Porter Moser began his appearance at SEC Basketball Media Days by speaking about what he envisions being one of the pillars of his program.
Retention.
Nothing is guaranteed in this era of the transfer portal but no player was perhaps as important to retain for Moser this past offseason than Oklahoma point guard Xzayvier Brown. The stepson of Sooners assistant coach Justin Scott, Brown started all 37 of the Sooners’ games last season and led OU in minutes, while averaging 15.4 points per game.
Brown is one of the only starting point guards Moser has returned for a second season during his Sooners tenure.
“We were able to shrink the gap of what we could do for him, but also, he recognized that we were a culture of him getting better,” Moser said. “He got better throughout the year. The relationship piece, the piece of trusting him as a point guard with him and I, our relationship because I inherently feel that the business side, everyone talks right now about recruiting is transactional, and it is.
“It is, but it doesn't mean that your coaching has to be transactional.”
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OU was also able to retain forward Derrion Reid, who started all 37 games, averaged 11.7 points and found his stride during the Sooners’ late tournament push, as well as veteran depth piece Dayton Forsythe, who battled constant injuries a year ago.
Moser credits new athletic director Roger Denny for not only believing in him enough to retain him after missing the tournament for the fourth time in five seasons, but for upping the program’s resources. OU added a ton of experience through the transfer portal, acquiring Pop Isaacs from Texas A&M, B.J. Edwards from SMU and Duke Brennan from Villanova, all of whom have played over 100 career games.
One of Denny’s first steps was hiring Moser a general manager to build the roster so Moser could focus on his passion — coaching.
“I love that our administration — now we have a GM," Moser said. "I haven't had a GM. I've had to wear many hats. I'm a ball coach. I love to coach ball. I love the relationship-building of that. You have to lean into that. But the business side of everything, expectations isn't to fall short. I appreciate that. I appreciate my AD Roger Denny coming out and saying that. The expectations they have and the resources they've given. Those are some people that you really appreciate.”
Despite the lack of success, Moser’s confidence in himself and what he believes he can continue to build with the Sooners hasn’t wavered.
Brown sees the vision as well.
“I trust Coach Moser,” Brown said. “I feel like we can win here and I never really had a thought of leaving. I just feel like we can build on what we had last year. And why not – why not Oklahoma?”
OU was picked 12th this week in the SEC preseason predicted order of finish as voted upon by a select panel of both conference and national media members. But there’s a strong belief from Moser — especially if Brennan and Edwards are eligible — that the Sooners have a chance to surprise.
It also helps having the vote of confidence and a commitment to supporting the program from Denny and the help of McKay.
Moser believes in the trajectory of OU basketball. The Sooners begin their quest to get back to the NCAA Tournament against East Texas A&M on Nov. 2 at Lloyd Noble Center.
If OU has a successful season, Moser believes it’ll start with its returners. Particularly Brown.
“I know where I'm going,” Moser said. “I'm confident in my faith in the Lord of where we're going with this. I'm confident with the group we have.”
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Retaining OU basketball PG Xzayvier crucial to Sooners' plan under Porter Moser