Selection Sunday delivered a tough reality for the Oklahoma Sooners, who found themselves just shy of the NCAA Tournament bubble. Despite a late-season surge, they didn't make the cut, and the Texas Longhorns edged them out for a spot, a decision that left many scratching their heads.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket was unveiled, and for the fourth time in five years, the Sooners were missing from the lineup under head coach Porter Moser. They were the first team out, according to CBS Sports, after a strong finish, winning eight of their last 11 games. This marks the third time under Moser's leadership that OU was so close, yet so far.
Miami (OH) snagged the final at-large bid despite an upset loss to UMass in the MAC Tournament. Even with a stellar 31-1 record, Miami (OH) was 16 spots below the Sooners in the NET rankings and had no Quad 1 games, whereas OU had a 4-10 record in such matchups. It seems quantity triumphed over quality this time, though it's hard to argue against a 31-1 team making the tournament.
OU fans might find more reason to grumble about Texas' inclusion. The Sooners had just defeated Texas 88-85 in overtime in Austin, splitting their season series. While Texas boasted two more Quad 1 wins, the Sooners ended the season with a better overall record at 19-15 compared to Texas' 18-14.
Adding to the controversy, Texas was knocked out in the first round of the SEC Tournament by 15-seed Ole Miss and enters the NCAA Tournament on a three-game skid. Meanwhile, the Sooners were playing some of their best basketball, dominating two SEC Tournament games before a narrow loss to Arkansas, the eventual champions. That loss ended a six-game winning streak and might have been the tipping point for their tournament hopes.
The Sooners' early nine-game losing streak in SEC play was a setback they couldn't quite overcome. But when it came down to the Red River Rivalry, the Sooners had made their case on the court just days before Selection Sunday.