There was a time Saturday during the Oklahoma Sooners' game against the Tennessee Volunteers that the ESPN broadcast duo was afraid fans could hear them announce because Lloyd Noble Center was so quiet.
In Sooner Nation's defense, there was never anything worth cheering for in the Sooners' 70-52 loss to No. 4 Tennessee. If any noise was made it would have been boos, but the silence was probably loud enough.
The Volunteers led 45-25 by halftime. It was the most points Tennessee scored in a half this season. The Sooners eventually put together a 7-0 run in the final minute to dwindle the margin a bit, but Lloyd Noble Center was pretty empty by that point.
(This is how the morning started)
Solid turnout at the LNC this morning as Oklahoma hosts No. 4 Tennessee
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) February 8, 2025
Big one pic.twitter.com/SUwQ577Vd7
Fans will be ridiculed, especially by other fan bases, for leaving early and being so mute with a top-5 team in town. Home-court advantage is certainly real and can make a difference in college basketball, but do you know who has the best home advantage? Good basketball teams.
Atmospheres reflect the product on the court. Great basketball programs have spectacular home-court advantages because those teams gave their fans something to get excited about.
A home crowd can only be blamed so much.
Sooner Nation has taken fault before for a lackluster environment at Lloyd Noble Center. Fans have called each other out to get in those seats and be supportive no matter what.
But that's not a fan's job. In fact, fans are spending their own time and money to attend games. Those who are actually paid to be there should be responsible in creating a good product to sell tickets.
After a third loss in four games and OU's SEC record dropping to 3-7, Sooner Nation on Saturday was begging for a better product on the court at Lloyd Noble Center.
OU basketball is not the only team that struggles putting fans in the seats.
— ⭕️U - Woerzy (@woerzyfbaby) February 8, 2025
It’s simple- if the product is better, the seats will be full.
That’s not fair weather, that’s just reality for any program at any level.
It’s hard to watch.
And people ask why OU doesn’t get the fan support for basketball. It’s time to take a real hard look at the program and get it fixed
— Braxdan Turner (@FBCoachBT12) February 8, 2025
We have reached sad and depressing levels at the LNC
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) February 8, 2025
Having the announcers openly mocking the silence of your crowd is probably not a great sign for Porter Moser...
— Russell Smith (@Russell___Smith) February 8, 2025
OU Basketball is in a disgusting place right now.
— Connor Pasby (@ConnorPasby) February 8, 2025
And that is a big problem. College Basketball is a big deal
The OU hoops situation is exhausting. Good teams here & there, but generally a mediocre program with a dump of an arena & uphill attendance battle. That’s just the way it is and has been. Don’t know what, but something will have to give at some point for any of that to change.
— Christopher Oven (@Chris_Oven) February 8, 2025
Porter Moser has ruined Oklahoma basketball for me. Never in my life have I just refused to even watch games. I understand the schedules are tough but it’s just getting so old. #Sooners
— Derek House (@deeebzy) February 8, 2025
Oklahoma fans are elite
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) February 8, 2025
Support definitely not the issue for the Sooners football and basketball programs https://t.co/l4koFoPATX