Can OU Basketball and Porter Moser Escape Experiencing Déjà Vu Again?

For the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team, the 2024-2025 season is poised to be one of transformation and opportunity, with the familiar figure of head coach Porter Moser leading the charge. However, as the Sooners aim to make their mark in the competitive landscape of NCAA basketball, they must avoid falling victim to the all-too-familiar sensation of déjà vu that has plagued the program in recent years. The question looms: Can OU basketball and Porter Moser escape experiencing déjà vu again?

The term “déjà vu” refers to the uncanny feeling that one has experienced a situation before, even if it’s entirely new. For Oklahoma basketball, this phenomenon seems to have manifested itself in their inability to make significant progress in terms of wins, player development, and postseason success under Moser’s leadership. After taking over the program in 2021, Moser faced high expectations following his success at Loyola-Chicago, where he turned the Ramblers into a perennial NCAA Tournament contender. However, despite his proven track record and promise, the Sooners have struggled to establish consistency and show the growth that many had anticipated.

In this article, we will explore the underlying reasons behind Oklahoma’s current predicament, assess Moser’s performance to date, and consider whether the team can finally break free of the patterns that have held them back.

The High Expectations of Porter Moser’s Arrival

When Porter Moser was hired to replace Lon Kruger in 2021, it was with the belief that his defensive-minded coaching style, ability to develop players, and tournament pedigree would help elevate the Sooners to new heights. Moser had achieved impressive success at Loyola-Chicago, leading the Ramblers to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic Final Four run in 2018. His reputation as a solid tactician and leader was well established.

For Oklahoma, the hiring of Moser was a move to reinvigorate a program that had grown stagnant under Kruger, despite regular tournament appearances. The Sooners were seen as a team with potential to become a major player in the Big 12 and on the national stage. Moser inherited a program with a rich basketball tradition, a talented roster, and significant fan support. The hope was that he could inject the team with a renewed sense of energy and, more importantly, deliver the program’s first significant NCAA Tournament success in nearly two decades.

However, the early returns under Moser’s tenure have been mixed. While there have been glimpses of the Sooners’ potential, there has also been a series of frustrating, near-miss seasons that have felt all too familiar.

The Pattern of Mediocrity

In Moser’s first two seasons at the helm, the Sooners have been plagued by inconsistency, often flirting with the edge of tournament contention only to falter in critical moments. The 2021-2022 season, for instance, saw Oklahoma finish with a respectable 19-15 record but fall short of making the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners were competitive in a tough Big 12 conference, but a lack of marquee wins and some untimely losses kept them out of the postseason.

The following season, 2022-2023, the Sooners were again on the bubble, struggling to string together enough quality wins to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma finished the regular season with a 15-17 record and, despite some promising individual performances, the team’s inconsistency persisted. Although Moser was able to bring in talented recruits and transfer portal players, these new additions did not fully translate to immediate success.

This trend of mediocrity, characterized by moments of brilliance but ultimately failing to take the next step, has created a sense of déjà vu for the Sooners. Under Moser, the team has frequently found itself in a position where it could have made a deeper tournament run or taken a significant step forward, only to fall short due to late-season collapses, a lack of offensive firepower, or simply not being able to finish games. The frustrations of these near-misses mirror the struggles the program faced under Kruger in the years leading up to Moser’s arrival.

Identifying the Root Causes of Déjà Vu

To understand why Oklahoma basketball continues to experience this sense of déjà vu, it’s essential to examine the specific challenges that have hindered the team under Moser’s leadership.

1. Offensive Struggles and Inconsistent Scoring

One of the most persistent issues facing the Sooners during Moser’s tenure has been their inability to consistently put up points on the scoreboard. While Moser is known for his defensive prowess, the offensive side of the ball has often been a point of weakness. The team has struggled to generate the kind of explosive offense necessary to compete at the highest level, particularly in the Big 12, where high-scoring games are common.

In both 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Sooners ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in scoring offense. Their inability to hit outside shots, combined with a lack of a go-to offensive star, often left them stagnant on offense. Even when the defense was playing well, Oklahoma couldn’t always capitalize on the opportunities it created. Without a reliable offensive system in place, the Sooners often found themselves in tight games that they couldn’t close out, which led to frustrating losses.

2. Player Development and Roster Construction

While Moser has had some success with player development, the team’s roster construction has often left them with gaps in key areas. After losing key players to the transfer portal, injury, or graduation, the Sooners have struggled to establish sustained chemistry. Although Moser has tapped into the transfer portal to fill immediate needs, there has yet to be a consistent core of players that can lead the team on a nightly basis.

Furthermore, Oklahoma has struggled to develop the type of high-level NBA talent that would push them into the upper echelons of college basketball. While Moser has been able to develop solid role players and gritty defenders, the lack of a standout scorer or a dominant presence in the paint has hurt the team’s chances of reaching the next level.

3. Big 12 Competition and Scheduling

The Big 12, year in and year out, is one of the most competitive conferences in NCAA basketball. With powerhouses like Kansas, Baylor, and Texas, the Sooners are often battling to stay relevant in a crowded and challenging field. Even in years when Oklahoma has shown flashes of potential, the team has often been outclassed by the elite programs in the conference. Big 12 play is grueling, and without the ability to consistently beat the top teams, Oklahoma’s chances of making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament are significantly diminished.

4. The Pressure to Succeed

Oklahoma basketball is a program with a storied history, and fans have high expectations for success. The Sooners have a rich tradition of NCAA Tournament appearances and a loyal fanbase that demands results. For Moser, this pressure to succeed has only increased as the program continues to experience near-misses without reaching its full potential. The weight of these expectations, combined with the challenges mentioned above, can create a sense of déjà vu, where the program finds itself in a cycle of mediocrity.

Breaking the Cycle: What Needs to Change?

Despite the frustrations and challenges, there are several ways that Porter Moser and the Oklahoma Sooners can break free from this cycle and avoid experiencing déjà vu once again.

1. Offensive Improvement

The most immediate area of focus for Moser and the Sooners is their offensive production. Developing a more balanced and potent offensive system that can generate points consistently will be key to Oklahoma’s success. Whether through improved shooting, better ball movement, or the development of a primary scoring threat, the Sooners must become more efficient on the offensive end of the court to complement their defensive abilities.

2. Building Consistency

For the Sooners to break free from the pattern of inconsistency, Moser will need to cultivate a more stable rotation and ensure that his players are consistently performing at a high level. Player development will be critical here, as Moser will need to maximize the potential of his roster and cultivate a winning culture that extends beyond flashes of brilliance.

3. Recruiting and Player Development

To build a team capable of competing with the best in the Big 12, Moser must continue to recruit high-level talent and ensure that his players are developed into well-rounded, versatile contributors. This means not only finding players who can score but also those who can defend, rebound, and contribute to the team’s overall success. Additionally, retaining key players and maintaining roster stability will be crucial for sustained success.

4. Embracing the Pressure

Finally, Moser must embrace the pressure that comes with coaching at a high-profile program like Oklahoma. The expectations may be high, but they are also a reflection of the program’s rich tradition and potential. By focusing on long-term success and implementing a winning culture, Moser can lift the Sooners out of the cycle of déjà vu and into a new era of competitiveness.