Terrible: Porter Moser was fired after the Sooners were humiliated again 82-58 by No. 21 Missouri on Wednesday night…

Terrible: Porter Moser was fired after the Sooners were humiliated again 82-58 by No. 21 Missouri on Wednesday night…

 

 

Porter Moser, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners basketball team, was fired following a brutal 82-58 loss to No. 21 Missouri on Wednesday night, leaving fans, analysts, and players shocked by the sudden decision. This defeat capped off a series of disappointing performances that had been building throughout the season, ultimately leading to a decision by the university’s athletic department that signaled the end of Moser’s tenure in Norman.

 

A Tumultuous Season

 

The game against Missouri was just another chapter in what had been a tumultuous season for Oklahoma basketball. Heading into the matchup, Moser and his team were struggling to find any consistency. The Sooners had suffered a series of tough losses, including to unranked teams, and had failed to make a significant impact in the Big 12 Conference. While early expectations had been tempered by the rebuilding phase Moser was overseeing, the mounting losses, especially those by large margins, put pressure on the coach.

 

The game against Missouri only intensified the scrutiny surrounding Moser’s leadership. From the opening tip-off, Oklahoma was outmatched on both ends of the floor. The Sooners couldn’t establish any rhythm offensively, and their defense was porous, allowing Missouri to shoot at will. By halftime, the Sooners were already trailing by double digits, and there was no sign of a comeback. The final buzzer marked yet another humiliating loss for the team.

 

Missouri’s offense was in high gear, with the Tigers hitting 53.7% of their shots and controlling the tempo throughout the game. Meanwhile, Oklahoma struggled to maintain possession, committing turnovers and missing easy shots. The Sooners’ defense, which had been a weak point throughout the season, was simply overpowered by Missouri’s talented roster. The defeat was not only a blow to Moser’s career but also left many questioning the direction of the program under his guidance.

 

The Pressure Mounts

 

Porter Moser had arrived at Oklahoma in 2021 with high hopes, following a successful stint at Loyola-Chicago, where he led the Ramblers to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2018. Many saw his arrival as the start of a new era for Oklahoma basketball, one that would restore the program to its former glory. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse.

 

In his first season at Oklahoma, Moser managed to lead the Sooners to a modest 19-16 record, with some solid moments, but ultimately, they missed out on the NCAA Tournament. In his second season, the expectations had grown, and with a more experienced team, the pressure was on for Moser to deliver. Yet, the team seemed to regress rather than improve. Key players struggled to find their form, and there was a noticeable lack of cohesion on the court. As the season wore on, it became apparent that the program was not moving in the right direction.

 

Oklahoma’s athletic director, Joe Castiglione, had publicly expressed confidence in Moser’s abilities in the early months of the season. However, the mounting losses, including a brutal defeat to Missouri, put his faith to the test. The decision to fire Moser was ultimately a reflection of the disconnect between the program’s potential and its actual performance under his leadership.

 

A Shock to the Fanbase

 

The firing of Moser came as a shock to many fans and media members who had hoped he would eventually turn the program around. While Oklahoma basketball had been in a state of flux for several years, Moser’s pedigree as a coach had earned him a great deal of goodwill. His success at Loyola-Chicago, where he turned the mid-major program into a consistent NCAA Tournament contender, had led many to believe he could do the same for Oklahoma, a Power Five program with more resources and talent to work with.

 

However, as the losses piled up and the Sooners showed little sign of improvement, that optimism began to fade. The defeat to Missouri was seen by many as the final straw. Fans had been calling for Moser’s dismissal for weeks, but the loss made it clear that the administration had lost faith in his ability to bring success to the program.

 

Despite the disappointment, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of Oklahoma basketball. While the decision to fire Moser signals the end of an era, it also marks the beginning of another rebuilding phase. The Sooners will now need to search for a new head coach who can breathe new life into the program and restore it to its former competitiveness in the Big 12.

 

What’s Next for Oklahoma?

 

With Moser’s departure, the Oklahoma Sooners now face the difficult task of finding a new head coach who can quickly turn things around. The next hire will be crucial for the future of the program, and the administration will have to carefully consider its options. The Sooners are a prestigious program with a rich basketball history, and they will likely be able to attract top-tier coaching candidates.

 

Some have speculated that Oklahoma might look for a coach with experience in rebuilding programs or someone who can bring a fresh, innovative approach to the team. Names such as Shaka Smart, the head coach at Marquette, and former NBA assistant coaches have been floated as potential candidates. There is also the possibility that Oklahoma could promote from within, hiring an assistant coach who is familiar with the program’s culture.

 

Regardless of who is chosen, the new head coach will have a challenging road ahead. Oklahoma’s roster will need significant adjustments, and the new coach will need to instill a sense of discipline, pride, and accountability that has been missing under Moser’s tenure.

 

In the end, the firing of Porter Moser was a difficult but necessary decision for the Oklahoma basketball program. It signals that the university is unwilling to accept mediocrity and is committed to returning to relevance in college basketball. The loss to Missouri was the tipping point, but the focus will now shift to the future as the Sooners look for a coach who can guide them back to prominence in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference.