts and sciences grad, I couldn’t pass up the dream job and the opportunity to serve students at a greater capacity,” Lopez said. Before she had this position, Lopez served as the director of OU Diversity Enrichment Programs within the office of admissions and recruitment for six years. She said she is honored to be trusted with the students and is excited to facilitate their learning within the College of Arts and Sciences. Brianna Sims Brianna.M.Sims-1@ou.edu
PROVIDED BY OU ADMISSIONS & RECRUITMENT
Paola Lopez to serve as the founding director of student development and community in the College of Arts and Sciences
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Star Wars game clear choice in new releases
Jessie Barber, arts & entertainment editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/life&arts • Twitter: @OUDailyArts
›››› Sooner Sampler: What are your dead week rituals?
Battlefront provides authentic worlds, but Call of Duty delivers same ol’ experience
“Making sure I get enough sleep and exercising. I like to go to the classes they offer at the Huff.”
Max Root // a&e reporter
CHESNEY WOODCHEK, LETTERS FRESHMAN
“Call of Duty: Black Ops 3”
“Star Wars: Battlefront”
Playstation 4, Playstation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
Playstation 4, Playstation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC
The newest video game from the developer company Treyarch is “Call of Duty: Black Ops 3,” a futuristic, military first-person shooter game. This year’s “Call of Duty” game followed the same path as last year’s “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,” which included advanced technology into both the campaign and multiplayer. While the campaign is colorful and beautiful, it is ultimately underwhelming. Unimpressive writing with a jagged narrative, it tries to tell a story most unlike previous “Call of Duty” storylines. I’m glad they attempted it, but I did not enjoy the campaign. The multiplayer shines, though. With the inclusion of a thruster, players have the ability to hover, run on walls and navigate the map more quickly. This component adds an entirely new element to the “Black Ops” series, and it is wonderful to see. Also new are specialists, controllable characters with different abilities and weapons. Examples include powerful pistols, bows and grenade launchers. Every player gets them, too. I found myself going from character to character each game, changing up the match in a small way. It’s easy to tell the game is still “Call of Duty,” and at this point, that is not good. The series releases a new entry every year, and with that comes repetition. While Treyarch made a noble effort, the game still became boring after a short time. I recognize it is a great multiplayer, but it is the same multiplayer I have played since I was 13. The game also included is a survival zombie mode, set in the fictional, neo-noir Morgue City. It’s creepy, beautiful and addicting. It is also very difficult, but die-hard zombies fans will feel right at home. The mode includes new perks, like Widow’s Wine, which give players the ability to slow down enemies with webbing. It also includes more detailed gun customization, with the ability to add sights and attachments to your weapons. New enemies include a giant monster called the Margwa, flying parasites, and insanity elementals, which are essentially rolling, exploding meatballs. Overall the mode is a blast and a definite plus to the game.
The reboot of the popular the “Star Wars” multiplayer first person shooter has finally hit shelves. I picked it up on day one, and so far, I am absolutely loving it. The game is gorgeous and painstakingly authentic. The developer, DICE, photocopied actual “Star Wars” props and other materials, and so when you play the game, you are playing inside the “Star Wars universe.” The gun play is awesome, too. Similar to earlier games in the series, hip fire is very accurate. On top of that, all guns in the game are laser powered, so guns are able to be shot much faster without worry of reloading. Overheating is still an issue, but it is very manageable. There are five planets in the game: Hoth, Endor, Tatooine, Sullust and Jakku. They are all beautifully rendered and very large, with room for up to 40 players. My personal favorite is Endor. When the game starts, I am no longer in my bedroom but in the overwhelming and nostalgic planet where Ewoks run free and speeders whiz by. It is euphoric. Also available are hero tokens, which are randomly and sparingly placed powerups that allow you to play as iconic characters from the original trilogy. The heroes have Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia, while the villains have Darth Vader, The Emperor and Boba Fett. Some heroes are clearly better than others, but the advantage is not bothersome. Boba Fett should definitely be nerfed, though. The problem that plagues “Star Wars: Battlefront,” though, is lack of content. Yeah, there are five planets, but that isn’t very many. They are used in creative ways to produce more than five maps, but there is still a lot to be desired. Players also only have access to 11 guns, which is significantly less than the 31 in “Black Ops 3.” There is a survival mode and battle mode, but both are very bare and leave a lot to be desired. Luckily, DICE and EA, the developers, will be adding a lot more content, but at the steep price of $50 for the season pass. Not only is that one of the highest priced season passes, it is bundled into a game with shockingly low content already. The core game is great, and I’m excited to play more, but the plan to roll out content over the course of the year is lunacy. I’m very disappointed. However, if you love “Star Wars,” I still recommend it. Renting would be better, though. Each shooter is very different. While “Black Ops 3” offers more content, I would still choose “Star Wars: Battlefront” just because of its authentic commitment to the “Star Wars” universe. The immersive feeling of being Boba Fett or Luke Skywalker is uncanny, and nothing in “Black Ops 3” produces the same kind of fast-paced fun. If you want a complete package and have never played a “Call of Duty” game before, choose “Call of Duty: Black Ops 3.” You won’t be disappointed. For my fellow rebels, though, it is an obvious choice.
“I like to get up super early and go to the great reading room.” ROBERT BAXTER, ENERGY MANAGEMENT SENIOR
“Eating lots of junk food, lots of stress eating.” HANNAH FRANKLIN, PUBLIC RELATIONS JUNIOR
“I eat really unhealthy, just anything delicious.” SAMUEL SON, PETROLEUM ENGINEERING SENIOR
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Presidential Dream Course BIOL 3103 Life at the Extremes Public Seminar
Insights into early vertebrate evolution from the developmental biology of hemichordates Dr. Christopher Lowe Stanford University
Learn about genes that help make some very interesting animals, including us
Wednesday, December 9th 4:30 p.m. Physical Sciences Center, Room 201 PHOTO FROM GAMEZONE.COM
PHOTO FROM POPSCI.COM
For accommodations on the basis of disability or more information call (405)325-2658 or email ebridge@ou.edu
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 •
NEWS
3
Page Jones, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
Sooners making a splash CLASSIFIEDS OU organization to create first swim club since 1970s BRIANNA SIMS
CASH: Continued from Page One Sophomore and public relations/public affairs major JD Baker said he had applied for scholarships the old fashioned way last year, and he thought the process was overly complicated. “Each college had their own process, but no one was on the same page,� he said. JD Baker said before CASH, he had used a similar system for the Oklahoma City Community system and that he had found it a lot simpler to use. “The old system was very sporadic. You really had to go out and look for scholarships if you wanted them,� JD Baker said. Baker said the CASH system will make it easier for students like him who are a part of two colleges and want to take advantage of all the scholarship possibilities. “It will save everyone a lot of time and money,� he said. CASH is meant to shorten the process for applying for scholarships, according to a press release from the scholarship office. Students will fill out a short questionnaire to highlight their interests and desires
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Sophomore Abrianna Dolfi (top) and freshman Emily Vittitow practice at the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex. The Splash Squad Swim Club has only been active for one semester.
using techniques I learned from my old coaches. But it would be better if we had an actual coach, so we can have better practices.� Since the group is new, it hasn’t organized any events yet, she said. “I think what we hope to do and what would be nice to have is a table at the activities fair at the beginning of next year,� Emily Vittitow, an industrial engineering analytics freshman and communications chair for the swim club, said. “In regards to other events, at some point we want to host a meet for other Oklahoma clubs at the OU pool.� The members all swam in high school and were disappointed they had to give up their hobby when they came to OU. “It’s important for me and other people like me who like to swim and want to
continue swimming. That way you don’t have to finish your swimming career in high school if you want to come to OU,� SanchezRodriguez said. Sanchez-Rodriguez is passionate about swimming and resurrecting the swim program. She feels like it would be a great way for people to meet other swimmers and enjoy the hobby together. “I am a swimmer and was on the swim team in high school, and when I came to OU, I had to quit swimming because there’s not a team here,� Sanchez-Rodriguez. “I decided to start something so people can continue swimming if they really enjoy it. This is a great opportunity for that.� There are many students at OU from across the nation who would benefit by joining this club, Vittitow
for college scholarships. Then, they are given a list of scholarships that meet those requirements. For example, the press release stated that a student with an interest in botany and studying abroad and a student who is a single parent and interested in accounting would both receive different lists of scholarships for which he or she is eligible. “Our main goal is to have scholarship application numbers increase,� Alison Baker said. “We work with colleges that press their students annually to apply for scholarships, only to have a small number submitted. We believe with the CASH system, students will be more likely to apply. Students logging into the system may be looking for one specific application but will be driven to all applications they are eligible to complete.� She said that more specific scholarships will call for more specific requirements, like a separate essay. Some of these scholarships include being active or retired law enforcement, having an interest in international photography and being a direct descendent of World War I or Vietnam veterans. There are also scholarships that apply to those who have recently suffered property
loss or are survivors of the Murrah Building bombing or May 1999 tornadoes. Alison Baker said she encourages students to visit the website and apply for scholarships. However, she also said that some degrees and programs may have further requirements through their departments and that if students have any questions, they can call the scholarship office for clarification.
Previous Solution
Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
said. “A lot of students come from Texas and California, where swimming is a massive sport, and there’s not an outlet for all of that talent in the pool here,� Vittitow said. The club encourages anyone interested in swimming to join. “It’s a lot of fun, but once we have more members, we’ll be able to organize a lot of team bonding,� Vittitow said. “It’s a great way to make friends for quote-unquote ‘life,’� Sanchez-Rodriguez said. Brianna Sims Brianna.M.Sims-1@ou.edu
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APPLY ONLINE Use the Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub (CASH) system to apply for scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year: ou.edu/scholarships Deadline: Feb. 1, 2016
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015
Anyone with an ou.edu email address can place their ad in the Classified section of The Oklahoma Daily at no cost. Simply email your ad copy to classifieds@ou.edu, along with name, address and phone contact information. Maximum 5 lines and 10-issue run per listing.
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An OU student organization is striving to resurrect the swim program on campus by organizing the first swim club since the 1970s. OU is abundant in sporting programs and opportunities, but the university lacks a swim program and an official swim team. The Splash Squad Swim Club has been active for only one semester and consists of three swimmers and two executive members, Andy Sanchez-Rodriguez, a biology sophomore and president of the swim club, said. “We want to get to the level of nationals,� SanchezRodriguez said. “So we want to start competing next semester and then hopefully getting a name and going to big events.� “Anyone can join as long as they can swim 25 yards or one length of the pool. They can join any time by simply just emailing me or hitting ‘like’ on our Facebook page,� she said. As far as funding goes, the group hasn’t applied for it due to the size of its club, but it’s optimistic for the future. “We’ll look at funding probably in the future, especially when we get more members in order to fund f o r a c o a c h,� S a n c h e z Ro d r ig u ez s a i d . “ R ig ht now, I’m coaching, so I’m
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Make a point to share your thoughts, plans Employ innovative ideas and techniques and feelings with someone special. The to get what you want. Too much boast- support you receive and the input thatĘźs ing will work against you. Support your offered will give you the momentum you need to reach your goals. suggestions and plans with facts, and make it a point to deliver. Reputation is GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Take on everything, and this year in particular a challenge, but donĘźt underestimate you will have to work to maintain it. any opponent you face. Positive change is heading your way. Prove that you SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Rumors will circulate if you havenĘźt been are responsible and ready to handle honest with someone. Caution must be whatever challenge you encounter. taken while traveling or dealing with CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Getting authoritative individuals. Giving the together with old friends or reminiscing wrong answer will result in trouble. about the past will spark new enthusiProtect your reputation. asm and lead to the revival of hobbies CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Finish- and activities that you used to enjoy. ing what you start should be your main Romance is encouraged. objective. You will feel relieved and in LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Bide your the mood to celebrate with someone time and focus on jobs you have left you love once the work is done. Make unfinished. Being productive will make an impression by planning something you look good and help you avoid lavish. troublesome emotional encounters. Listen to the voice of experience. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Size up your situation and make decisions VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Uncertainty based on your findings. DonĘźt let your will plague you. You should delay emotions lead you down the wrong making a decision if you have doubts path. Change can be good if your about the situation. ItĘźs better to be motives are pure. safe than to appease someone whoĘźs taking advantage of you. Treat yourself PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- YouĘźll to some pampering. have a creative way of dealing with personal matters. Your actions, LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Taking a consideration and affection will play trip or expanding your knowledge will important roles in your day. Love and spark interest in an unusual vocation. romance should take precedence over Consider your options and how you can more humdrum matters. Show how turn something you love doing into a much you care. moneymaking venture. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Prepare for SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- DonĘźt be the festive season. Financial gains look afraid to be different. ItĘźs your special promising, with many contracts, settleway of doing things that attracts ments and winnings heading your way. Travel plans will give you the incentive to interest and attention. Romance should take top priority. An offer is heading tie up loose ends. your way.
Eats flies. Dates a pig. Hollywood star.
LIVE YOUR DREAMS Pass It On. www.forbetterlife.org
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 9, 2015
ACROSS 1 Brother of Cain and Abel 5 Inventory’s place 10 Little leftovers 14 Masseur’s target 15 Jungle inhabitant 16 One of Kelsey’s co-stars 17 Make an appearance 18 Be in concurrence 19 Like supervillains 20 Signal withdrawal 23 Topple from power 24 English noblemen 25 Sotto voce remarks 29 Need renewal 31 “Julius Caesar� setting 32 Use a debit card, perhaps 34 Capture, as a burglar 37 Was heroic, in a way 41 Biathlete’s need 42 Synthetic silklike fabric 43 Wimbledon great Sampras 44 Shave Parmesan 12/9
46 Like some collisions 48 Farm measures 50 Dogged little pest 52 Pet bird, e.g. 59 Get ___ (board) 60 Fortuneteller’s deck 61 Low, sturdy cart 62 Antivirus buyer 63 With mouth wide open 64 Dublin’s isle 65 Obsolete “for fear that� 66 Caesar or chef’s 67 Min. divisions DOWN 1 Backtalk 2 Alpine bounceback 3 You, in the Bible 4 Cut, as wood 5 Kind of symbol 6 States of elation 7 Everglades dweller 8 Eye provocatively 9 Liberated 10 Covent Garden performances 11 Venerated 12 Tribulation’s partner 13 Delta deposits 21 Bambi’s mom, for one
22 Native American home 25 Rainbow curves 26 Prewash cycle 27 Changes residency in a big way 28 “A Raisin in the Sun� star Ruby 29 Bank’s protection 30 Boom time for a CPA 32 Eyelid problem 33 “Guess ___?� 35 Something to set a camera on? 36 “Where have you ___?� 38 Recycled stuff 39 Feedbag item
40 Site for a sauna 45 Caustic counter 46 Raised with effort 47 Anvil locale 48 Run ___ of the law 49 Burn a perfume stick 50 Far from domesticated 51 Parkinson’s drug 53 Announcements to passengers 54 Sitarist’s rendition 55 Bad day for Caesar 56 A Great Lake 57 Dealer’s nemesis 58 Some hair-care products
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IN HERE By Philip C. Riley
4
• Wednesday, December 9, 2015
SPORTS
Dillon Hollingsworth, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
Sooner center honored for off-thefield achievements Oklahoma center Ty Darlington has won the Wuerffel Trophy, the National Football Foundation announced Tuesday. The Wuerffel Trophy is awarded for exemplary community service combined with academic and athletic achievement. Darlington graduated from OU with an arts and sciences degree and is working on a master’s in adult and higher education, according to Fox Sports. The football senior was named to the 2015-16 Big 12 Student Advisory Committee. He has been to Haiti with other Oklahoma athletes three times to help with post-earthquake recovery efforts, as well. Darlington was named a team captain for the 2015 season as a senior. He was an outspoken leader on the football team during the SAE incident in March 2015. “It almost tore us apart,” Darlington said. “We had the longest couple days of our life—a lot of screaming and yelling, some near physical altercations.” Brady Vardeman, assistant sports editor
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY
Senior guard Isaiah Cousins makes his way to the rim against McNeese State on Nov. 11. The Sooners beat Villanova 78-55 on Monday night in Hawaii.
Three-pointer: What we learned from Hawaii trip JOHN WALKER men’s basketball reporter @jtw2213 No. 7 Oklahoma walloped the No. 9 Villanova Wildcats 78-55 in Hawaii on Monday night. The Sooners overwhelmed the Wildcats with their three-point attack while locking down defensively, holding Villanova to its lowest point total of the season. Here are three things to take away from the Sooners dominant performance at the Pearl Harbor Invitational:
Anyone can be a threat from the perimeter on a given night The days of Buddy Hield isolations and stagnant ball movement seem more like a distant memory with each passing game. Much like the team’s defensive improvements, the Sooners have undergone an offensive makeover that has led to more ball movement and open looks from the perimeter. Oklahoma shot 14-for-26 from three against Villanova, the most three-pointers the Sooners have made in two seasons. It figured to be that kind of night when Oklahoma’s first six scores came from behind the arc. Isaiah Cousins and Hield buried four three-pointers each while senior guard Dinjiyl Walker added three more off the bench. Cousins, Hield and junior guard Jordan Woodard are top 10 in three-point percentage among Big 12 players. Even the gritty senior forward, Ryan Spangler, has flaunted his newfound shooting range, shooting 45 percent from the three-point line this season. Collectively, Oklahoma elevated itself statistically as the best perimeter shooting team in the country, hitting 46.5 percent from three. With coach Lon Kruger’s motion offense, ample passing from the perimeter and six players shooting above 40 percent from deep, the Sooners can find scoring from a number of sources at a moment’s notice. “Coach Kruger preaches to move the basketball, and we can’t be selfish,” Hield said. “They preach that to us every day in practice, and it paid off.”
Isaiah Cousins is playing like an All-American Hield remains at the forefront of Oklahoma’s basketball program—and for good reason. But just as pertinent to Oklahoma’s early season success has been the production from fellow guard Cousins. The Mount Vernon native has grown into a versatile player for the Sooners, using his expansive skillset at a high level this season. On Monday, Cousins had a career night against the ninth-ranked Wildcats. The fourthyear guard finished with 19 points, including four treys and a career-high 10 assists. Cousins was also part of the Sooners defensive force that held the Wildcats to just 12.5 percent from beyond the arc. “Isaiah was terrific,” Kruger said in a release after the game. “In that second half, he just made so many good plays for other players. He was able to knock down the jumper, but when they stepped at him, he was able to drive it and kick and made good wide open jumpers for other people.” Cousins is averaging 14.2 points per game and ranks second in three-point percentage and fifth in assists. It’s still early in the regular season, but there are few backcourt combinations in the country that can match up with the duo of Cousins and Hield.
Sooners defense has potential to be special Coach Lon Kruger has preached defense to his club for years, and he is seeing the fruits of his labor. The Sooners have made defensive strides each season, but this is Kruger’s best defensive unit to date. Oklahoma has produced some elite defensive production this season (first in field goal percentage defense, third in defensive rating) while facing respectable squads like Memphis and Wisconsin. But when the national spotlight pointed directly on Oklahoma Monday night, the Sooners responded with one of the best defensive performances in the Kruger era. The Sooners held the No. 9 Villanova Wildcats, and their perimeter-oriented offense, to just 4-for-32 from behind the arc. While Villanova kept it to just a 10-point deficit midway through the second half, Oklahoma closed the game on a 26-13 run in the last 10 minutes. While five Sooners scored double-digits figures, no Wildcats scored above 10 points Monday night. “We came out ready,” Hield said. “We knew they were a great team, and we had to come out here and execute.”
Senior center Ty Darlington raises his hand to the crowd in the game against Texas on Oct. 10. Darlington was honored with the Wuerffel Trophy.
OU offensive coordinator named nation’s top assistant coach First-year Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley added to a big awards week for the Sooners by winning the 2015 Broyles Award on Tuesday. The Broyles Award is given annually to the best assistant coach in college football. Riley is the first OU coordinator to win the award since Kevin Wilson in 2008. “I don’t even know if I have the words,” Riley said in his acceptance speech. “I’m incredibly humbled. I’ll be thrilled to take this back to Oklahoma for our coaches and for our team because that’s who it’s for. “Thank you guys for making this one of the best days of my life.” Riley took Oklahoma from the No. 20 scoring offense to, currently, No. 3 this season. And after OU’s 8-5 season in 2014, Oklahoma is the No. 4 seed in this year’s College Football Playoff. Riley becomes the third Oklahoma assistant to win the award, joining Wilson and Mark Mangino (2000). North Carolina’s Gene Chizik, Alabama’s Kirby Smart, Baylor’s Kendal Briles and Clemson’s Brent Venables were finalists for the award as well. Riley and Kirby Smart have the potential to meet in the College Football Playoff national championship game if both OU and Alabama win on Dec. 31. Riley’s offense and Venables’ Clemson defense will clash, however, in this year’s Orange Bowl semifinal game in Miami, Florida. Riley was linked to the South Carolina and North Texas head coaching vacancy this past month, but it appears he’ll stay put as OU’s play-caller for at least one more year and help Oklahoma as it fights for its eighth national title this postseason. Joe Buettner, assistant sports editor
Twitter adds logo hashtags for College Football Playoff finalists Twitter Sports unveiled specialized hashtags for each of the four College Football Playoff teams. The hashtags will automatically add each team’s logo as an emoji to the end of hashtag. Twitter began incorporating emojis with hashtags during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, calling them “hashflags.” The hashtags have also been utilized in a growing number of events, including the 2015 MLB Playoffs, the release of the newest Star Wars film and now the College Football Playoff. Sooners fans can see this in action if they tweet #BoomerSooner starting today. Scott Hiney, sports reporter
Trio of Sooners earn USA Today AllAmerica recognitions Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, receiver Sterling Shepard and cornerback Zack Sanchez were named USA Today second team All-Americans on Tuesday morning. The trio marks the first time the Sooners have had an All-American since Gabe Ikard received the honor in 2013. It’s the first time since 2008 the Sooners have had three All-Americans in one season. The news comes after Mayfield was snubbed for the Heisman Trophy and Shepard was overlooked for the Belitnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver. Mayfield has 3,389 passing yards and 42 total touchdowns this season. Shepard has also had a careeryear, totaling 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sanchez, who battled an ankle injury throughout November, has six interceptions and seven pass breakups this season. Sanchez was named first team All-Big 12 by the league’s coaches and AP as well as second team by ESPN in 2014. He was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writer’s Association of America in 2013. Spenser Davis, football reporter