Oklahoma & Oklahoma State Bedlam Hoops In Oklahoma City Is Already Boring

The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will keep the Bedlam basketball rivalry going this season with a men’s and women’s doubleheader at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, December 12, 2026.

The announcement came Friday from OU in partnership with Paycom Center and OSU.

Fans can buy one ticket and watch both games in the same night. Oklahoma season ticket holders will get first shot during a presale that starts Monday, July 27th at 10 a.m. CT. General public tickets go on sale August 7th through Ticketmaster. OU students will get their info once the fall semester starts. Game times will be announced later.

Last year the Sooners swept the Bedlam doubleheader in OKC. That extended Oklahoma’s winning streak to four straight in the men’s series and seven straight on the women’s side.

It’s always fun beating your rival, especially when you get to do it twice in one night. That being said, I still wish Bedlam was a true home-and-home series instead of a neutral-site doubleheader every year.

Before OU moved to the SEC, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State didn’t play each other at Paycom Center very often. The men’s teams met there once in the 2009 Big 12 Tournament (OSU won 71-70), and the women played there in 2016 (OU won 61-43).

It just doesn’t have the same atmosphere as playing in Norman or Stillwater.

I get that scheduling a true home-and-home in the same year is tough with non-conference limits, but they could at least rotate the doubleheader between Norman and Stillwater each year.

That would give both fanbases a real home environment and make it feel more like actual Bedlam.

Paycom Center doesn't even take the Oklahoma City Thunder logos off of the floor, making it feel like the schools are invading an NBA's territory.

If it has to be neutral, why not mix in the BOK Center in Tulsa sometimes? That’s a great basketball venue and would serve fans on the other side of the state. OU is already playing Arizona State there on December 5th.

On the men’s side, Porter Moser is entering his sixth season. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 145-106. Last season the Sooners beat OSU 85-76 in OKC behind 21 points from Xzayvier Brown.

The women’s side is even more lopsided. Oklahoma's women's teams own a 70-47 advantage all-time and have won the last seven meetings. Jennie Baranczyk has never lost to the Pokes. Last year OU took care of business 92-70 with strong performances from Sahara Williams and Aaliyah Chavez.

The in-state rivalry has a long history. The men’s teams have met at least once every season since 1927-28. The women played every year from 1975 through 2024 before the series resumed last season.

These Bedlam games are always circled on the calendar. Even at a neutral site, it’s fun for fans to pack Paycom Center and cheer on the Sooners. But playing in Norman or Stillwater would make it feel more special and give the games that true rivalry atmosphere.

For now, December 12th gives Oklahoma fans in the OKC area a chance to see both teams in action. It should be a good night of basketball.