As January winds down, Oklahoma basketball is just looking for a reset. What began with promise - a New Year’s Day win over Ole Miss - has spiraled into a seven-game losing streak that has the Sooners searching for answers. At 11-10 overall and just 1-7 in SEC play, Porter Moser’s squad is in a freefall, and Saturday’s Red River showdown with Texas isn’t exactly a soft landing.
The Sooners haven’t won since that Jan. 1 victory. In fact, they haven’t even won at home in their last three tries. And while the program’s all-time record for consecutive losses sits at 10 - set way back in 1964 - this current stretch is inching uncomfortably close.
Saturday’s matchup with Texas doesn’t just carry rivalry weight. It’s a chance for Oklahoma to end a brutal month the way it started - with a win.
But that’s easier said than done against a Longhorns team that’s had OU’s number lately. Texas has won six straight games at Lloyd Noble Center and seven of the last eight overall against the Sooners since Moser took over in Norman.
The last time Oklahoma beat the Longhorns at home? That was back in 2019 - and even then, it took a narrow 69-67 escape.
For Moser, who’s just 1-7 against Texas in his tenure, the stakes go beyond bragging rights. With the Sooners sliding and fan frustration mounting, the pressure is building - and a rivalry win could be the kind of spark this team desperately needs.
Red River Rivalry: Round 108
Saturday marks the 108th meeting between these two storied programs on the hardwood. While the football version of the Red River Rivalry grabs most of the headlines, the basketball series has its own rich history, dating back to 1910.
Unlike the gridiron clash, though, this one hasn’t been played every year. Saturday’s game is the first of two this season, with the return leg set for March 7 in Austin - the final weekend of the regular season.
Despite recent struggles, Oklahoma still holds the edge in the all-time series, 58-49. But if the Sooners want to keep that lead intact - and avoid further slipping in the SEC standings - they’ll need to slow down a Texas team that’s been surging offensively.
What Texas Brings to the Table
Texas enters the game at 12-9 (3-5 SEC) and is averaging a robust 85.9 points per contest. The Longhorns have four starters scoring in double figures, and junior Dailyn Swain - a transfer from Xavier - is leading the way.
Swain is putting up 17.5 points per game on the season, but he’s been on an absolute heater lately. Over his last three games, he’s averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals.
That’s not just hot - that’s scorching.
Then there’s Jordan Pope, the senior who’s averaging 13.0 points and has a history of lighting up the Sooners. He dropped 27 and 21 points in two matchups against OU last season and is Texas’ most reliable threat from deep, shooting 35.8% from three.
Texas also brings toughness on the glass, ranking top six in the SEC in rebounding. The Horns pull down nearly 40 boards per game, including 13 on the offensive end - a number that could spell trouble for an Oklahoma defense that’s struggled to finish possessions. Add in the fact that Texas gets to the free-throw line 22 times a game and converts 20 of those on average, and you start to see how this team wears opponents down.
Against common SEC opponents, Texas has held its own. They picked up a big road win at Alabama (92-88), lost a shootout in overtime to Mississippi State (101-98), and fell just short against Texas A&M (74-70). Meanwhile, Oklahoma went 0-3 against the same trio, including a 72-53 blowout loss in Starkville.
What Oklahoma Needs to Do
Defense has been a sore spot for the Sooners, and it’s not getting any easier. Texas ranks third in the SEC in field goal percentage at 49.1%, while Oklahoma allows opponents to shoot 43.6% - 13th in the league. That’s a tough matchup, especially when you’re trying to stop a team that’s been pouring in points against some of the conference’s best.
Offensively, OU lives and dies with fifth-year senior Nijil Pack. He’s been the heartbeat of the Sooners’ attack, and his recent performances have been impressive - 25 and 22 points in back-to-back games.
The problem? Oklahoma lost both of those games, albeit by a combined margin of just three points.
Still, when Pack is rolling, the Sooners have a chance. They’re averaging 83.5 points per game overall and boast a 10-2 record when they score 84 or more. But since Jan. 1, they’ve only hit that mark twice - and split those games.
In short, if Pack can stay hot and get some help, Oklahoma might just have enough firepower to hang with Texas. But they’ll need to be sharp on both ends to get over the hump.
Stat to Watch
Here’s the number that tells the story: When Oklahoma allows 80 or more points, they’re 0-9. Texas has scored at least 80 in six of its last eight games - all against SEC competition. If the Longhorns hit that mark again on Saturday, history suggests it’ll be another long night for the Sooners.
Tipoff Info
Saturday’s Red River Rivalry matchup tips off from Norman and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Roy Philpott will be on the call, with Jon Crispin providing analysis.
For Oklahoma, this isn’t just about breaking a losing streak. It’s about pride, rivalry, and maybe even saving a season that’s slipping away. For Texas, it’s a chance to keep building momentum and continue their dominance in this matchup.
One thing’s for sure - when the horns and the Sooners meet, records don’t always matter. But for Oklahoma, the numbers are starting to speak louder than ever.