Oklahoma takes overhauled roster into first season in Southeastern Conference
Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser speaks during the Southeastern Conference NCAA college basketball Media Day in Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Gary Cosby Jr., Tuscaloosa News)
Oklahoma (20-12, 8-10 Big 12)
This will be Oklahoma’s first season in the Southeastern Conference after leaving the Big 12. Coach Porter Moser’s Sooners will have to make the adjustment with an overhauled roster. They have just two starters and six letterwinners back from last year’s team that started hot, then faltered down the stretch and missed the NCAA Tournament. It’s expected to be a struggle — SEC media members have picked the Sooners to finish 15th in the 16-team league.
Players to watch
Jalon Moore (senior, F, 11.2 ppg.). The top returning scorer for the Sooners, Moore’s athletic ability makes him a threat for highlight dunks on a nightly basis. He averaged 6.7 rebounds and shot 51.7% from the field last season.
Duke Miles (6-2, G, 17.5 ppg at High Point). Miles was the top scorer at High Point last season and was the Big South Newcomer of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection. He’s a pure scorer who posted at least 20 points 11 times last season.
Brycen Goodine (sixth-year senior, G, 13.9 ppg. at Fairfield). Goodine shot 46.7% from 3-point range for a 24-win team last season. His high scoring average came despite starting just seven games. He’s also had stops at Syracuse and Providence.
Departures and arrivals
The Sooners lost eight players, including starters Javian McCollum (Georgia Tech), Otega Oweh (Kentucky) and Milos Uzan (Houston). The have made several capable additions, including Miles, Goodine and junior college guard Jeff Nwankwo. The Sooners also add freshmen Jeremiah Fears, Kuol Atak and Dayton Forsythe.
Top games
Oklahoma opens the season at home against Lindenwood on Nov. 4. They host Georgia Tech in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Dec. 3. They play former Big 12 rival Oklahoma State on Dec. 14 in Oklahoma City. Their first SEC game will be Jan. 4 at No. 2 Alabama. The Sooners host rival Texas on Jan. 15 and visit Arkansas and new coach John Calipari on Jan. 25. The Sooners host Kentucky on Feb. 26 and close the regular season at Texas on March 8.
Facts and figures
Moser has a 54-45 record in three seasons at Oklahoma. ... Josh Oppenheimer (assistant coach) and Ty Terrell (director of strength and conditioning) are new to the coaching staff. ... Nwankwo, who started his college athletic career as a receiver on Tulane’s football team, was a first-team All-American in junior college basketball last season. ... G Jadon Jones started 90 games at Long Beach State. ... F Sam Godwin, a returning starter, averaged 6.7 points and 5.2 rebounds last season.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball