After nearly three weeks off, Oklahoma is ready to hit the hardwood again. The Sooners, with a 19-15 record, are gearing up to face a familiar Big 12 rival, Colorado (17-15), in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown on Wednesday night.
The Sooners narrowly missed out on the NCAA Tournament, getting edged out after their SEC Tournament exit against Arkansas. Despite the setback, Oklahoma’s athletic director, Roger Denny, has shown faith in head coach Porter Moser, retaining him for a sixth season. This tournament presents an opportunity to both conclude this season on a high note and lay the groundwork for the next.
On the other side, Colorado navigated a challenging Big 12 schedule, finishing 7-11 in conference play under the experienced guidance of Tad Boyle. The Buffaloes, however, face some hurdles with key players entering the transfer portal, which leaves them a bit shorthanded for this matchup.
Oklahoma will be nearly at full strength, missing only Dayton Forsythe, who is recovering from ankle surgery. For the rest of the squad, this is a chance to earn some NIL prize money and build momentum for next season. Last year's champion, Nebraska, turned their victory into a historic Sweet 16 run this season.
If Oklahoma triumphs, they’ll advance to Saturday’s semifinals against the winner of the Baylor-Minnesota game, which follows the Sooners' clash with Colorado. This will mark the 138th meeting between Oklahoma and Colorado, with the Sooners holding an 88-49 advantage. It’s their first encounter since both teams were part of the Big 12 in 2011.
Here’s what you need to know for the Sooners' debut in "The Crown":
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Rankings: Oklahoma - 48 (NCAA Net) / 41 (KenPom) | Colorado - 76 (NCAA Net) / 72 (KenPom)
Broadcast Info:
- TV: FS1 with Tim Brando, Jim Jackson & Allison Williams
- Radio: Sooner Sports Network - KRXO 107.7 FM in Oklahoma City; KMOD 97.5 FM in Tulsa; The Varsity App with Toby Rowland & Kevin Henry
This matchup promises to be an exciting chapter in the storied rivalry between these two programs.