Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

NIL

Texas Tech’s ‘million-dollar arm’ ends Oklahoma’s NCAA softball dynasty

Published

on


The Oklahoma softball dynasty is over, at least for now. Monday night, June 2, Texas Tech knocked off the Sooners to reach their first championship series. In the process, they ended Oklahoma’s run of four consecutive national titles.

How did Texas Tech knock off the four-time defending champs?

Like all champions, Oklahoma did not go quietly. Down to their final strike in the bottom of the 7th inning, the Sooners’ number nine hitter, Abigale Dayton, hit a two-run homer to tie the game at two. It was the only mistake Texas Tech superstar pitcher NiJaree Canady made all night.

Canady’s teammates didn’t flinch. They bailed her out in the bottom of the inning with a couple of hits and a walk-off sacrifice fly to win it 3-2. Head coach Gerry Glasco’s players had their “David versus Goliath” moment.

“That’s been our motto all year, our chance at forever,” Glasco said. “We can leave a legacy at Texas Tech that will be remembered forever in the minds of the people that are able to watch this ball club. I think that we’ve done that. I think our team has left a legacy that’ll be remembered forever.”

Why is NiJaree Canady in the spotlight?

The Red Raiders leaned on their own giant to get it done. Canady earned National Player of the Year honors at Stanford last season. She made headlines in the summer of 2024 when she transferred to Texas Tech, becoming the first softball player in history to sign a $1 million name, image and likeness deal.

Unbiased. Straight Facts.TM

NiJaree Canady’s historic NIL deal came from The Matador Club, Texas Tech’s NIL collective, which offered a one-year, $1,050,024 contract.

All she’s done this season is post a 33-5 record with an ERA at 0.90. Canady has thrown every pitch for her team in this Women’s College World Series run. Canady was one strike away from holding the Sooners scoreless for the first time in 300 games, a streak that spans 6 years and counting. She was asked how they pulled it off.

“We just played for each other,” Canady said. “Honestly, I feel like a lot of people doubted us and a lot of people didn’t think we would get to this point. So, I think we just didn’t have any pressure on us. We just wanted to go out, play softball and play our game.”

Glasco said Canady’s leadership might be the ingredient that put his team over the top and relayed a conversation he had with her while recruiting the superstar to come to small-town Lubbock, Texas. 

“One of the things I kept telling her,” Glasco said. “Hey, if you come to Texas Tech and you take us to the World Series, your market value in advertisements, your shelf life will be seven, eight times more than if you went to a blue blood, like a UCLA, or an Alabama or Tennessee or Oklahoma. If you come here and you take this team to the World Series, there’s no comparison.”

What’s next for Oklahoma?

Coach Glasco also made sure to put his team’s win into perspective. He compared the Sooners to another all-time great program.

“What they’ve done is historic, legendary,” Glasco said. “When I was a kid, we grew up talking about John Wooden and UCLA basketball, and I still think of John Wooden and UCLA when I think of college basketball. That’s what Patty Gasso has done and what Oklahoma’s done, great champions.”

Patty Gasso shed some tears Monday. With 14 newcomers, she very nearly coached the Sooners to their sixth straight championship series. The record run of titles may be done but Gasso, who has eight national championships since 1995, says she has never thought about coaching a dynasty.

“Losing is not fun, but losing is life,” Gasso said. “We all lose at something. It’s hard, but it’s lessons learned from it. And I think that’s probably what’s most important for me.” 

The Red Raiders will meet rival Texas in the best-of-three championship series starting Wednesday, June 4, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in a rivalry referred to in college football as “The Battle For The Chancellor’s Spurs.” The Longhorns knocked Tennessee out of the tournament Tuesday, June 3. Both teams are hoping to win their first national title. 



Joey Nunez (Video Editor)


and Devin Pavlou (Digital Producer)

contributed to this report.



Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NIL

College Basketball Rankings: Coaches Poll Top 25 updated after Week 8

Published

on


The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll Top 25 has been refreshed following the eighth week of the season. It was a bit of a light week due to Christmas, but some showdowns still took place amid the holiday celebrations, resulting in some movement throughout the Top 25.

With conference play picking up this coming weekend, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, where the rankings will fluctuate week-in and week-out. While this past week was packed with tune-up games and not a ton of riveting action, that won’t be the case from now until April.

Regardless, the Coaches Poll Top 25 is certain to see plenty of movement. For now, here’s how things stack up after Week 8. This week’s updated rankings are below.

Michigan enjoyed a full week off and enters the week undefeated at 11–0. The Wolverines return to action with home games against McNeese State on Monday and USC on Friday.

Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been the engine, stuffing the stat sheet with 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Michigan will look to stay perfect as conference play looms.

Arizona
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona rolled past Bethune 107–71 last Monday to improve to 12–0 on the season. The Wildcats host South Dakota State before traveling to Utah for a road test on Saturday.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries has emerged as a steady scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game. Arizona’s depth and tempo continue to overwhelm opponents early in the season.

Iowa State remained perfect at 12–0 after an off week. The Cyclones host Houston Christian on Monday and West Virginia on Friday.

Junior forward Milan Momcilovic leads the team at 18.3 points per game. Iowa State’s balance continues to separate it from most of the field.

UConn had the week off and remains one of the nation’s most complete teams at 12–1. The Huskies head to Xavier on Wednesday before hosting Marquette on Sunday.

Junior guard Solo Ball leads the backcourt with 15.4 points per game. This week offers a strong measuring stick against Big East competition.

Purdue
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Purdue stayed idle last week but remains firmly entrenched near the top of the Coaches Poll with an 11–1 record. The Boilermakers face a tricky week with a home matchup against Kent State on Monday before heading to Wisconsin on Saturday.

Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn continues to anchor the frontcourt, averaging a double-double at 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Purdue’s ability to maintain consistency through a two-game week will be closely watched.

Duke remained idle last week and sits at 11–1 entering a two-game stretch. The Blue Devils host Georgia Tech on Wednesday before traveling to Florida State on Saturday.

Freshman phenom Cameron Boozer has been dominant, averaging 23.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Duke will be tested defensively as ACC play intensifies.

Gonzaga extended its winning streak with a victory over Pepperdine on Sunday and sits at 13–1. The Bulldogs play three times this week, traveling to San Diego before hosting Seattle U and LMU.

Junior forward Braden Huff leads the way with 19.1 points per game. Gonzaga’s depth will be tested during the busy stretch.

Houston
John Jones-Imagn Images

Houston enters the week at 11–1 after a quiet stretch. The Cougars host Middle Tennessee State on Monday before heading to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Senior guard Emanuel Sharp continues to pace the offense with 17.9 points per game. Houston’s defensive pressure remains its calling card heading into conference play.

Michigan State enjoyed a week off and sits at 11–1 on the season. The Spartans host Cornell on Monday before traveling to Nebraska on Friday.

Senior forward Jaxon Kohler has been a force inside, averaging 13.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Michigan State will look to sharpen its execution away from home.

BYU cruised past Eastern Washington 109–81 last Monday to improve to 12–1. The Cougars face a lone test this week with a road trip to Kansas State on Saturday.

Freshman star AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype, averaging 23.1 points per game. BYU’s offense remains one of the most explosive in the country.

11. Vanderbilt
12. North Carolina
13-T. Nebraska
13-T.
Louisville (+1)
15. Alabama
16. Texas Tech
17. Kansas
18. Arkansas
19. Illinois
20. Tennessee
21. Virginia
22. Florida
23. Iowa
24. Georgia
25. St. John’s

Dropped Out: No. 25 USC

Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 35; USC 25; Utah State 14; Auburn 7; Saint Louis 6; Clemson 6; Seton Hall 5; Oklahoma State 5; Yale 4; UCLA 4; Saint Mary’s 4; LSU 3; California 2; Villanova 1; Miami (OH) 1; Indiana 1



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA

Published

on



Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA
photo credit: Craven Whitlow

Add as a preferred source on Google Smash That “Follow” Button

When Bobby Petrino returned to Arkansas after the 2023 season, his first task was finding a new quarterback.

In this era of college football, that also meant funding a new quarterback. For that, the former head coach leaned on his old friend Frank Fletcher.

The Little Rock-based businessman stepped up and footed a large chunk of the bill for Taylen Green, the talented signal caller Petrino identified to run his offense for the Razorbacks.

It hasn’t only been a transactional relationship, though. Over the last two years, Fletcher has been mindful of Green’s life after sports. Rather than simply handing the star quarterback a boatload of cash, he offered something few college athletes receive: personal relationship and mentorship.

“I had a wonderful two years with Taylen Green,” Fletcher said during Monday’s edition of Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “I was lucky that I happened to back a player that was that nice a kid and [had] great parents. I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m teaching him everything I know, and he wants to learn.”

Fletcher helped Green navigate the financial market by giving the QB1 homework, making him chart a series of stocks over a few months – something that could prove even more important after his subpar finish to the 2025 season likely impacted his pro prospects.