Oklahoma's Porter Moser says NIL is key to keeping Sooners at a high level
Four years into the Porter Moser regime at Oklahoma, the Sooners have made one NCAA Tournament appearance. This year yielded the first. A coach whose job security was middling entering the year likely bought himself another year or two to turn the Oklahoma basketball team into Porter Moser's OU basketball team.
Joe Mussato at "The Oklahoman" wrote that Moser saved his job and kept the athletic department brass from making a tough decision by making the Big Dance. After Friday's loss to Connecticut in the first round of the tournament, Moser was asked where he thought the program was after four years. He brought up what every coach brings up nowadays.
"To get your basketball program right, you have to win in April and May with the NIL," Moser said. "For us, retention, you've got to win in April in May in the NIL to do that."
The Sooners likely won't have to create a basketball team from scratch in the offseason, but the team's top six scorers from the season are either out of eligibility or expected to leave the program. Expected is the key word. One player who almost certainly won't be back was Oklahoma's best player on the season, and about the only player who played to his season standard against the Huskies, Jeremiah Fears.
Tough. #Sooners’ season ends with a 67-58 loss to UConn. Jeremiah Fears was sensational. He’s gonna make an NBA team really happy. I think Jalon Moore can carve out a path too.
— Mason Young (@Mason_Young_0) March 22, 2025
Fears is a potential lottery pick if he decides to enter this year's NBA Draft. At worst, scouting services have him as a first-rounder. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his first year of college basketball. And he did so after re-classifying to be a part of the Class of 2024. Age-wise, he should have been finishing his senior year of high school.
Moser thinks the Sooners are on the right track, especially if they can continue to land players like Fears.
"All four years, we've been in the No. 1 basketball conference," Moser said. "I thought to be able to compete, the guys' (resilience) in this league, I'm so proud of how these guys fought through hard and (got) to where we're at and I'm excited for the future."
Asked #OU HC Porter Moser:
— Bob Przybylo (@BPrzybylo) March 22, 2025
Four seasons in, are you happy with the program’s direction? pic.twitter.com/RuKjmedGGz
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma basketball coach Porter Moser talks future of Sooners program
Topics
-
Oklahoma Sooners make NCAA Tournament for first time under Porter Moser
The Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team has made the NCAA Tournament for the first time under fourth-year head coach Porter Moser.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Why Porter Moser's Sooners are poised to make a run in the NCAA Tournament
With 1:26 remaining on the clock, it the Sooners trailed Kentucky 80-70. Jeremiah Fears and Oklahoma had other plans. Fears completed an insanely impressive one-minute stretch featuring two made ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16 -
Report Card: Oklahoma falls short, losing 67-59 to UConn
In their first NCAA Tournament game since 2021 and their first under Porter Moser, the Sooners took on the two-time defending national champion UConn Huskies. The first half was a brutal one for ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
OU basketball falls short in NCAA Tournament, where do Porter Moser, Sooners go from here?
Despite a staunch defensive effort, the Sooners shot 32.1% from the field, ending their season to UConn 67-59 in the first round of March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Tip time, date for Oklahoma Sooners Sweet 16 matchup with UConn
When do the Oklahoma Sooners play the UConn Huskies in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women's Tournament?Yahoo Sports - 6h -
UConn vs Oklahoma schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game
What time is the UConn vs Oklahoma NCAA Tournament game? How to watch Huskies vs Sooners March Madness game on Friday, March 21 on TV.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17 -
Social media reacts to Oklahoma Sooners win over Iowa Hawkeyes in NCAA Tournament
The Oklahoma Sooners pulled off a dominant victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes and here is how social media reacted to OU's performance.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
UConn vs. Oklahoma odds, time, March Madness predictions: 2025 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model
The SportsLine Projection Model has revealed its Oklahoma Sooners vs. Connecticut Huskies picks for the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on FridayCBS Sports - 3d -
Oklahoma Sooners beat Arkansas Razorbacks 6-4
Oklahoma Sooners swept Saturday doubleheader against Arkansas with 6-4 win.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
More from Yahoo Sports
-
S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena
South Africa beat Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to lead an African 2026 World Cup qualifying group by five points, but the advantage could be reduced for fielding an ineligible player last week.- Nigeria ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'
During a radio appearance on Wednesday, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey spoke highly about USC's JuJu Watkins after her season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
The Astros brought Cam Smith’s family into the clubhouse to surprise him about making the big-league roster
A moment that Cam Smith will never forget.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Bills have big plans for Dalton Kincaid after injury-filled second season
Brandon Beane was quick to pump the brakes. It was April 27, 2023 and Beane just traded up two spots to select tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the draft. Not only that, but the ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Top 50 people who will impact the 2025 MLB season: Nos. 50-26
From Chandler Simpson to Mike Trout to Fernando Tatis Jr., these are the names to know as the regular season begins.Yahoo Sports - 28m
More in Sports
-
Women's Sweet 16 rankings: UConn is No. 1, USC holds tight at No. 4
The Sweet 16 is set, and there's a new No. 1. But all eyes are on USC and injured JuJu Watkins.ESPN - 23m -
Picks, predictions, key players for every women's Sweet 16 game
Why might every Sweet 16 team win its regional semifinal matchup in Birmingham and Spokane? We predict the winners.ESPN - 23m -
Cal Raleigh contract extension: Mariners locking up star catcher on six-year, $105 million deal, per reports
The deal will buy out Raleigh's first three years of free agencyCBS Sports - 24m -
S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena
South Africa beat Benin 2-0 on Tuesday to lead an African 2026 World Cup qualifying group by five points, but the advantage could be reduced for fielding an ineligible player last week.- Nigeria ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'
During a radio appearance on Wednesday, LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey spoke highly about USC's JuJu Watkins after her season-ending injury.Yahoo Sports - 24m