The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball program faces mounting challenges as they prepare for today’s critical SEC matchup against Mississippi State at Lloyd Noble Center. Fresh off five consecutive conference losses, Porter Moser’s squad battles both on-court struggles and alarming fan disengagement in Norman.
Attendance Crisis Deepens
Despite playing in a state passionate about basketball – evidenced by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s top-16 NBA attendance – Sooners games average just 6,675 fans this season. This marks OU’s lowest turnout since Blake Griffin’s 2008-09 Final Four campaign, despite featuring potential NBA lottery pick Jeremiah Fears on the roster. Even last month’s Bedlam rivalry game against Oklahoma State drew only 10,300 fans to the 11,562-seat arena.
Season Collapse
After starting 14-5 overall (4-2 SEC), Oklahoma has dropped five straight conference games heading into today’s 1 PM ET tipoff. Analysts point to rebounding deficiencies (-78 rebound differential) and turnover issues (17+ giveaways in four SEC games) as key factors in the collapse. Mississippi State enters as 3.5-point favorites, leveraging their top-50 offensive rebounding and aggressive defense that forces 13% steal rates.
Coaching Uncertainty
Fourth-year head coach Porter Moser faces increasing scrutiny amid the skid. While his contract runs through 2028, recent reports suggest athletic director Joe Castiglione may reevaluate the program’s trajectory after three consecutive losing SEC campaigns. Moser’s .500 conference record (15-15) since joining the SEC contrasts sharply with predecessor Lon Kruger’s Final Four appearance in 2016.
Key Matchup Factors
- Shot Volume Battle: Mississippi State averages 13 second-chance points per game against OU’s second-worst SEC rebounding
- Defensive Mismatch: Bulldogs rank second in SEC steals vs Sooners’ bottom-tier perimeter defense
- Star Watch: OU freshman guard Jeremiah Fears (14.8 PPG) faces MSU’s Josh Hubbard (19.1 PPG)
The Sooners’ remaining schedule offers little respite with road games at No. 2 Florida (85-63 winners over OU last week) and No. 12 Kentucky looming. Today’s outcome could determine whether Oklahoma avoids its first winless February since 1969.
