Inside Porter Moser’s four-year journey back to March Madness with Oklahoma basketball

The journey to March Madness is never an easy one. For some teams, it’s a smooth ride, but for others, it can be a long and winding road. The story of Porter Moser and his Oklahoma Sooners basketball team is a testament to perseverance, growth, and the power of rebuilding a program from the ground up. After four seasons of ups and downs, Moser has finally achieved the success he worked so hard to get. In 2025, after a challenging but promising journey, Moser’s Sooners are back in the NCAA Tournament, marking their return to March Madness.

For Moser, this moment represents more than just a trip to the tournament. It signifies a personal and professional victory. After taking over an Oklahoma program that had seen better days and struggled under previous coaches, Moser has gradually transformed the Sooners into a competitive force in the Big 12, one of the toughest basketball conferences in the country.

But how did Moser get here? What were the challenges he faced, and how did he turn around Oklahoma basketball in such a short time? In this feature, we’ll dive into Moser’s four-year journey, from his initial arrival in Norman, Oklahoma, to leading the Sooners back to March Madness.

The Beginning of a New Era

When Porter Moser was hired as the head coach of Oklahoma basketball in 2021, it was a turning point for the program. The Sooners were coming off a rocky period under Lon Kruger, who retired after leading the team for nearly a decade. Oklahoma was coming off a disappointing 2021 season that saw them miss the NCAA Tournament, and the team was looking for a fresh start.

Moser, who had previously built a reputation as a successful head coach at Loyola-Chicago, was tasked with restoring pride to the Sooners program. In his previous tenure with Loyola, Moser had led the Ramblers to unprecedented success, including an impressive Final Four run in 2018. His brand of defense-first basketball and methodical offensive sets resonated with players, and he was known for his ability to build strong team cultures.

Despite the optimism surrounding Moser’s arrival, there was no denying that the task ahead of him was daunting. Oklahoma had a deep basketball history, but in recent years, it had fallen out of the elite ranks of college hoops. Moser had to rebuild from scratch, addressing roster changes, player development, and a tough conference schedule.

“I knew what I was getting into when I took the job,” Moser said. “The Big 12 is one of the best conferences in college basketball, and every game is a battle. But I was excited to take on that challenge and help these guys develop not just as players, but as people.”

Year One: Laying the Foundation

Moser’s first year in Norman (2021-22) was a mix of challenges and successes. The Sooners had some talented players on the roster, but they were still adjusting to Moser’s system, which focused on tough defense, ball movement, and unselfish play.

Oklahoma finished the season with a 19-15 record and narrowly missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth. However, the team showed considerable improvement over the course of the season, and the foundation for future success began to take shape. Moser’s emphasis on team-first basketball and his commitment to defense were evident from the start, even if the wins didn’t immediately follow.

One of the biggest positives from that first year was the development of Tanner Groves, who had transferred from Eastern Washington. Groves emerged as one of Oklahoma’s most reliable players, and his leadership helped the team navigate through the rough patches. Moser also brought in several new faces, including Elijah Harkless and Jalen Hill, who played significant roles as both scorers and defenders.

While they fell short of the NCAA Tournament in year one, there was a palpable sense of optimism around the program. Moser had begun to instill his values into the players, and fans could see the potential for the future.

Year Two: Taking Steps Forward

The 2022-23 season was a pivotal year for Moser and the Sooners. With another year of recruiting under his belt, Moser was able to bring in a talented group of new players, including key transfers and freshmen who were expected to make an immediate impact. The team also had a year of experience with Moser’s defensive schemes and offensive principles, which helped improve their overall play.

Oklahoma’s defense continued to be a calling card, with Moser’s system forcing turnovers and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities. The Sooners took on the Big 12 head-to-head and proved they could hang with the best in the conference. However, despite the improvements, Oklahoma still struggled with consistency.

In the Big 12, where teams like Kansas, Baylor, and Texas are perennial title contenders, every game is a grind. Oklahoma had a couple of impressive wins during the season, but they also suffered some tough losses, which kept them on the NCAA Tournament bubble. When the tournament field was announced in 2023, Oklahoma was left out once again, marking a second straight year of disappointment.

Despite this, Moser remained confident in his vision. “We’re on the right path,” he said after the season ended. “We’re building something here. It’s going to take time, but I believe we’re close.”

Year Three: The Breakthrough Season

By 2023-24, Oklahoma basketball was beginning to click under Moser’s leadership. The team had become more familiar with his system, and key players like Tanner Groves and Jalen Hill had developed into legitimate Big 12 stars. Additionally, Moser’s recruiting efforts were beginning to pay off, as the Sooners brought in several talented players who could make an impact right away.

The Sooners made significant strides in their third season, finishing with a 22-11 record. They were a much-improved team from the previous two seasons, and their defense had reached new heights, ranking among the top in the nation. The offense, while still not as explosive as some of the top programs, was becoming more efficient, and Moser’s players were beginning to find their rhythm.

Despite their strong play throughout the regular season, Oklahoma was still fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Big 12’s depth and competitiveness made every game crucial, and Oklahoma’s performance in the conference tournament would be vital in determining their fate. The Sooners made a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament, securing key victories and ultimately earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Moser’s watch.

The return to March Madness was a moment of immense pride for Moser and his players, as they had finally reached the pinnacle of college basketball. The Sooners weren’t expected to go far in the tournament, but they had proven they could compete with the best teams in the country.

Year Four: Solidifying Their Place Among the Elite

Heading into the 2024-25 season, Porter Moser’s program was firmly established as one of the top teams in the Big 12. The Sooners had secured a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament, a testament to their consistent growth over the past four seasons. The team had become one of the toughest and most disciplined units in the country, thanks to Moser’s commitment to defense and team play.

With a balanced roster that featured both experienced veterans and young, talented newcomers, Oklahoma had all the pieces in place to make a deep run in March Madness. Players like Tanner Groves and Jalen Hill had become All-Big 12 performers, while newcomers like Jordan Walsh and Tyrese Hunter added an extra layer of talent to the squad.

As the team entered the tournament, expectations were high. Moser had proven he could build a competitive program in a tough conference, and the Sooners were determined to show they could go deep into March Madness. Their strong defensive identity, combined with an improved offense, made them a formidable opponent for anyone in the field.

The Legacy of Porter Moser

Porter Moser’s journey at Oklahoma is a story of resilience, growth, and the power of patience. After four years of rebuilding and overcoming adversity, Moser’s vision for the Sooners has come to fruition. The 2025 NCAA Tournament marks not just a return to March Madness, but the culmination of a transformative period in Oklahoma basketball.

Moser’s ability to recruit, develop players, and instill a culture of defense and discipline has set Oklahoma up for continued success. While the Sooners have faced their fair share of challenges, Moser has proven that with the right leadership, dedication, and time, even the most difficult journeys can lead to greatness.

As Oklahoma prepares for another NCAA Tournament run in 2025, the Sooners have finally returned to where they belong: among the elite teams in college basketball. And for Porter Moser, this is just the beginning of what could be a long and successful tenure in Norman.