How Oklahoma is Embracing Porter Moser’s Defense-First Mindset

NORMAN — For the second season in a row, Oklahoma basketball may have a wide range of new faces on the ground. 

The year-to-year turnover isn’t as excessive as Porter Moser’s first season in Norman, however among the most gifted gamers on the present squad are gamers that transferred in.

In fact, the Sooners even have locker room veterans, too. Moser talked about a number of occasions throughout Thursday’s media availability how having guys which have been in this system make an enormous distinction. Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves, Bijan Cortes, CJ Noland and Jalen Hill are all getting into 12 months two of the Moser period.

“These 5, having them again, having guys which have been by your program,” Moser began, “I can’t inform you how a lot that helped us this summer time. And it’s serving to us this fall. Simply how issues go, these are our requirements, how laborious it’s important to go each rep.”

Having expertise helps in each follow and preparation, because the returning gamers perceive what Moser is on the lookout for. One factor is for certain: Oklahoma will emphasize protection, regardless of who’s on the ground.

For transfers coming in, studying a brand new system in a brief period of time might be overwhelming. Beneath Moser, a coach who appears to worth laborious work and hustle, it may well add further motivation.

“In case you get a cease or one thing, take a cost, he’s gonna be simply as hype as you might be,” Nevada switch Grant Sherfield stated. Sherfield was a prized possession in Oklahoma’s portal class, and can probably lead the offense. “And he’s what? 54 years outdated, leaping and working round? I imply that’s at all times enjoyable. It actually makes you wanna get after it extra on protection for certain.”

It at all times takes time for a group to seek out chemistry, however the Sooners appear to be understanding Moser’s factors of emphasis. If Oklahoma might be an elite defensive group, it might be a enjoyable season.

“You realize coach is actual thorough on protection, and protection creates offense,” Sherfield stated. “D-C-O, he at all times preaches that. We’re making an attempt to place that into play.

“I actually simply need to lock in every single day. Be sure that I’m rotating into the completely different spots.”