The Oklahoma Sooners are 10-0 and one of just four undefeated teams remaining in college basketball. After a pair of lackluster seasons to start the Porter Moser era, the Sooners are off to a blistering start in the 2023-2024 season.
Their 81-47 win over the Green Bay Phoenix on Saturday night was the latest impressive showing on the nonconference schedule.
It was the Sooners’ fourth 30-point win of the season and seventh by 20 or more. And it was a game where their depth continued to show out. Seven players scored eight or more points, with three in double figures.
On the season, the Sooners have three players ([autotag]Otega Oweh[/autotag], [autotag]Javian McCollum[/autotag], and [autotag]John Hugley IV[/autotag]) averaging more than 10 points per game. They also have three more players ([autotag]Milos Uzan[/autotag], [autotag]Jalon Moore[/autotag], and [autotag]Sam Godwin[/autotag] averaging more than eight points per game.
[autotag]Le’Tre Darthard[/autotag] and [autotag]Rivaldo Soares[/autotag] are averaging just under eight points per game, giving the Sooners eight players scoring seven or more points per game this season.
As impressive as the offensive numbers are, the defense is what is turning heads. Oklahoma had 12 steals and four blocks while forcing 20 Green Bay turnovers. On the glass, the Sooners outrebounded the Phoenix 42-26 in the win.
It was another strong statement to the NCAA tournament selection committee. Sure, the opponent isn’t going to move the needle, but the way Oklahoma has dominated teams like Green Bay will certainly make the committee take notice in March.
But according to [autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag], this is a team that can continue to improve.
“I see the gaps of mistakes keep shrinking,” head coach Porter Moser said after the win. “And here’s what’s crazy: I feel like we’ve got a big room to get better, and I think (the players) would say the same thing.”
It was just a one-point game with just under six minutes to play in the first half. But then, the Sooners turned up the defensive pressure, forcing six turnovers in the final six minutes and going on a 15-0 run to close the half.
The Oklahoma Sooners have just three more nonconference games before opening Big 12 play with a date against Iowa State. The biggest test to date comes when they travel to Charlotte, N.C., to take on the UNC Tar Heels in their backyard. The Tar Heels might have three losses on the schedule, but it’s the Tar Heels. They’re one of the blue bloods in college basketball.
Wednesday’s game in the Jumpman Invitational provides Moser and the Sooners an opportunity to put a feather in their cap before the grind of Big 12 play begins. With the way the Sooners are playing, it’s hard to count them out of any contest. They’re simply finding ways to win with their efforts at both ends of the floor.
