2020–21 Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team
{{short description|American college basketball season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
|year=2020–21
|team=Oklahoma Sooners
|sport=Basketball
|image = Oklahoma Sooners logo.svg
|image_size = 100
|conference=Big 12 Conference
|division=
|short_conf= Big 12
|CoachRank=
|APRank=
|record=16–11
|conf_record= 9–8
|head_coach= Lon Kruger
|hc_year = 10th
|asst_coach1= Jim Molinari
|asst_coach2= Carlin Hartman
|asst_coach3= Pooh Williamson
|stadium=Lloyd Noble Center
|champion=
|tourney = NCAA tournament
|tourney_result = second round
}}
{{2020–21 Big 12 men's basketball standings}}
The 2020–21 Oklahoma Sooners basketball team represented the University of Oklahoma in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They were led by 10th-year head coach Lon Kruger and played their home games at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma, as members of the Big 12 Conference. They finished the season 16–11, 9–8 in Big 12 play to finish in a tie for sixth place. As the No. 7 seed in the Big 12 tournament, they defeated Iowa State before losing to Kansas in the quarterfinals. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 8 seed in the West region. There they defeated Missouri in the First Round before losing to Gonzaga in the Second Round.
On March 25, 2021, head coach Lon Kruger retired as head coach after 10 years at Oklahoma and 45 years of coaching.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-25|title=Oklahoma's Kruger retires after 45-year career|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31135165/oklahoma-sooners-men-basketball-coach-lon-kruger-retiring-45-years-coaching|access-date=2021-04-07|website=ESPN.com|language=en}} On April 3, the school named Loyola coach Porter Moser the new head coach.{{Cite web|title=Oklahoma hires Loyola Chicago's Porter Moser to replace Lon Kruger as Sooners coach|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/oklahoma-hires-loyola-chicagos-porter-moser-to-replace-lon-kruger-as-sooners-coach/|access-date=2021-04-07|website=CBSSports.com|language=en}}
Previous season
The Sooners finished the 2019–20 season with an overall record of 19–11, 9–9 in Big 12 play to finish in a tie for third place. All postseason tournaments were canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Offseason
=Departures=
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
! Name !! Number !! Pos. !! Height !! Weight !! Year !! Hometown !! class="unsortable" | Reason for departure | |||||||
| Corbin Merritt | 2 | C | 6'9" | 245 | {{sort|2.5|RS Sophomore}} | Tallahassee, FL | Transferred to Austin Peay |
| Kristian Doolittle | 21 | F | 6'7" | 232 | {{sort|4|Senior}} | Edmond, OK | Graduated |
| Jamal Bieniemy | 24 | G | 6'5" | 187 | {{sort|2|Sophomore}} | Katy, TX | Transferred to UTEP |
=Incoming transfers=
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
! Name !! Number !! Pos. !! Height !! Weight !! Year !! Hometown !! class="unsortable" | Previous School | |||||||
| {{sortname|Umoja|Gibson|nolink=1}} | 2 | G | 6'1" | 176 | {{sort|3|Junior}} | Waco, TX | Transferred from |
| {{sortname|Elijah|Harkless}} | 24 | G | 6'3" | 195 | {{sort|3|Junior}} | Rialto, CA | Transferred from Cal State Northridge. |
=2020 recruiting class=
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2020}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Trey Phipps
| hometown = Tulsa, OK
| highschool = Booker T. Washington
| feet = 6
| inches = 1
| weight = 160
| 40 =
| commitdate = August 1, 2019
| scout stars =
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars = 3
| espn stars = N/A
| espn grade = N/A
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Josh O'Garro
| position = SF
| hometown = George Town, Cayman Islands
| highschool = Santa Clarita Christian School
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 175
| 40 =
| commitdate = August 6, 2020
| scout stars =
| rivals stars = 3
| 247 stars = 3
| espn stars = 4
| espn grade = 80
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40 =
| year = 2020
| rivals ref title = 2020 Oklahoma Commits
| scout ref title = Men's Basketball Recruiting
| espn ref title = ESPN- Oklahoma Sooners Men's Basketball Recruiting
| scout s =
| espn schoolid =
| accessdate =
| bball = yes
}}
Roster
{{CBB roster/Header|year=2020|team=Oklahoma Sooners|teamcolors=y|high_school=yes}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Victor|last=Iwuakor|num=0|pos=F|ft=6|in=7|lbs=223|class=so|rs=|home=Abuja, Nigeria|high_school=Sulphur Springs}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jalen|last=Hill|num=1|pos=F|ft=6|in=7|lbs=225|class=so|rs=|home=Las Vegas, NV|high_school=Clark}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Umoja|last=Gibson|num=2|pos=G|ft=6|in=1|lbs=176|class=jr|home=Waco, TX|high_school=North Texas}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Trey|last=Phipps|num=3|pos=G|ft=6|in=2|lbs=178|class=fr|rs=|home=Tulsa, OK|high_school=Booker T. Washington}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=De'Vion|last=Harmon|link=y|num=11|pos=G|ft=6|in=2|lbs=198|class=so|rs=|home=Denton, TX|high_school=John Guyer}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Austin|last=Reaves|link=y|num=12|pos=G|ft=6|in=5|lbs=206|class=sr|rs=y|home=Newark, AR|high_school=Wichita State}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Anyang|last=Garang|num=13|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=205|class=fr|rs=y|home=Adelaide, Australia|high_school=NBA Global Academy}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Alondes|last=Williams|link=y|num=15|pos=G|ft=6|in=5|lbs=201|class=sr|rs=|home=Milwaukee, WI|high_school=Triton College}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Rick|last=Issanza|num=20|pos=C|ft=7|in=1|lbs=245|class=fr|rs=u|home=Kinshasa, Congo|high_school=Bella Vista Prep}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Josh|last=O'Garro|num=21|pos=G|ft=6|in=5|lbs=175|class=fr|rs=|home=George Town, Cayman Islands|high_school=Santa Clarita Christian School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Elijah|last=Harkless|link=y|num=24|pos=G|ft=6|in=3|lbs=195|class=jr|rs=|home=San Bernardino, CA|high_school=Cal State Northridge}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Read|last=Streller|num=32|pos=F|ft=6|in=8|lbs=213|class=sr|rs=|home=Edmond, OK|high_school=Oklahoma Christian School|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Brady|last=Manek|link=y|num=35|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=231|class=sr|rs=|home=Harrah, OK|high_school=Harrah}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Blake|last=Seacat|num=44|pos=G|ft=6|in=4|lbs=203|class=so|rs=|home=Jenks, OK|high_school=Jenks|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Keller|last=Casey|num=45|pos=G|ft=6|in=6|lbs=212|class=so|rs=|home=Dallas, TX|high_school=Episcopal School of Dallas|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Kur|last=Kuath|num=52|pos=F|ft=6|in=10|lbs=220|class=sr|rs=y|home=Biemnon, South Sudan|high_school=Salt Lake CC}}
{{CBB roster/Footer
|head_coach=
- Lon Kruger ({{college|Kansas State}})
|asst_coach=
- Carlin Hartman ({{college|Tulane}})
- Jim Molinari ({{college|Illinois Wesleyan}})
- Pooh Williamson ({{college|Tulsa}})
|roster_url=https://soonersports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2020-21
|accessdate=
}}
Schedule and results
{{CBB schedule start|gamehighs=|attend=yes}}
|-
! colspan=9 style={{NCAA color cell|Oklahoma Sooners}}|Regular season
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 3, 2020
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| nonconf = yes
| opponent = UTSA
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = FSOK
| score = 105–66
| attend = 2,201
| record = 1–0
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 6, 2020
| time = 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = TCU
| site_stadium = Schollmaier Arena
| site_cityst = Fort Worth, TX
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 82–78
| attend = 1,747
| record = 2–0
| conference = 1–0
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 9, 2020
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| nonconf = yes
| away = yes
| opponent = Xavier
| site_stadium = Cintas Center
| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH
| gamename = Big East/Big 12 Battle
| tv = FS1
| score = 77–99
| attend = 300
| record = 2–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 12, 2020
| time = 4:00 pm
| nonconf = yes
| opponent = Florida A&M
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = FSOK
| score = 85–54
| attend = 1,909
| record = 3–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 16, 2020
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| nonconf = yes
| opponent = Oral Roberts
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = FSOK
| score = 79–65
| attend = 2,000
| record = 4–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 19, 2020
| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm
| nonconf = yes
| opponent = Houston Baptist
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = FSOK
| score = 84–65
| attend = 611
| record = 5–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 22, 2020
| time = 6:00{{nbsp}}pm
| opponent = Texas Tech
| opprank = 15
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 67–69
| attend = 1,328
| record = 5–2
| conference = 1–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 2, 2021
| time = 3:00{{nbsp}}pm
| opponent = West Virginia
| opprank = 9
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 75–71
| attend = 2,431
| record = 6–2
| conference = 2–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 6, 2021
| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = Baylor
| opprank = 2
| site_stadium = Ferrell Center
| site_cityst = Waco, TX
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 61–76
| attend = 2,350
| record = 6–3
| conference = 2–2
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 9, 2021
| time = 3:30{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = Kansas
| opprank = 6
| site_stadium =Allen Fieldhouse
| site_cityst = Lawrence, KS
| tv = CBS
| score = 59–63
| attend = 2,500
| record = 6–4
| conference = 2–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 12, 2021
| time = 6:30{{nbsp}}pm
| opponent = TCU
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN+
| score = 82–46
| attend = 1,921
| record = 7–4
| conference = 3–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 16, 2021
| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = Oklahoma State
| site_stadium = Gallagher-Iba Arena
| site_cityst = Stillwater, OK
| tv = ESPN2
| gamename = Bedlam
| status = p
| attend =
| record =
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 19, 2021
| time = 5:30{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| opponent = Kansas State
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = FSOK
| score = 76–50
| attend = 1,934
| record = 8–4
| conference = 4–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 23, 2021
| time = 11:00{{nbsp}}am
| opprank = 9
| opponent = Kansas
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN
| score = 75–68
| attend = 2,669
| record = 9–4
| conference = 5–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 26, 2021
| time = 6:00{{nbsp}}pm
| rank = 24
| away = yes
| opponent = Texas
| opprank = 5
| site_stadium = Frank Erwin Center
| site_cityst = Austin, TX
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 80–79
| attend = 0
| record = 10–4
| conference = 6–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 30, 2021
| time = 11:00{{nbsp}}am
| rank = 24
| nonconf = yes
| opponent = Alabama
| opprank = 9
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| gamename = Big 12/SEC Challenge
| tv = ESPN
| score = 66–61
| attend = 2,680
| record = 11–4
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 1, 2021
| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| rank = 9
| opponent = Texas Tech
| opprank = 13
| site_stadium = United Supermarkets Arena
| site_cityst = Lubbock, TX
| tv = ESPN
| score = 52–57
| attend = 4,250
| record = 11–5
| conference = 6–4
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 6, 2021
| time = 11:00 am
| rank = 9
| opponent = Iowa State
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 79–72
| attend = 2,734
| record = 12–5
| conference = 7–4
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 10, 2021
| time = 5:00 pm
| rank = 12
| opponent = Baylor
| opprank = 2
| status = p
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN2
| score = Postponed
| attend =
| record =
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 13, 2021
| time = 12:00 pm
| away = yes
| rank = 12
| opponent = West Virginia
| opprank = 14
| site_stadium = WVU Coliseum
| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV
| tv = ESPN+
| score = 91–90
| overtime = 2OT
| attend = 2,800
| record = 13–5
| conference = 8–4
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 18, 2021
| time =
| rank = 9
| opponent = Texas
| opprank = 12
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = TBD
| status = p
| score = Postponed
| attend =
| record =
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 20, 2021
| time = 5:00 pm
| away = yes
| rank = 9
| opponent = Iowa State
| site_stadium = Hilton Coliseum
| site_cityst = Ames, IA
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 66–56
| attend = 1,281
| record = 14–5
| conference = 9–4
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 23, 2021
| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| rank = 7
| opponent = Kansas State
| site_stadium = Bramlage Coliseum
| site_cityst = Manhattan, KS
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 57–62
| attend = 896
| record = 14–6
| conference = 9–5
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 27, 2021
| time = 2:00{{nbsp}}pm
| rank = 7
| opponent = Oklahoma State
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| gamename = Bedlam
| tv = ABC
| score = 90–94
| overtime = OT
| attend = 2,929
| record = 14–7
| conference = 9–6
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 1, 2021
| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm
| away = yes
| rank = 16
| opponent = Oklahoma State
| opprank = 17
| site_stadium = Gallagher-Iba Arena
| site_cityst = Stillwater, OK
| tv = ESPN
| gamename = Bedlam
| score = 75–79
| attend = 3,350
| record = 14–8
| conference = 9–7
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 4, 2021
| time = 8:00 pm
| rank = 16
| opponent = Texas
| opprank = 15
| site_stadium = Lloyd Noble Center
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| tv = ESPN
| score = 65–69
| attend = 2,952
| record = 14–9
| conference = 9–8
}}
|-
! colspan=9 style={{NCAA color cell|Oklahoma Sooners}}| 2021 Big 12 men's basketball tournament
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 10, 2021
| time = 8:30 pm
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 25
| seed = 7
| opponent = Iowa State
| opprank =
| oppseed = 10
| site_stadium = Sprint Center
| site_cityst = Kansas City, MO
| gamename = First Round
| tv = ESPN
| score = 79–73
| overtime =
| attend = 0
| record = 15–9
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 11, 2021
| time = 5:30 pm
| nonconf =
| homecoming =
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank = 25
| seed = 7
| opponent = Kansas
| opprank = 11
| oppseed = 2
| site_stadium = Sprint Center
| site_cityst = Kansas City, MO
| gamename = Quarterfinals
| tv = ESPN
| score = 62–69
| overtime =
| attend = 3,510
| record = 15–10
}}
|-
! colspan=9 style={{NCAA color cell|Oklahoma Sooners}}| 2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 20, 2021
| time = 6:25{{nbsp}}pm
| nonconf = yes
| neutral = yes
| rank =
| seed = 8 W
| opponent = Missouri
| oppseed = 9 W
| site_stadium = Lucas Oil Stadium
| site_cityst = Indianapolis, IN
| gamename = First Round
| tv = TNT
| score = 72–68
| attend =
| record = 16–10
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 22, 2021
| time = 1:40 pm
| nonconf = yes
| neutral = yes
| rank =
| seed = 8 W
| opponent = Gonzaga
| oppseed = 1 W
| opprank = 1
| site_stadium = Hinkle Fieldhouse
| site_cityst = Indianapolis, IN
| gamename = Second Round
| tv = CBS
| score = 71–87
| attend =
| record = 16–11
}}
|-
{{CBB schedule end|rank=| poll=AP Poll|timezone=Central Time}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2020-21 Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team}}
Category:Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball seasons
Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball