Tag: Porter Moser

Takeaways from Oklahoma’s win over Northwestern State

Oklahoma got off to a sluggish start in the first half but turned it around after the break to beat Northwestern State 73-57.

The Oklahoma Sooners moved to 2-0 on the season with a 73-67 win over Northwestern State. It didn’t go as easy as expected as the Sooners trailed by six at halftime.

Northwestern State’s length gave them trouble in the paint but ultimately the Sooners talent came through down the stretch. It was a two-point game at 46-44 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the contest. From that point on, OU outscored the Demons 27 to 13 to close the game and earn the decisive victory.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the game.

1. Jalon Moore season

Oklahoma Sooners Jalon Moore had a fantastic game. He was 7 of 14 from the field, 2 of 5 from three and hit 7 of 8 free throws while pulling down seven rebounds and recording a pair of assists. 19 of his 23 points came in the second half of the game after the Sooners trailed Northwestern State.

After shooting just 2 of 7 from the field in the first half, Moore turned it around and took over the ball game to lead the Sooners in scoring.

Moore has a chance to become a household name this season and is showing an expanded element to his game with his expanded range from three. Moore was 2 of 5 from three, with both makes coming after halftime.

If Moore can play like he did in the second half for a full 40 minutes, the Sooners will be hard to beat this year.

2. Start the True Freshman

Through two games in 2024-2025, Jeremiah Fears has played in a reserve role for the Sooners. But through two games, it’s clear he’s got a lot of talent.

He led the Sooners in +/- with a plus-22 and finished second on the evening in scoring with 15.

Though he had six turnovers in the game, he’s showing off his ability to be a playmaker for the Sooners offense. He was on the floor a lot in the final ten minutes, showing Moser’s trust in the true freshman point guard.

3. Second Half Turnaround

The Sooners went into halftime trailing Northwestern State by six. They proceeded to outscore their opponent by 22 points in the second half. Whatever Moser and his assistants said at halftime got the team going and they ran away with the win.

You never want to shoot under 40% for a half like they did in the first, but Oklahoma came back in the second half and shot far better at 53% in the second. They also made four more trips to the free throw line after halftime.

The Oklahoma Sooners can’t afford to have sluggish starts like they did Monday night. They’ll face much better teams down the road, and getting off to a slow start like that could bury them before halftime.

Still, the Sooners are 2-0 on the season with a pair of double-digit wins. They’ll face Stetson on Saturday at the Lloyd Noble Center. Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT.

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Oklahoma Sooners roll Lindenwood in season opener 93-60

Takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners 36-point win over Lindenwood in the 2024-2025 season opener.

Basketball season is officially underway in Norman as Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners started their first season as SEC members with a dominant 93-60 win over Lindenwood.

Oklahoma has been searching for that elusive return to the NCAA tournament, and while they narrowly missed it last year, the Sooners have almost a completely new look.

The Sooners hit the transfer portal and recruiting trail hard for the second straight year and revamped their roster. Monday night, we saw the fruits of the coaching staff’s recruiting efforts.

Oklahoma never trailed in this game and finished with five different players tallying double-digit points. As a team, the Sooners shot over 40 percent from three and just a tick under 65 percent from the field.

Jalon Moore, the team’s best returning player from last year, was dynamic and led all scorers with 22 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the field.

Here are our takeaways from the Sooners win.

Jalon Moore is the guy

For all the talk about Oklahoma and their prospects as a team this year, one thing repeatedly is mentioned: Jalon Moore needs to be a big part of whatever the Sooners plan to do. After Monday night’s performance, it’s hard to disagree.

Moore entered his name into the NBA Draft this past summer to get feedback, and on Monday, he showcased the work he put into his game. What stood out the most was his shooting. Moore went 3 of 5 from long range.

Sure, the opponent wasn’t the best but he shot every jumper with much more confidence than he did a season ago.

It’ll be fun to see how much his offseason work is displayed in the nonconference schedule.

Jeremiah Fears is the real deal

It wouldn’t be right to talk about OU basketball and not mention the play of Oklahoma’s highest-rated recruit since Trae Young. Jeremiah Fears, a true combo guard, is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands. His upside is tremendous, and at Oklahoma, he should have the floor to play his game.

On Monday, he showcased a few of the traits that make him a potential pro. His quickness showed in the half court and in transition. His vision led him to six assists, with his first coming on a beautiful set play that led to an alley-oop to Jalon Moore.

Fears made the game easier for his teammates with his ability to score (16 points), but also by finding guys in their spots and making crisp passes and the right decisions.

If he continues playing like this, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be starting by January at this rate.

Oklahoma’s transfers looked solid

The bulk of Oklahoma’s scoring had to be replaced via the transfer portal, so the Sooners went out and added names like Duke Miles, Brycen Goodine, Mohamed Wague, and Kobe Elvis.

On Monday they combined for 36 points and 12 assists to just 2 turnovers. The early returns on the new veterans were extremely positive.

Oklahoma starts the season 1-0 and will be back in action next Monday night at the Lloyd Noble Center when they take on Northwestern State.

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Big 12 was a grind but SEC Men’s Basketball is deep

Oklahoma Men’s Basketball team faces stiff challenge in deep SEC.

Oklahoma Men’s Basketball will open the season on Nov. 4. With less than two weeks to the start of the 2024-2025 men’s basketball season, the USA TODAY Sports Preseason Men’s Coaches Poll was released on Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Sooners weren’t ranked after missing the tournament for the third time in three seasons under Porter Moser. One would think after leaving the Big 12 that they’d get a reprieve from the tough schedules they’ve had to endure. But that won’t be the case in the SEC.

In the preseason Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, nine SEC teams were featured compared to just five in the Big 12.

College Sports Wire’s Andy Patton discussed that depth in and several more takeaways in reaction to the release of the preseason Coaches Poll.

The conference is now arguably the deepest and most talented in the entire sport, and could conceivably get as many as ten teams in the NCAA Tournament, with other programs like South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State (who received 2 votes) in the mix as well. – Patton, College Sports Wire

The Sooners have an upward climb on their hands and Moser and his staff are hoping this year’s collection of portal additions and incoming freshmen can help Jalon Moore push this team into the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2020-2021 season.

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Sooners absent from preseason AP Top 25, nine SEC teams featured

Oklahoma Sooners absent from preseason men’s basketball AP Top 25 poll.

Much of the dialogue surrounding Oklahoma and Texas’ move to the SEC centered on each school’s football program and the benefits it would receive. Oklahoma boasts a deep and well-rounded athletic program that would fit in with any conference landscape. OU men’s basketball will also get a bump as it enters the SEC.

Oklahoma’s move to the nation’s premiere basketball conference is set to begin in less than a month. The excitement for the season will soon reach a fever pitch.

On Monday, the preseason AP Top 25 debuted, and unsurprisingly, Porter Moser’s squad was left off.

The Sooners bring back a few players from last year’s team that just missed the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners retooled via the portal in a big way but still have a lot to prove on the hardwood.

Their new conference mates make up 36 percent of the top 25 as nine SEC teams made the poll.

The Sooners will take on eight of those nine schools at some point in their first year in the SEC. The only one they won’t play is the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Oklahoma Sooners will have an incredible challenge ahead of them as they attempt to brave the grind of the SEC schedule. Porter Moser is looking for his first trip to the NCAA tournament since arriving in 2021.

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Oklahoma favored to land consensus four-star center Kai Rogers

Oklahoma Sooners favored to land four-star center Kai Rogers.

Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners had one heck of a summer. The Sooners landed not one but two recruits.

Ultra-talented wing playmaker Alec Blair was the first to come aboard; the top 50 prospect pledged to the Sooners in July. Hailing from Denmark with a skill set that closely resembles many modern big men, Andreas Holst committed in mid-September.

As the calendar turns to October, recruiting for the class of 2025 is heating up. Senior seasons are approaching and the early signing period is right around the corner.

Oklahoma is not done for 2025. That was made abundantly clear on Sunday when national recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw of On3 dropped a prediction favoring the Sooners to land 6-foot-10 big man Kai Rogers.

Rogers is a bit of a throwback player in today’s modern basketball world: He wins and dominates from the post. He’s not a stretch four or a stretch five but a true center who scores frequently with his back to the basket, using soft hands and hooks to score over defenders. He’s also unafraid of turning and facing defenses to attack them off the dribble. He can afford to continue to get stronger and play with more intensity more consistently. He has a high ceiling that can be reached with more experience and finding a collegiate team with which he can grow.

Oklahoma hosted Rogers and his family on an official visit over the summer, and the Sooners have made him a priority since. The only competition Oklahoma has to worry about is former Big 12 foe Iowa State. The Cyclones have a history of landing basketball talent from Wisconsin.

Oklahoma nor Iowa State will not have to wait much longer as the consensus four-star recruit plans to announce his decision on Nov. 6. As it stands, the Sooners are gaining momentum. Landing Rogers would vault the Sooners from the No. 44 recruiting class in the country into the top 20 at No. 16.

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OU Men’s Basketball included in top 9 for four-star forward

The Oklahoma Sooners were included in the top 9 schools for 2025 small forward out of Oregon.

The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team have had a strong offseason on the recruiting trail. In addition to their transfer portal additions, [autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag] has picked up commitments from 2025 top-100 small forward [autotag]Alec Blair[/autotag] and 2024 top-100 point guard [autotag]Jeremiah Fears[/autotag]. The Sooners are in pursuit of another top-100 prospect, this time 2025 four-star small forward [autotag]Winters Grady[/autotag].

Grady is the No. 66 player in the On3 Industry Ranking and the No. 15 small forward in the 2025 recruiting class. The Lake Oswego, Oregon native included the Oklahoma Sooners in his top nine along with Oregon, New Mexico, Michigan, Arizona State, Colorado, Creighton, Iowa and USC.

“I really like Coach (Porter) Moser. My dad and I both really like him,” Winters told On3’s Joe Tipton. “He’s a basketball mind. We sat on our last Zoom call for about 30 minutes after it ended just talking basketball. That was a great thing to see because I’m a basketball junkie too. I just love watching it and playing it, it’s kind of my whole life. So seeing someone else like that, knowing they are as invested as I am and do things like I do, is good to see.

“Coach Moser sees me as a three-level scorer and that my game is really translatable to college and beyond. He thinks I fit well in their freestyle type of system.”

The Oklahoma Sooners are still looking for their first tournament berth in the Porter Moser era, but he’s proven to be successful at previous stops. As he continues to build the roster, adding top-100 players like Grady will give him a better shot to take Oklahoma deep into the NCAA tournament.

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Oklahoma basketball earns commitment from 2025 four-star wing Alec Blair

Oklahoma lands elite dual-sport athlete in Alec Blair.

[autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag] has had an incredibly fun end of July. On Tuesday evening, Moser’s July grew a bit brighter as the Sooners landed a commitment from four-star wing Alec Blair.

The top-50 junior is one of the best dual-sport athletes in the country. Alec plays at De La Salle High in Concord, California. He is a bit of a rarity as he is a top-notch baseball player and a star on the basketball court.

He’s an intriguing prospect on the court who uses his length and advanced knowledge of the game to attack defenses and create opportunities for others. It would not be shocking to see him play point forward or point guard in college. He’s that much of a talented facilitator.

He chose Oklahoma over offers to play at California, Clemson, Notre Dame and USC.

The Sooners offered him back in September 2023, and his relationships with Clayton Custer and head coach Porter Moser, along with his chats with the OU baseball team, led him to Norman.

He is a rangy outfield prospect with power to all fields on the diamond. As he continues to get stronger and matures physically, his upside as a lefty power bat should skyrocket. The MLB is always looking for lefty power, so it’s easy to see why he’s becoming a coveted prospect.

In January, Blair Blair spoke with Brandon Jenkins of 247Sports (subscription required) about his future as a two-sport athlete. “I have not made a decision in terms of if I want to play both sports or if I just want to play baseball,” Blair said. “I love basketball. Playing both sports would be a cool opportunity because it is very unique when discussing the sports I am playing.”

By landing Blair, Oklahoma has the No. 19 recruiting class for 2025. Blair is the No. 10 prospect in the 247Sports composite and the 38th-ranked overall prospect according to 247Sports 2025 basketball rankings. He is the No. 4 prospect in the state of California prospect.

It seems things are going to work out either way for Oklahoma athletics. The Sooners landed one of the nation’s best athletes, who will play basketball, baseball, or both in Norman, Oklahoma.

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Sooners add St. John’s transfer Glenn Taylor Jr

Oklahoma adds rising senior wing Glenn Taylor from St. Johns.

Oklahoma has been an active participant in the NCAA [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] this spring and summer. As the days inch closer to the start of the 2024-2025 season, the Sooners are still adding to its roster.

Over the weekend, news surfaced from the Oklahoma basketball program that JUCO transfer add [autotag]Jeff Nwankwo[/autotag] suffered a torn Achilles’ during summer workouts and has already undergone surgery. He’ll unfortunately miss all of the upcoming season.

In order to replace the athletic Nwankwo, the Sooners added added St. John’s forward Glenn Taylor Jr. on Monday. Taylor is a 6-foot-6 rising senior originally from Las Vegas. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game this season for the Red Storm. Taylor began his career at Oregon State, playing his first two seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

 

Taylor’s calling card is on defense, where he can guard multiple positions along the perimeter. He is also a more than capable three-point shooter. He shot 45 percent from the field, including 42 percent from the three-point line.

He fits the perfect mold of a three-and-D wing. He has excellent athleticism and slashes to the basket, shooting 46% at the rim last season. His 10% assist rate last year is an understated aspect of his game. He routinely made the extra pass and was a seamless fit in any offense without being a primary ballhandler or play initiator.

Taylor is the seventh transfer portal addition overall for the Sooners this offseason. Oklahoma’s roster is officially complete for 2024-2025, and the Sooners are ready to rock and roll in their inaugural season in the SEC.

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Oklahoma lands commitment from point guard Jeremiah Fears

Porter Moser landed four-star point guard Jeremiah Fears, who will join the 2024-2025 Sooners.

After missing the [autotag]NCAA Tournament[/autotag] each of the past three years, the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team will be under a great deal of pressure when the 2024-2025 season rolls around. Head coach [autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag] knows this after failing to make the tourney in each of his first three seasons at OU. He’s trying to ensure that his team has enough talent to take a step forward into the postseason next year.

Moser and the Sooners got a big boost in the form of high school recruiting on Saturday, as they landed four-star point guard [autotag]Jeremiah Fears[/autotag] out of Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona.

Fears is the second-highest-rated recruit that Oklahoma has added in the modern era. In-state prospect [autotag]Trae Young[/autotag] is the only higher-ranked player to commit to the Sooners.

Fears decommitted from Illinois on July 1, opening the door for the OU staff to swoop in a make their big move. Fears took to social media to announce that he’ll be coming to Norman.

In addition, the four-star will be reclassifying to the 2024 class, meaning he’ll join the team this upcoming season.

The pledge of Fears is a big get for Porter Moser, whose seat is a bit warm heading into this winter. He’s the highest-rated recruit Moser has signed since coming to Norman, and he gives the team a scorer at the lead guard spot. While the Trae Young comparisons are probably a bit too lofty, it can’t be understated that Saturday’s commitment was huge for the program, and for its head coach.

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Oklahoma Sooners the latest to offer 2025 PG Jaylen Petty

Oklahoma offers electric 2025 point guard Jaylen Petty.

Oklahoma’s 2025 basketball recruiting class is off to a slow start. The Sooners don’t have a commitment for the cycle. Still, the summer is a massive evaluation period for hopeful college hoopers. One name has been having a terrific summer and is certainly seeing a rise in attention from colleges nationwide.

2025 point guard Jaylen Petty posted on his social media accounts that he received an offer from the Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday afternoon.

Petty hails from Washington, a hoops hotbed, producing a lot of talent in the last decade.

Petty stands six feet tall and is a shifty, fearless point guard who is ultra-dynamic in attacking defenses, no matter how they try to defend him.

He is a capable shooter in both the spot-up and off-the-bounce variety.

Pepperdine, UNLV, and Portland have also offered him this summer. 247Sports has him ranked as the second-ranked prospect in Washington and listed him as a three-star on their company-specific player rankings.

Petty plays for a loaded Rainier Beach AAU team, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see a rise in recruiting rankings as he approaches his senior year of high school.

Oklahoma has now offered three point guards for the 2025 class alongside Petty, with four-star Kingston Flemings and Keyshaun Tillery being one and the other.

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