The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team is heading into a critical stretch of the season, but unfortunately, things aren’t looking too promising. With March approaching and postseason opportunities slipping away, the Sooners find themselves in a precarious position, needing to turn things around quickly if they hope to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament or even the NIT. Their upcoming matchup with Ole Miss could be a pivotal moment in their season, but a lot needs to change for this team to get back on track.
### Struggling Through the Season
As the 2024-2025 season progresses, the Sooners have faced significant struggles that have kept them from finding consistency. Oklahoma’s record has been erratic, and the team has faltered in both key conference games and non-conference matchups. The Big 12 Conference, one of the most competitive leagues in college basketball, hasn’t been kind to the Sooners, and they find themselves fighting for relevance in a crowded field of teams vying for tournament spots.
Under head coach Porter Moser, Oklahoma has shown flashes of potential, particularly in individual performances, but the team has yet to put it all together in a way that would mark them as a serious threat to make a deep postseason run. With a series of disappointing losses, including to some teams they were expected to beat, Oklahoma is now on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA tournament. At this point in the season, it’s no longer about hoping to be an underdog story — the Sooners need to win, and they need to win now.
### Key Injuries and Roster Struggles
One of the most significant factors contributing to Oklahoma’s struggles has been injuries. The team has been plagued by setbacks to key players, disrupting their flow and preventing them from finding a rhythm. Injuries to major contributors have left the team depleted at times, forcing Moser to rely on a rotation of younger or less experienced players. While this could be seen as an opportunity for growth, it’s also put a strain on the team’s ability to compete at a high level consistently.
The loss of depth has been evident, particularly on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Oklahoma has lacked the punch to keep up with high-powered offenses. Their scoring has been inconsistent, and without a reliable go-to player to carry the team during critical stretches, the Sooners have found themselves unable to close out tight games. On the defensive end, miscommunications and missed assignments have allowed opponents to score too easily, exacerbating the problems on offense.
As the team heads into their next matchup with Ole Miss, the absence of key players will likely continue to be a major hurdle. While some of the injured players may return as the season progresses, time is running out for the Sooners to regain the depth they’ve been missing.
### The NCAA Tournament Picture
With March approaching, the NCAA Tournament selection committee is closely watching the performance of teams that are on the bubble, and Oklahoma is firmly in that group. After falling behind in the Big 12 standings, the Sooners’ chances of earning an at-large bid to the tournament are rapidly diminishing. They are on the cusp of being left out of the big dance altogether, and their next few games, including the trip to Ole Miss, will play a significant role in determining whether they’ll be invited to the tournament or left to rely on a potential NIT bid.
The key to Oklahoma’s postseason chances lies in their ability to perform in the closing stretch of the regular season. Every game matters now, and the Sooners must put together a strong finish to impress the selection committee. While a strong showing in the Big 12 Tournament could help improve their chances, they will need to prove themselves capable of winning games on the road and securing a few quality wins in the coming weeks.
Their current position is a far cry from where they envisioned themselves earlier in the season. Oklahoma’s early losses and the lack of any signature wins have left them in a hole, and they need a late-season surge to salvage what’s left of their postseason hopes.
### Ole Miss: A Must-Win Game
As if the pressure wasn’t already mounting for the Sooners, their next game comes against Ole Miss, a team that has also struggled throughout the season but has shown moments of competitiveness. For Oklahoma, this is as close to a must-win game as it gets. A loss to Ole Miss would put them on even shakier ground, further pushing them away from the NCAA Tournament bubble and possibly even out of the NIT conversation.
Ole Miss, like Oklahoma, has endured its fair share of injuries and struggles but remains a team with talent and potential. The Rebels have the ability to cause problems for teams that don’t show up prepared, and if Oklahoma is not on their game, they could very well find themselves on the wrong end of another disappointing loss.
For the Sooners, it’s about regaining confidence and establishing some semblance of consistency. A win at Ole Miss would not only help improve their postseason resume but also give the team much-needed momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. A loss, however, would all but extinguish their hopes of any kind of postseason play, making this game an absolute must-win for a team teetering on the edge.
### What Needs to Happen for Oklahoma?
If Oklahoma is to make a push for the postseason, there are several areas where the team needs to improve. First and foremost, the Sooners need to find a way to improve their offense. Scoring has been a challenge all season, and the team has yet to consistently put up the numbers required to win games in the Big 12. With the pressure mounting, Oklahoma needs players like Jalen Hill and Tanner Groves to step up as leaders and take over games when necessary.
Additionally, defense is another critical area for improvement. The Sooners can’t afford to give up easy points in high-pressure situations, and they must do a better job of guarding the perimeter and controlling the glass. Defensive rebounds have been a sore spot all season, and if Oklahoma can’t limit second-chance opportunities for opponents, their chances of staying in games will continue to decrease.
Finally, health will be a key factor in whether Oklahoma can turn their season around. The sooner they can get some of their key players back, the better. Depth is essential for competing in the tough Big 12 and beyond, and the Sooners need all hands on deck if they hope to have any chance at a postseason run.
### Conclusion
The clock is ticking for Oklahoma basketball, and the Sooners need a near-perfect finish to their season if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive. The road trip to Ole Miss is one of the most important games of the year, and if they can’t come away with a win, their NCAA Tournament dreams will likely come to an end. The team has the talent, but they need to execute and make the most of their remaining opportunities. For the sake of their postseason chances, every game from here on out will feel like a final exam for the Sooners.
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