Wake up, it's basketball season -- and it couldn't come at a more perfect time for Sooner Nation.
There was very little hope left in Oklahoma's football season even before Saturday, but a crushing 42-25 home loss to South Carolina has sent OU fans to dark places with no light at the end, as boos rang out throughout Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium most of the evening. Two days later, basketball season should give a reason to believe in something again.
Both OU basketball teams tip off their 2026-27 seasons on Monday. The women's team has traveled all the way to Paris, France, to play No. 12 North Carolina to start the season with a top-25 matchup. The men will be at Lloyd Noble Center on Monday night to host East Texas A&M.
Both OU basketball teams have talent for NCAA Tournament runs
Similar to the football program under Brent Venables, it's also hard not to brace for disappointment from the men's basketball program under Porter Moser, who fans thought there would be no way he would still be leading the Sooners this year.
But Moser believes this is his best squad yet heading into his sixth season as OU's head coach.
"So, yes, on paper I feel that way," Moser said when asked if this is the most talented roster he's had. "We just haven't had them all together yet. When they come all together and grow deep, that's going to be a fun, fun problem."
It takes trusting Moser's words to believe in the men's team, but Jennie Baranczyk has given proof time and time again to have hope in any squad she puts on the court. This year, the women's team returns sophomore point guard Aaliyah Chavez, who could finish the season as the best player in college basketball.
Chavez needed no introduction to college basketball last year as the No. 1 overall recruit from the 2025 class. She lived up to the hype while winning 2026 ESPN National Freshman of the Year and CBS Sports National Freshman of the Year. She averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game, while also tallying 43 steals on the defensive end.
Between Baranczyk's budding young stars and Moser stocking up on experienced veterans, both rosters are equipped to not only make the newly expanded NCAA Tournament, but also do some damage. That will make a postseason much more enjoyable for OU fans than whatever crappy bowl game the football team makes, if it even does, while still needing two more wins.
That's the good in being a college sports fan. As soon as one team lets you down, there's another to pick you right back up.
How to watch No. 21 Oklahoma vs. No. 12 North Carolina women's basketball game
When: 1:30 p.m. CT Monday
Where: Adidas Arena in Paris, France
Watch: ESPN2 (use fuboTV free trial)
How to watch Oklahoma vs. East Texas A&M men's basketball game
When: 7 p.m. CT Monday
Where: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma
Watch: SECN+
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