Bedlam rivalry burns bright for family of Oklahoma State basketball’s Bryce Thompson

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A neutral party in the Bedlam rivalry, Rod Thompson loves to hear the chatter when his children, Bryce and Sydney, are both at home.

Sydney Thompson is a junior volleyball player at OU. And older brother Bryce is an Oklahoma State basketball player.

“Sydney is a little feisty,” Rod said with a laugh. “She’s always letting Bryce know it’s ‘Boomer.’ And Bryce is ‘Go Pokes.’

“We just feel blessed to have two athletes at two great institutions.”

Rod, of course, was a Tulsa basketball player, and his wife, Goldie, played volleyball there as well. So they stay in the middle ground, but enjoy the chirping that comes with having an athlete on each side of the state’s great rivalry.

Yet it’ll never be quite the same as this weekend.

When OSU and OU meet in the men’s basketball edition of Bedlam at 7 p.m. Saturday at Paycom Center, it’ll be the last such matchup for Bryce, who is in his final season of eligibility at OSU.

More: How fast-rising NBA draft prospect Jeremiah Fears leads OU basketball into Bedlam

OSU guard Bryce Thompson (1) celebrates after making a basket during the season opener against Green Bay at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater on Nov. 4.

“There’s been a little bit of trash talk,” Bryce said of his sister. “I think she wants me to win, but there’s a little small rivalry there.”

It feels odd for the Thompsons knowing this will be Bryce’s final Bedlam, now that the game has become a non-conference meeting.

“It’s a little bittersweet, knowing it’ll be the last one,” Rod said. “Being from the state, we know how great these games can be.

“We’re just thankful to be a part of it.”

If OSU (6-2) is going to take down the undefeated and 13th-ranked Sooners (9-0), Bryce likely will play a large role.

The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 11.3 points and just a hair under two assists per game, leading the team in minutes as a consistent veteran voice on the court.

“Bryce has been fantastic,” first-year Cowboy coach Steve Lutz said….

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bedlam-rivalry-burns-bright-family-113057000.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-12-14 11:30:00

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