The Oklahoma Sooners aren't finished with this season yet, but junior guard Xzayvier Brown already gave OU fans a reason to look forward to the next.
The Sooners on Saturday in Las Vegas handled Baylor 82-69 to advance to the championship of the College Basketball Crown on Sunday, and Brown was the leader of the dominance as a player who should still be wearing crimson and cream this time next year.
Xzayvier Brown dominates to get Sooners to College Basketball Crown in preview of next season
Brown led all scorers Saturday with 21 points as one of four Sooners to reach double-digits in the victory. He also added six rebounds, six assists and a steal while going a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line and draining a pair of three-pointers.
Put on a show 💰 pic.twitter.com/61H94YX8TA
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) April 4, 2026
The outing upped Brown's season average to 15.5 points while starting all 36 games (so far) this season. Sunday will be Brown's 37th start as the Sooners are the only Power Four team in the country to have the same starting five all season, even through a nine-game losing streak.
The Sooners welcomed Brown last year from the Transfer Portal after two seasons at Saint Joseph's, where he was named All-Atlantic 10 First Team last season. Brown was part of a package deal with his stepdad, Justin Scott, who joined Porter Moser's staff as an assistant.
Unless Scott gets a new job somewhere else, there shouldn't be any worry that Brown hits the Transfer Portal. Brown and sophomore forward Derrion Reid are the only two OU starters with eligibility left after the season concludes on Sunday, and Brown, even with his dad on staff, might be Moser's top player to retain.
Brown could be the Sooners' veteran leader next season and also be the three-point shooter they desperately need as a career 36.8% shooter from beyond the arc with Nijel Pack graduating. Brown's second on the team with 62 three-point makes this season behind Pack's 119.
Moser was promised more resources for more talent next season. The first check should be cut to Brown to start building a team around, because he showed Saturday what next season could look like with him as the centerpiece of OU's roster.