Jenni Carlson: No official timeframe on OU's NCAA waiver request for Jalen Saunders

The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson took questions from readers in today's Power Lunch Chat. Participate in our Power Lunch Chats Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on NewsOK.com/Sports.

By Jenni Carlson | Published: August 31, 2012 Comment on this article

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Also on the OSU game, do you or Gina Mizell know if Tracy Moore is going to play tomorrow? Seems like the ideal time to hold him out because of the off-the-field stuff.

I have to admit that I don't know anything specific, but after he got into trouble last year before the Fiesta Bowl, then having that incident earlier this month, it will be interesting to see if there's any more punishment to be doled out.

Any thoughts on trading Perk and Harden to the kings for Cousins, Jimmer and Evans?

I'd hate to see Perk and Harden go. Those guys are hugely important to the success of the Thunder. Frankly, it would be a huge downgrade if Cousins replaced Perk. Cousins is wildly talented, but he's like Andrew Bynum. He's just not mentally as tough or strong as Perk.

But at the same time, I wouldn't rule anything out. I mean, when the Thunder traded Jeff Green, I was shocked. I didn't think that would happen, so you just never know what Sam Presti will do.

What is going on with D.J. Ward? Are they going to mess around and ruin this kid's eligibility?

I don't know what to tell you about the D.J. Ward situation. I was shocked to read this morning that he'd transferred to Southmoore. Here's a guy who's the best recruit in the state, and they had to go through the whole appeal process with the OSSAA to get him eligible at Douglass. And now, hours before the high school season kicks off, he goes to Southmoore?

It's all very odd to me. I have to think he's going to struggle to get cleared to play there. I hope that isn't the case because he's such a great player, but it sure seems like it could be a problem.

With all the effort on both Oklahoma and Texas' part not to let one get too far ahead of the other, when is OU going to consider expanding Memorial Stadium to bring it more in line with Texas' 100,000 seat football stadium?

Well, I think another expansion has always been what OU wanted to do. Remember, they added an upper deck on the east side not long ago. The way I understand it, the long-term, pie-in-the-sky plan is to go ahead and deck around the north end of the stadium, too. Basically, do an expansion that would connect the existing upper decks on the east and west side. I'm not sure how many seats that would add, but I have to think it would push the capacity toward 100,000 if not put it over that number

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