Oklahoma returns to the historic 1928 field house, as Porter Moser’s revamped roster blends nostalgic atmosphere with high-intensity hoops to showcase a new era of Sooner basketball talent
Oklahoma men’s basketball is heading back to the old gym again, and this year’s version of the McCasland Game should feel a little bigger than the ones before it.
The Sooners will host Mississippi Valley State at historic McCasland Field House at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, marking the fourth straight season OU has scheduled a game at the old campus venue.
For years this was billed more like a student-only throwback night. That changes this time. Students and season ticket holders both get in.
The seating setup is simple enough. Students will be behind the team benches in sections 9-13 on the lower west side and in upper sections G-K. Season ticket holders will sit in sections 1-5 on the lower east side and upper sections A-E. ADA seating will be near the south baseline, with band and spirit groups on the north baseline. Upper south seating will serve as overflow for both groups. Student tickets will be general admission, with the claim process announced later. Season ticket holders can grab a reserved seat for $5 when the claim window opens in the second week of October. Those seats are limited and will go first-come, first-served.
The building still has a different feel than Lloyd Noble. McCasland is tighter, louder, and closer to the floor. It is also one of the better reminders that Oklahoma basketball did not begin with the modern arena era.
The Field House opened in 1928 and served as the program’s primary home through 1975. Oklahoma went 323-155 there, won seven conference titles, reached two Final Fours, and produced a long line of All-Americans while the place was still the center of campus basketball life. The first game there was a 45-19 win over Phog Allen’s Kansas team in front of more than 5,000 fans.
The roster Porter Moser is taking into that night should give fans a better reason to show up than nostalgia alone. Oklahoma returns a real core, led by senior guard Xzayvier Brown, a preseason All-SEC candidate coming off a season in which he averaged 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Derrion Reid is back after starting all 37 games and averaging 11.7 points and 4.4 rebounds. Dayton Forsythe gives Moser another experienced guard, and Kai Rogers adds some frontcourt size.
The portal additions are where the roster gets more interesting.
Duke Brennan brings serious experience after averaging 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds at Villanova. B.J. Edwards arrives from SMU with ACC All-Defensive Team credentials and a full statistical profile as a scorer, rebounder, passer, and steals guy. Pop Isaacs has made shots at a high volume throughout his career, while Tyler Hendricks and Khani Rooths give Oklahoma more wing size and floor spacing.
Freshmen Gage Mayfield and Quincy Wadley round out a group that mixes returners, experienced transfers, and young depth.
In other words, this should not just be a night at the museum. It is an early chance to see how Moser’s new-look roster functions in a building that has so much deep history with Oklahoma athletics. Mississippi Valley State is the kind of opponent that lets a team find early rhythm, get multiple guys minutes, and give the crowd a reason to stay loud.
Oklahoma is opening another season by remembering what the program used to feel like on campus.
This time, more fans actually get to be part of it.
