OU Basketball: Oklahoma’s Long-Awaited Selection Sunday Moment
Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament bid under Porter Moser finally came through after a long wait, with the Sooners making their first appearance in the tournament under his leadership.
As the Selection Show progressed, OU fans at Lloyd Noble Center anxiously watched, and with each region revealed, the tension grew. By the time the final bracket was unveiled, it was confirmed: Oklahoma was in. This marks Moser’s first NCAA Tournament appearance with the Sooners.
Each SEC team announced during the reveal, starting with Texas and Georgia, brought smiles and relief to the Oklahoma staff. The constant worry from previous years, when OU was close but ultimately left out, made this moment especially sweet.
When the Sooners’ name was finally called as a 9-seed matched up against defending champions UConn, Moser jumped from his seat, applauding and embracing his son and seniors Jalon Moore and Sam Godwin. Moser reflected on the tension, saying, “Jalon’s leg was bouncing… It was a cruel joke, but we were happy to finally get the call.”
For Moser, this trip to the NCAA Tournament was a year in the making. A year ago, he thought his team had done enough to qualify, only to fall short after conference tournament disappointments. This year, despite setbacks, including losing key players to the transfer portal and a tough 0-4 stretch after a promising start, the team showed resilience to make it back to the big stage.
Moore shared his relief and joy, saying it was a special moment for the team. The players celebrated with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for guard Kobe Elvis before breaking into an enthusiastic huddle.
Moser, who previously guided Loyola-Chicago to the Final Four and Sweet 16, knows the quick turnaround needed to prepare for UConn. “We’ve got a week to prepare for them, and they’ve got a week to prepare for us,” Moser said, emphasizing that the preparation would be strategic and calculated.
But for now, Moser takes pride in the perseverance his team showed. “These players and coaches never stopped believing in each other,” he said. “This will be something they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives, knowing that despite the challenges, they kept pushing forward. Now, we’re not done. This is just part of our journey—let’s go compete.”
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