Oklahoma Sooners Men’s Basketball Preparing For Life After Porter Moser

This week on The Jones Report, hosts Tyler Jones, publisher of Sooners Roundtable, and Thomas Bridges, editor of OkState Roundtable, dive deep into the evolving landscapes of the Big 12 and SEC as college basketball hurtles toward March Madness. With the conference tournaments looming and selection Sunday approaching, the stakes are higher than ever for teams across both leagues.

For the Oklahoma Sooners, the outlook remains grim in terms of NCAA Tournament hopes. Despite flashes of potential earlier in the season, their chances of earning an at-large bid appear slim to none at this stage. Yet, the program is taking proactive steps to secure a brighter future.

Publisher Tyler Jones highlighted how OU is methodically preparing for life after head coach Porter Moser, whose tenure seems set to conclude at season's end. The recent hiring of new athletic director Roger Denny—and the accelerated timeline for his start—positions him to lead the search for Moser's successor, rather than leaving the critical decision in the hands of outgoing AD Joe Castiglione. This strategic move underscores a commitment to stability and forward-thinking leadership during a challenging transition period.

Adding to the optimism is the ongoing progress on a new arena project in Norman. After years of planning and delays, the facility is finally moving forward, representing a major upgrade that could transform recruiting, fan experience, and the overall program trajectory.

Jones emphasized that, even amid on-court struggles, OU's preparations stand in stark contrast to mishandled situations elsewhere. He pointed to Kansas State as a cautionary tale: their recent firing of coach Jerome Tang "for cause" amid controversy—including Tang's viral post-game comments criticizing his players—has left AD Gene Taylor in the awkward position of selecting a replacement while reportedly on his way out. The Wildcats' saga illustrates how poor timing and communication can exacerbate program instability, something OU is actively avoiding.

Shifting to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, the Cowboys face a similar tournament bubble reality. With a string of recent losses, including four in a row leading into their upcoming road matchup against Colorado this Saturday in Boulder, their NCAA path looks increasingly narrow.

However, Jones expressed genuine optimism about the program's direction under second-year head coach Steve Lutz. This season has been a learning curve in one of the nation's toughest conferences, where powerhouses like Arizona, Houston, Kansas, and Iowa State all possess legitimate Final Four potential. The Big 12's depth has forced every team to battle nightly, and the Pokes have taken their lumps while showing signs of growth.

Lutz's emphasis on building a foundation—through strong recruiting classes and roster development—suggests brighter days ahead, even if this year ends short of the Big Dance. As Jones noted, the Cowboys remain "a year away" from truly contending at the highest level, but the trajectory feels positive amid the competitive grind.

Joining the discussion is ESPN Radio's Derek Haglund, who provides a comprehensive breakdown of Big 12 developments. A key storyline involves the ongoing Darryn Peterson situation at Kansas.

The freshman sensation exploded for 23 points (20 in the first half, including 6-of-10 from three) in the Jayhawks' 81-69 road win over Oklahoma State on Wednesday. Despite his strong start, Peterson's limited second-half minutes—just three—once again raised questions about playing time and usage in Bill Self's system. Kansas bounced back impressively from a prior blowout loss, reinforcing their status as a national contender.

Overall, the episode captures the contrasting moods across these in-state rivals: cautious restructuring in Norman and measured hope in Stillwater. Whether it's navigating coaching changes, arena upgrades, or bubble battles, both programs are positioning themselves for long-term success in an ever-evolving college basketball world.

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