After a 15-17 disappointing 2022-23 campaign, Porter Moser and the Sooners look to bounce back this season. Not only does this year’s roster look drastically different from last year’s, but the play style should also be much different. Heading into the offseason, it was apparent that the Sooners needed to add athleticism and shooting to the roster. It was clear that Moser was going to lose many players from last year’s roster, but it was essential to retain the young players like Milos Uzan and Otega Oweh. On November 7th, 2022, Oklahoma opened the season with a starting five of Grant Sherfield, CJ Noland, Jacob Groves, Jalen Hill, and Tanner Groves, all five of which will not return. There is major roster turnover, but that is needed roster turnover. Let’s take a look at the Sooners roster heading into Porter Moser’s third season as head coach.
Returners
G Milos Uzan, 6’4” 193 lbs, Sophomore: Last year in his freshman season for the Sooners, Uzan played in all 32 games, started 24 games, and played 28.6 minutes per game. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on 47% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from behind the arc. Uzan was one of the teams best three-point shooters according to his percentage, however, he only attempted 2.2 threes per game. Ideally, Uzan will have an increase in three-point attempts this season. He was a great facilitator last season and will excel in that aspect this year as well. If Uzan can make the jump as a scorer, he will have a legitimate shot at getting his name called in the 2024 NBA draft. He will be Porter Moser’s point guard this season and having a year under his belt will help him a lot. Last season he was a true freshman averaging 28.6 minutes per game in the nation’s toughest conference, this year Uzan will be a leader for the Sooners. He was arguably the biggest bright spot on last year’s team. Oklahoma fans should be very excited to see what Milos Uzan does in his sophomore season.
G Otega Oweh, 6 '5'' 215 lbs, Sophomore: Last year in his freshman campaign, Otega Oweh played in 28 games, started the final nine games of the season, and played 13.3 minutes per game. Oweh averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and a team-high 1.2 steals per game. He shot 44.3% from the field and was 25% on his four three-point attempts last season. In the nine games he started, Oweh averaged 8.7 points per game. He provides athleticism and tremendous defensive ability. Oweh was one of the best defenders on the team, in just his freshman season. More experience will bode really well for him. Oweh will be one of if not the best defenders on the team this season. There is a strong chance he gets the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s best players every night. Oweh has all the tools to be one of the best defenders in the conference. The new pace of play should help Oweh’s offensive game. He excels at getting to the basket. If his three-point shot can be average, Oweh will be in for a big season on both sides of the ball.
C Sam Godwin, 6’10” 235 lbs, Senior: Last year Sam Godwin was a preferred walk-on, this year he is on scholarship. Godwin played in all 32 games and averaged 12.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game. He shot 66% from the field. Godwin was huge for the Sooners last year. There were games where Godwin was Oklahoma’s best option at center. He thrives in the pick-and-roll and has great post moves around the basket. There are games where he is no doubt athletically outmatched, and those were the games which he struggled in the most last season. Godwin will more than likely play a somewhat similar role to what he played last season. He is going to be a great backup big in some games and will struggle in some. Added weight and experience in the system will help Godwin this season. Last year was a very impressive season, this year should be similar or quite possibly even a better season from Godwin.
F/C Luke Norweather 6’11” 245 lbs, Redshirt Freshman: The former Gatorade Missouri boys basketball player of the year redshirted last season. Porter Moser said Norweather was one of the best shooters on the team this past summer. He has already added 15 pounds since last season. Norweather is a wild card for the Sooners this season. It is unclear what the expectation is for him, but he certainly has a lot of potential. At 6’11” with the shooting ability he has, Norweather has all the tools necessary to provide quality minutes this season. Should an injury occur to Sam Godwin or John Hugley, the Sooners will be in need Norweather’s services. The buzz for him this offseason is there, however, we have not seen it in a game from him yet. Perhaps he can continue his great offseason and push for solid minutes at power forward or center this season.
F Yaya Keita, 6’9” 240 lbs, Redshirt Sophomore: Like Norweather, Keita also redshirted last season. He redshirted due to a shin injury. Prior to last season, Keita transferred to Oklahoma from Missouri. At Missouri in the 2021-22 season, he played in 21 games for the Tigers and averaged 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds on 33.3% shooting from the field. He missed part of that season due to injury as well. Much similar to Norweather, Keita is also a wild card for the Sooners this season. He has had good summer practices, but can he stay healthy? How much of a role can he play this season? Nonetheless, if Keita can remain healthy he will provide solid depth for the Sooners.
Transfers
G Javian McCollum, 6’2” 160 lbs, Junior: McCollum is the first transfer Oklahoma added this offseason. He is the #11 ranked transfer among all transfers in the 247 Sports composite rankings. Last year for Siena, McCollum averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 rebounds on 43% from the field and 35.6% from downtown. He played in 27 games for the Saints and started 25 games. He averaged 30.8 minutes per game. He is also very active defensively and averaged 1.1 steals per game. McCollum is a very exciting player and can score from all three levels. He is the type of player who can go get you 30 points on any given night. His game is exciting and fun to watch. Milos Uzan and Javian McCollum will give the Sooners one of the best backcourts in the country. Similar to Uzan, an impressive season this year for McCollum could result in him getting drafted. He has great range from behind the arc and is great in pick-and-roll situations. Look for a big year from one of the best transfers in the country this season.
F/C John Hugley IV, 6’10” 275 lbs, Redshirt Junior: Last season for Pittsburgh, Hugley played in eight games and averaged 8 points and 3.6 rebounds. He missed the beginning of that season due to a knee injury he suffered in practice. After those eight games, Hugley stepped away from the program to focus on his mental health. In 2021, Hugley played in thirty-two games, averaging 14.8 points and 7.9 rebounds on 47.1% shooting from the field. In the 2021-22 season, Hugley started 31 games and averaged 29.6 minutes per game. He will be Oklahoma’s most important player this season. It is vital to have a solid big man in the Big-12. If the Sooners can get 2021 John Hugley, they will have upgraded their big-man situation drastically. Hugley plays with physicality, which is needed in conference play especially. Hugley isn’t going to do his damage from behind the arc, he will do it from the paint. He will be the Sooners starting center this season and he will also be the X-Factor on this year’s team.
G Rivaldo Soares, 6’6” 215 lbs, Senior: Last year at Oregon, Soares started 33 games and averaged 7.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. Soares shot 38.1% from the field and 25.3% from behind the arc. He averaged 27.9 minutes per game and started 33 of the 36 games he played for the Ducks last season. Soares will be a swiss-army-knife for the Sooners this year. He can play shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. Soares is a playmaking wing who scores primarily at the rim. He will be a reliable option for the Sooners. He is also very versatile on the defensive end. Soares has a good chance at starting at the four, but whether he starts or not he will play a substantial amount of minutes for Oklahoma this season.
G Le’Tre Darthard, 6’4'' 190 lbs, Senior: Last year at Utah Valley, Darthard averaged 13.8 points and 3.5 rebounds. He shot 42.5% from the field and 35.6% from behind the arc. Darthard started in all 37 of Utah Valley’s games last season. Darthard is yet another experienced addition. He will likely be Oklahoma’s sixth man this season. He will be able to provide defense and scoring off the bench. Last season, Darthard was selected to the All-WAC first team and the WAC All defensive team. Darthard is one of Oklahoma’s three options at point guard this year. Look for him to get to the free-throw line at a high rate. He will be a spark off the bench and will play a substantial amount of minutes for Porter Moser this season. His defense is arguably the best thing about him. He will be able to defend at a very high rate.
F Jalon Moore, 6’7” 222 lbs, Junior: There has been no shortage of buzz around Jalon Moore this offseason. Last year at Georgia Tech, Moore played in 32 games and started 15. He averaged 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and shot 43.1% from the field. Moore only shot 11% from behind the arc last year, however, his mechanics are good enough for him to be a solid three-point shooter. One of the biggest needs for Porter Moser this offseason was to add athleticism, and Moore brings loads of that to the table. His athleticism has already impressed in the few months he has been on campus. Ideally, if Moore can put it all together, he is the starting power forward for the Sooners this year. His defense, rebounding, and athleticism are his three greatest traits. Moore has the potential to fill Jalen Hill’s role. Moore will thrive in a fast-paced offense, which is what Porter Moser looks to run this year. He has tons of potential and could be in for a huge first season at Oklahoma.
G Maks Klanjscek, 6’5” 202 lbs, Senior: Klanjscek is Oklahoma’s final transfer portal addition of the offseason. Last year at Houston Christian, he started all 32 games and averaged 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 39.9% from the field and 35.2% from behind the arc. In the last ten games of the season, Klanjscek averaged 23.5 points on 41% from behind the arc. He brings shooting to the table, which is something that was much needed for the Sooners last year. It is unclear just how much playing time Klanjscek will see this year, but he will provide depth regardless.
Freshman
G Kaden Cooper, 6’5” 190 lbs, Freshman: Kaden Cooper, originally from Ada, Oklahoma, was the #59 rated recruit in the 247 sports composite rankings. Cooper is an uber-athletic wing who is an exceptional defender. He can jump out of the gym. Cooper will see playing time early this season. He has the type of athleticism that has to play. Cooper is a very elite defender and thrives in transition. He was arguably the best shot-blocking wing in his class. Cooper isn’t an elite three-point shooter yet, but his mechanics are simple and will allow him to develop as a shooter throughout college. He already has great athleticism, but if he can continue to develop his offensive and defensive skills, Cooper will be a special player for Oklahoma. You can expect to see him playing substantial minutes this season.
F Jacolb Cole, 6’7” 211 lbs, Freshman: Jacolb Cole is a forward who was rated #103 nationally in the 247 sports composite rankings. The Southpaw has great versatility defensively and has the potential to be a very solid three-point shooter. Cole has already added 26 pounds so far. Unfortunately, Cole missed the majority of the summer due to a broken foot. He missed a portion of his Senior season in high school due to a torn ACL. If he can stay healthy, Cole will have the opportunity to push for minutes this year. Even if he doesn’t see too many minutes this season, he for sure will in the future. Similar to Cooper, Cole will be good in time.
Comentários