Should Sooners fans hope for an upset loss? The Jones Report dissect if a disappointing season actually aids Oklahoma's coaching reset
This week on The Jones Report, hosts Tyler Jones, publisher of Sooners Roundtable, and Thomas Bridges, editor of OkState Roundtable, dive deep into the latest developments shaping college basketball in the SEC and Big 12 conferences. With the regular season winding down and conference tournaments on the horizon, both programs are at critical crossroads, facing tough decisions about their futures and slim postseason hopes.
The Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team has shown signs of life recently, stringing together a three-game winning streak with impressive victories over Auburn, LSU, and Missouri. Sitting at 16-14 overall (around 6-11 in SEC play based on recent updates), the Sooners are clinging to the fringes of the NCAA Tournament conversation. A pivotal road matchup against Texas this weekend could dramatically shift their trajectory—if they pull off the upset, it might thrust them back onto the bubble heading into the SEC Tournament next week in Nashville.
While momentum is building, the path remains precarious. Jones emphasizes that even with recent wins, an at-large bid feels like a long shot. He predicts a likely loss to the Longhorns on Saturday, which would effectively extinguish any realistic hopes for March Madness.
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The Sooners' resume lacks the consistent quality wins needed, and their earlier struggles—including a prolonged skid—have left them playing catch-up in the eyes of the selection committee.
The discussion turns candid about the program's direction. Bridges poses a direct question to Sooners fans: Is it time to end this season's misery and move on from head coach Porter Moser? Both hosts agree—yes, it's time to turn the page and reset the program. Moser's tenure in Norman has been underwhelming, with just one NCAA Tournament appearance in five seasons and zero wins in the Big Dance.
Even if the Sooners somehow sneak into the field—perhaps via a strong SEC Tournament run—the consensus is clear: it wouldn't be enough to secure his job. A First Four appearance or even a single First Round win might not suffice; the program needs more sustained success to justify continuity.
Shifting to Stillwater, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are dealing with their own adversity. They're set to face a daunting challenge this weekend against No. 7 Houston, and the task just got much harder with the season-ending injury to star center Parsa Fallah. The senior suffered a torn ACL in late February during a win over West Virginia, robbing the Cowboys of their emotional and statistical leader (averaging around 14-15 points and solid rebounding).
At 18-12 overall (with a sub-.500 Big 12 record), OSU sits outside the typical tournament cutline.
Jones notes that a monumental upset over the Cougars could crack open the door to bubble discussions ahead of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Cowboys currently rank around No. 68 in KenPom metrics, with a NET rating in the positive double digits, positioning them as a fringe contender. To realistically earn an at-large bid, they'd likely need that Houston win plus a deep run in Kansas City—starting with a tough opening matchup as the projected No. 13 seed against Arizona State (who handed OSU a loss earlier this month, 85-76). Without Fallah, the offense and interior presence take a major hit, making any postseason push an uphill battle.
Adding a special guest perspective this week is Hartzell Gray, Missouri congressional candidate and former longtime Kansas City radio host. Gray has deep ties to the Big 12 scene, having hosted festivities at the conference tournament for years.
He shares insights on what fans can expect as Kansas City prepares to welcome the 16-team Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center in the vibrant Power & Light District from March 10-14. Gray highlights the electric atmosphere, the city's tradition of hosting high-stakes hoops, and how the event energizes the community—offering a fun preview for what promises to be an intense week of bracket-busting action.
This episode of The Jones Report delivers unfiltered analysis, honest takes on coaching futures, and tournament anticipation. Catch all the latest on the Sooners and Cowboys now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and major platforms everywhere.
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