Welcome to year No. 5 under Porter Moser, welcome to OU basketball

And just like that, OU basketball is here. The season opener for the Sooners is 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Lloyd Noble Center.

St. Francis comes to town and will wrap up a men’s/women’s doubleheader at the LNC. OU women tip at 4:30.

It’s time for year No. 5 under Porter Moser. What’s different? Well, this is the first time where you can safely say there are expectations. Not just of the internal variety but also external.

OU did such a great job in the transfer portal in landing its quartet that just making the NCAA Tournament is not enough.

And that’s the goal, too. It’s not about being among the final 68 teams – gotta go beyond that. Moser and staff worked hard to build a roster that can do just that.

This roster feels like a nice blend of key returners with promising freshmen and then the best portal class Moser has ever had.

Sounds like a nice recipe. OU went for the big names and mission accomplished with Nijel Pack (Miami), Tae Davis (Notre Dame), Xzayvier Brown (St. Joe’s) and Derrion Reid (Alabama).

Do not be surprised or worried that four of the five starters are likely to be the portal guys.

“I think as more and more years into the cycle of NIL and the portal, you’re seeing some of these power Four, Big East rosters loaded,” Moser said. “You’re seeing them loaded. And so I think it’s going to be more important to have guys play against such a high level. That was our flag. Doesn’t mean we’re not going to ever take it, or some of those guys haven’t come because there have been some very good ones, and I could rattle off a bunch. But I think it’s important.

“Derrion’s referenced the offensive rebounding in the SEC in our locker room. Tae has been there. Nijel Pack’s been in the Final Four. When the big 12 was ranked No. 1, Nijel was first team all league. He’s been on that. He’s been on the final four stage. And so that’s just invaluable, that guys have had that kind of experience, and we targeted it. And it was, I really, I thought it was really important to get some guys that are a little older and experienced.”

Introducing Brown and Scott…

SoonerScoop will spend the opening week getting everybody acquainted with who you’re about to see. Get you ready for the opener and then be fully prepared for OU vs. Gonzaga on Saturday night in Spokane, Wash.

We’ll begin with Brown and assistant Justin Scott. The combo, father-son package that OU has been able to bring to Norman from Philadelphia.

“Justin Scott has been a great addition to our staff,” Moser said. “A veteran. A guy who’s been a head coach. Great with the players, great on-floor coach, great basketball mind. It’s just been seamless. Having X with him there, and X has been a huge part of what we’re doing. I couldn’t have had a scenario work out better to where I got a great assistant coach who I’m leaning on a lot, and then a point guard I’m leaning on a lot. So it’s worked out well.

“X brings a wealth of experience in a great league. Atlantic 10 was a great league. He was first team all-league, and he does a little bit of everything. He scores 17 a game, and he had rebounded it, assists, playmake, competes. Been in a lot of situations. And I just feel very confident in X. So it’s been great having those two on board.”