Editor's note: This article was updated on Oct. 25 at 9:22 a.m. to reflect the proper spelling of Javian McCollum's name.
Porter Moser admits nothing builds relationships like time.
For OU’s head coach, he had four months to build chemistry with a 15-man roster that was mostly constructed as the transfer portal was closing. While the players Moser earned commitments from were unfamiliar to Norman, it’s a group seasoned with years of experience.
According to Moser, this has given the Sooners’ roster a sense of depth and a competitive nature not evident in his first two seasons, which he used as a selling point for Oklahoma fans ahead of his third season.
“What’s different,” Moser posed 13 days before OU’s season opener. “I think we’re noticeably playing faster, we’re longer, we're more athletic and I think we’re deeper. I think you can go into the bench and have some guys who have played a lot of college basketball before.”
Eight Sooners have played more than two seasons at the collegiate level and have had time to develop the fundamental foundation Moser has attempted to instill in his team over the last two seasons.
For example, redshirt senior guard Le’Tre Darthard, who was chosen by his teammates to be one of the captains for 2023-24 season, brings a level of knowledge and leadership Moser has searched for.
Entering his fifth collegiate basketball season after spending time at McCook Community College and Utah Valley, Darthard is expected to make a defensive impact and help guide a squad which struggled in close games last season.
“He is older, and he’s been through a lot of games,” Moser said. “He is not afraid of the moment. You look at some of the games where he has played high-level teams. It doesn’t faze him.”
Despite an emphasis on experience, returning sophomore guard Milos Uzan is expected to lead the team this season. Uzan, who is one of the few players who is familiar with Moser’s fast paced offense, has been able to find a concrete position in the lineup.
“He came in and earned a spot after seven or eight games, and then I thought he flourished,” Moser said. “I thought he just grew and grew and grew in the offseason … He is unequivocally our leader as a sophomore, and he has handled it great.”
Uzan is young, and this season will test his ability to not only control the offense but lead the team in the locker room. However, the most growth will come from the investment and trust of the players who have yet to play a season in an OU jersey.
“Now we have so many new guys, and there is a race to maturity from your team and newcomers,” Moser said. “Not only emotionally, but have their game mature with what you're doing, to get them on the page with your system, your culture and your relationships with them.”
Freshman guard Otega Oweh during the game against TCU on Mar. 4
More athletic, longer and faster
Many of the struggles of last year's team have been accredited to a lack of athleticism and speed. This season, Moser emphasized how that has changed.
Returning players such as Uzan, fellow sophomore Otega Oweh and senior Sam Godwin have already bought into Oklahoma’s style of play, but in the offseason, it was evident Moser searched the transfer portal for a specific type of player.
He wanted a team composed of players who could break down Big 12 defenses and generate offense quickly. Moser believes he’s found some.
“I think this team is a likable, high-energy team,” Moser said. “I think we are going to be able to create some offense with our defense. Anytime you are longer and faster you can create a more havoc defense and create a more fast-paced offense.”
Other transfers like redshirt junior John Hugley IV (Pittsburgh) and juniors Javian McCollum (Siena) and Jalon Moore (Georgia Tech) have adopted Moser’s basketball ideologies and expect a different outcome than the Sooners received last season.
“It’s going to be fun,” Moore said. “It is going to be a fast playing team because we have a lot more athletes now. You should see a lot of dunks, a lot of threes and a lot of wins.”
Freshman guard Milos Uzan during the game against TCU on Mar. 4
Jacolb Cole cleared
Freshman Jacolb Cole started the offseason strong, but, after breaking his foot this summer, everything was put on hold.
Now, weeks before the Oklahoma tips off its season, Moser confirmed Cole was given the all-clear and has been practicing with the team during camp.
The former four-star recruit from Bellaire, Texas, stated the injury was a setback, but he has had plenty of time to recover before heading into the regular season.
“It definitely was an adjustment coming back,” Cole said. “But, over time, I’ve just been able to get back slowly, and I feel like I am where I need to be right now.”
Cole and the Sooners face Central Michigan at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6 at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman on ESPN+.
