Big 12 Basketball: 5 Way-Too-Early Bold Predictions for 2021-22
By John Scimeca
5. Porter Moser Exceeds Expectations at Oklahoma
OSU fans might not like to hear it, but the Sooners hired a winner in new head coach Porter Moser. The Naperville, Ill. native brought solid, well-coached teams to recent NCAA Tournaments and reach two Sweet 16s in four seasons at Loyola Chicago, including the 2018 Final Four.
The Sooners are scrambling to replace some talent after the departure of former head coach Lon Kruger, who stepped down after 45 years of coaching basketball. Kruger lasted 10 years in Norman and restored a winning program. He reached the Final Four in 2016 and led the Sooners to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, missing the Big Dance only twice.
Moser’s teams at Loyola Chicago demonstrate his ability to coach. His squads, led by recognizable players such as center Cameron Krutwig, played stifling defense and executed fine-tuned backdoor cuts that often frustrated more talented opponents. Of all the upsets from the 2021 NCAA Tournament, there might have been none greater than the No. 8-seeded Ramblers of the Missouri Valley Conference taking down one of the favorites to win it all, Illinois.
How can OSU win the 2021-22 Big 12 title?. dark. Next
Yes, Austin Reaves just declared for the NBA Draft and the Sooners have a new coach for the first time in a decade. But if observers pick OU to miss the tourney and finish in the bottom half of the Big 12 next year, don’t count on it. Moser figures to make his impact felt with the Sooners immediately.