The University of Oklahoma men’s basketball team is set to kick off its Southeastern Conference (SEC) play with a home opener against Mississippi, marking the beginning of the second half of their season. This Saturday’s game is particularly important as it opens the Sooners’ second SEC season, following a challenging previous year in which they finished 14th in the conference.
This year, the Sooners are eager to improve upon their performance, buoyed by a remodeled roster. Notably, only three players—sophomore guard Dayton Forsythe, senior forward/center Mohamed Wague, and sophomore forward Derrion Reid, a transfer from Alabama—bring significant league experience to the team. Despite last year’s struggles where OU entered the SEC slate with a perfect 13-0 record but finished with a disappointing 19-12 (6-12 SEC), hopes are high for a return to postseason play, with predictions placing the Sooners at 12th in the conference this season.
Senior guard Nijel Pack highlighted that the non-conference games have been instrumental in preparing the team for the upcoming SEC challenges. “We learned how to fight through adversity together… we had some early tests,” Pack noted, underscoring the value of these early matches in cultivating resilience and teamwork. The Sooners hope to translate their hard-earned lessons into successes this season.
Entering the matchup against Mississippi with a solid record of 10-3, the Sooners have been impressive offensively, averaging 87.4 points per game— the highest since the 2017-18 season. The team has demonstrated remarkable scoring capability, achieving over 90 points in six games, a feat they accomplished only 10 times in the last four seasons. Their offensive strength is largely attributed to effective perimeter shooting, with OU averaging 10.5 three-pointers per game, led by Pack who has tallied 47 so far.
Additionally, head coach Porter Moser emphasized the importance of ball security against Mississippi, a team known for creating turnovers. “I really think they’ve taken care of the ball, and that’s gonna be key against Mississippi,” he stated, praising the performance of guards Xzayvier and Nijel for their efficiency in the backcourt.
As the Sooners prepare for their SEC opener at the Lloyd Noble Center against Mississippi on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., they aim to blend their offensive prowess with disciplined ball control, setting the stage for an exciting start to league competition on the SEC Network. The upcoming game not only symbolizes a fresh start for the Sooners but also fuels their aspirations for a more successful season ahead.