The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to snap a tough three-game skid as they welcome No. 18 Alabama to Norman on Saturday in a pivotal SEC showdown.
Porter Moser’s squad enters the matchup at 11-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play. After notching a solid win over Ole Miss to open SEC action, the Sooners have stumbled with three straight losses, most recently falling to Florida. The energy inside Lloyd Noble Center will need to be high if OU wants to turn the tide against a red-hot Crimson Tide team that just dropped 97 points on Mississippi State.
Tip-off Time and Broadcast Info
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 17
- Time: 12:00 p.m. CT
- TV: Check local listings
- Streaming: Available through your provider’s streaming platform
Radio Coverage
Fans can catch the call with Toby Rowland and Kevin Henry on the Sooner Sports Network. That includes KRXO 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City, KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa, and streaming on the Varsity Radio App.
What’s at Stake for Oklahoma
This game is more than just a ranked matchup-it’s a measuring stick for where Oklahoma stands midway through the season. The Sooners have shown flashes of offensive firepower, putting up 90+ points in several games this year, including a 107-point outburst against Stetson and a narrow win over Marquette. But consistency has been elusive, especially in conference play.
Losses to Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Florida have exposed some defensive vulnerabilities and lapses in execution during crunch time. Against Alabama, a team that thrives in transition and can light it up from beyond the arc, those breakdowns could be costly.
Scouting Alabama
Alabama comes in at 12-5 overall and 2-2 in SEC play, fresh off a high-scoring win over Mississippi State. The Tide have one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and when they get hot, they’re tough to slow down. For OU, controlling tempo and limiting second-chance opportunities will be key.
Sooners Season Snapshot (So Far)
Oklahoma started the season strong, racking up non-conference wins over teams like Wake Forest, Oral Roberts, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. But the schedule stiffened quickly. Losses to Gonzaga and Nebraska highlighted some early defensive issues, and SEC play has only added more pressure.
Here’s a quick look at how the season has unfolded:
- Big Wins: Marquette (75-74), Ole Miss (86-70), OSU (85-76)
- Tough Losses: Mississippi State (72-53), Texas A&M (83-76), Florida (96-79)
The Sooners have shown they can score-the offense isn’t the issue. It’s the defensive side and maintaining composure late in games that will determine whether this team can make a serious push in the SEC.
Looking Ahead
After Alabama, the road doesn’t get any easier. Oklahoma heads to South Carolina and Missouri before returning home to face Arkansas and Texas. With the SEC loaded from top to bottom, every game is a chance to gain ground-or fall further behind.
Saturday’s matchup against the Crimson Tide is more than just a chance to stop a losing streak. It’s an opportunity to prove that this team can compete with the best in the conference.
If the Sooners bring their A-game, they’ve got a shot to make some noise. If not, Alabama could make it a long afternoon in Norman.