The winds of change are sweeping through Norman, and they’re hitting the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball program hard. In what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason, four Sooners have officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, triggering a wave of speculation, concern, and reflection across the Sooner Nation.
While roster turnover is nothing new in the modern era of college basketball—where the portal has become almost as critical as recruiting—the volume and timing of these exits have raised eyebrows. The departures aren’t just numbers on a roster sheet; they represent key pieces of the team’s identity, chemistry, and long-term development plan.
Among the players exiting are Duke Miles, a senior guard who brought a spark off the bench; Jacolb Cole, a promising freshman forward with tremendous upside; Luke Northweather, a versatile big man; and young guard Otega Oweh, whose athleticism and energy made him a fan favorite. Each player had carved out a different niche within the Sooners’ structure, but their decisions to move on signal deeper shifts beneath the surface.
For head coach Porter Moser, this offseason may be one of the most critical in his tenure. The program just wrapped up a season that failed to meet expectations, bowing out early in the NCAA Tournament after a solid yet inconsistent regular season. The portal entries now present a double-edged sword: while they open up new scholarship opportunities and potential for fresh talent, they also point to possible internal dissatisfaction—whether with playing time, team dynamics, or coaching strategy.
Fans and analysts alike are questioning what the mass exits mean for the culture of the team. Is it simply a byproduct of college basketball’s chaotic transfer era? Or are there systemic issues within the program that need addressing? While no public statements have been made by the departing players, whispers of frustration regarding roles and minutes have surfaced from behind the scenes.
In response, Oklahoma’s coaching staff has already started recalibrating its recruiting priorities, actively pursuing impact players in the transfer portal to fill the void. The team will need experienced leadership, locker room glue, and high-caliber talent to maintain competitiveness in the ever-intensifying Big 12.
For now, all eyes are on what comes next. The Sooners are at a crossroads, and how they respond to this shakeup may define the trajectory of the program for years to come. One thing is clear: change is not just coming to Oklahoma basketball—it’s already here.
