The Oklahoma Sooners were just left out of the NCAA Tournament once again, but there will still be players throughout March Madness that OU fans are familiar with who have a new team dancing instead of the Sooners. Former Sooners aren't just watching from the bench or contributing some either, but are real leaders for some teams and the difference in their squads being able to make serious runs in the NCAA Tournament.
Even beyond former players, as Porter Moser has gotten the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament just once in five years, former OU head coach Kelvin Sampson is looking to lead his No. 2 seed Houston back to the Final Four for the second season in a row. And his assistants include a pair of his former players from his OU days in Hollis Price and Kellen Sampson, his son.
There's also another familiar name OU fans will recognize helping Sampson's Cougars, as well as two other players helping lead a pair of SEC teams. Had the Sooners kept these three players in Norman, or even just one, they wouldn't just be in the NCAA Tournament, but would have the chance to make some noise.
Duke Miles, Vanderbilt
This time last year, Duke Miles was also playing in the NCAA Tournament, but with the Sooners as he started all 34 games in his lone season in Norman.
As most players seem to do after leaving Moser's program, though, Miles has reached another level with No. 5 seed Vanderbilt. After averaging 9.4 points a game for the Sooners, Miles is second for the Commodores with 16.5 points, plus 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.7 steals, this season.
Vandy tips off its tournament action against No. 12 McNeese at 2:15 p.m. CT Tuesday on truTV. The Commodores are entering the Big Dance hot after reaching the SEC Tournament final last week.
Otega Oweh, Kentucky
OU fans are all too familiar with Otega Oweh since he left Norman after the 2023-24 season. Although he was never at his best for the Sooners, averaging 11.4 points his final OU season, Oweh has always reached his peak against his former team. In three games against the Sooners, Oweh averaged 26.3 points with three wins and a pair of game-winning shots last season.
Otega Oweh Oklahoma Game Winners pic.twitter.com/jWtuVlMUOX
— Rare Rookies (@rarerookies) March 14, 2025
It's not just against the Sooners when Oweh looks better than he ever did in crimson and cream, though. He leads the No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats with 18.2 points and 1.8 steals in a team-high 32.4 minutes this season. The Wildcats are seeded lower than they're used to in March, but they're still a dangerous team thanks to Oweh.
Kentucky plays No. 10 Santa Clara first at 11:15 a.m. CT Friday on CBS.
Milos Uzan, Houston
Milos Uzan was named Big 12 All-Freshman his first season at OU in 2022-23, but after averaging 9.0 points while starting every game as a sophomore, he bolted for Houston, where he's also started every game the past two seasons under Sampson.
This season, Uzan is averaging 11.1 points (third on the team), 4.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals for a loaded Houston squad that has a legitimate chance at getting back to the national championship game.
Houston's impending March Madness run starts with No. 15 Idaho at 9:10 p.m. CT Thursday on truTV. The Cougars are also playing Oklahoma City, just miles away from the old home for several part of the program.