Oklahoma's honeymoon phase of the nonconference schedule is definitely over.
The Sooners eased through their nonconference schedule at 13-0 and finished 2024 undefeated. But then with 2025 came a daunting SEC slate.
OU has started conference play 0-2 after that hot start that catapulted the Sooners into the top 10. The Sooners lost their SEC debut to No. 5 Alabama 107-79 in Tuscaloosa. Then on Wednesday night, OU lost another ranked matchup to No. 10 Texas A&M, 80-78.
Alabama is a phemonal team, and the Aggies are great, too, as a top-10 squad in the midst of a nine-game winning streak. But against the Aggies, the Sooners were back home at Lloyd Noble Center, and Texas A&M was without its best player and leading scorer, Wade Taylor IV.
And OU, too, is supposed to be a really good team that is supposed to be able to win games like that.
The Sooners led 39-30 at halftime after an incredible first half from Brycen Goodine, who scored 21 of his 34 points in the first 20 minutes. They led by as much as 51-33 early in the second half.
But OU gave up 24 points because of turnovers in the second half. Even without their star, the Sooners still let the Aggies have one emerge in Zhuric Phelps, who scored 34 and made the game-winner.
Phelps drained the game-winner still with 19 seconds left, but that still wasn't enough time for the Sooners to match it. The best look OU got was Duke Miles just heaving it up over Aggie defenders and even getting a foul during the process.
The Sooners head to Georgia next on Saturday. The Bulldogs will be the first unranked SEC team OU has played, but even Georgia is dangerous having just beaten No. 6 Kentucky 82-69.
From what they've seen so far in 2025 and what was experienced last season, much of Sooner Nation is again frustrated with OU coach Porter Moser and bracing for the worst the rest of the way.
In his fourth season, Moser hasn't led the Sooners into the NCAA Tournament yet despite always starting the season hot. And it seems the cycle is repeating.
I mean it’s hilarious at this point. Porter Moser in conference play lol. What else do you expect?
— Ronny Crimson (@RonnyCrimson69) January 9, 2025
Just a few minutes late https://t.co/nEQxAc94er
— Barstool Sooners (@OUBarstool) January 9, 2025
Offensive rebounds, turnovers, and scoring droughts. That's just Moser basketball baby!
— Barstool Sooners (@OUBarstool) January 9, 2025
I will simply say this.
— Parker Thune (@ParkerThune) January 9, 2025
It is Year 4, and I have yet to see Porter Moser’s team get a half-decent look on a decisive end-of-game possession.
Switching from watching Brent Venables in big games to Porter Moser in big games pic.twitter.com/6H2qRsMifb
— Brewer Sooner (@BrewerSooner) January 9, 2025
My biggest problem:
— Tyler Neal (@T_Neal) January 9, 2025
With Taylor IV out (their best player / leading scorer).. CANNOT give up a career night to their next best guy. Phelps consistently got open looks well after he got hot and found his rhythm
No sir