NORMAN — The narrative has become cruelly repetitive for Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball, a program trapped in a cycle of promise followed by profound disappointment. On Saturday at Lloyd Noble Center, the home team authored yet another troubling chapter, surging to a commanding lead against rival Texas only to watch it crumble into a 79-69 defeat that extended their losing streak to eight consecutive games.
The performance followed a script familiar to frustrated fans. Oklahoma built a formidable 14-point first-half advantage, displaying flashes of potential that have teased throughout this maddening season. Even as Texas mounted their comeback, the Sooners clung to a six-point lead with eight minutes remaining. What followed was a masterclass in clutch execution from the Longhorns and another painful lesson in late-game collapse.
Texas closed the contest on an astonishing shooting spree, converting eight of their final nine field goal attempts. The Longhorns finished shooting an impressive 61% from the floor, standing in stark contrast to Oklahoma's modest 41% performance. The defensive breakdowns that have haunted the Sooners reached their zenith during this decisive stretch.
"We need all hands on deck to be able to close out a game and we didn't do that," Moser told reporters, echoing a sentiment that has become his unfortunate mantra.
The defeat carries significant historical weight. This eight-game conference losing streak represents Oklahoma's longest since the 2010-11 campaign, Jeff Capel's final season. For Moser, Saturday dropped his record to 0-5 against Texas inside Lloyd Noble Center and extended his conference mark to 27-54 since taking over. The palpable frustration among the home crowd boiled over as "Fire Moser" chants rang through the arena—a stark reminder of mounting pressure on the coaching staff.
The presence of new athletic director Roger Denny, attending his first major home game since replacing Joe Castiglione, added another layer of significance. Denny observed as the team he now oversees continued its troubling freefall, undoubtedly taking mental notes about the program's state.
Despite collective struggles, Nijel Pack delivered another spectacular performance, continuing his recent torrid stretch. The guard poured in 23 points, including three three-pointers, and demonstrated an ability to score from virtually anywhere. Whether drilling deep shots, converting contested mid-range jumpers, or bulldozing his way to the rim, Pack single-handedly kept Oklahoma within striking distance.
However, even Pack's heroic efforts proved insufficient. By the final horn, the standout guard appeared physically and emotionally exhausted. "We could've done a better job of trying to find each other, get a couple easier baskets, maybe get into more of a rhythm," Pack admitted. "I feel like we rushed a couple, kind of played into their hands and forced up some bad ones."
Pack's performance continued a remarkable run. Over his previous two games, he had averaged 23.5 points while knocking down 11 three-pointers on 19 attempts. His season average of 3.2 three-pointers per contest ranks third in the SEC, placing him among the conference's elite perimeter shooters.
While Pack shone as the primary weapon, Xzayvier Brown and Derrion Reid provided solid support, chipping in 15 points each. The duo offered necessary scoring punch, but their combined output proved insufficient against Texas's balanced attack.
The real story unfolded in Oklahoma's frontcourt, where Moser searches desperately for consistent production. Starting center Mo Wague endured another forgettable afternoon, finishing with zero points and three fouls in just seven minutes. The big man's inability to establish a presence has become a recurring issue that undermines the Sooners' interior game.
Enter Kirill Elatontsev, the Russian signee who joined before Christmas and is rapidly making his case for an expanded role. Elatontsev started the second half in place of Wague and responded with nine points, showcasing the versatility that made him an intriguing addition. "He's making a case to continue to get more and more minutes," Moser acknowledged. "For us to be able to win, Tae Davis and Mo Wague, obviously they're way better than that. It's the consistency to get it from those two. We need all hands on deck with that."
Wague, who finished last season on a strong note, has failed to recapture that form, leading to his quick hook on Saturday—replaced by Elatontsev after just 59 seconds of second-half action.
The statistical disparity told a damning story about Oklahoma's defensive deficiencies. While the Sooners shot 41% from the field, it paled compared to Texas's remarkable 61% conversion rate. Moser didn't mince words analyzing his team's inability to get crucial stops.
"The last 30 they were 27 for 35," Moser said, referring to Texas's shooting over the final stretch. "Our inability to guard the dribble and guard the 3-point line. Sometimes I'm saying they're making shots. I thought we could have been better closing out."
This defensive ineptitude has become the Sooners' Achilles' heel. Opponents consistently find open looks from the perimeter and clear paths to the basket, exploiting Oklahoma's lack of perimeter containment and interior protection.
As the Sooners enter the final stretch of conference play, questions surrounding the program grow louder. The "Fire Moser" chants reflect a fanbase desperate for competitiveness. Moser's 27-54 conference record presents a troubling body of work that new athletic leadership may eventually find impossible to overlook.
The Sooners must somehow regroup and salvage something from this spiraling season. The emergence of players like Elatontsev offers a glimmer of hope, but substantial improvements are needed across the roster. Pack cannot continue to carry the offensive load alone, and the supporting cast must elevate their play significantly.
The road ahead doesn't get easier. SEC competition remains fierce, and each opponent will study the Texas game film and replicate the Longhorns' successful formula. Until the Sooners demonstrate they can protect a lead and execute in crunch time, these painful collapses will continue.
The program stands at a crossroads, with Saturday's loss serving as yet another stark reminder of how far they have fallen. The Lloyd Noble Center, once a formidable fortress, has transformed into a venue where promising leads evaporate and frustration festers.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Longhorns celebrated while the Sooners trudged off with heads hung low, left to ponder how another promising start had devolved into defeat. With eight straight losses and no clear end to the misery, Oklahoma basketball finds itself navigating its darkest chapter in over a decade, searching desperately for answers that continue to elude them.