Oklahoma's men's basketball team is set to continue a remarkable tradition this Saturday. For the second year in a row, they will host Alcorn State at McCasland Field House, a facility that has witnessed the team's glory days and is now a special venue for students.

The Significance of McCasland Field House

McCasland, with a 5,000-person capacity, was once the home of Oklahoma's men's basketball team from 1928 to 1975. It has seen the team achieve great heights, winning eight conference championships and making two Final Four appearances. The Field House is named after former OU player Howard McCasland, whose legacy lives on.OU coach Porter Moser emphasizes the importance of history, stating, "The atmosphere there, I'm a historian, I love history paving the way for the future." This sentiment is shared by basketball legend Alvan Adams, who played at OU from 1972 to 1975 and is now an NBA All-Star. He believes a student-filled McCasland is the perfect setting for a non-conference game.In 2023, Oklahoma played against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at McCasland Field House, marking the first time the men's basketball team competed there since 2012. This event brought back memories of the team's past successes at the venue.

The Team's Recent Success

Currently, the Sooners are in excellent form. They entered the AP Top 25 for the first time in the 2024-25 season at No. 21 on Monday. In their first game as a ranked team, they beat Georgia Tech 76-61 at home in the ACC-SEC Challenge. This win followed a Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament victory, where they beat Providence, Arizona, and Louisville in the Bahamas.Despite trailing at halftime against Georgia Tech, the Sooners rallied to stay undefeated. Coach Moser attributes their resiliency to their ability to find ways to win. He said, "I don't want to say we played tired in the first half but it was a grueling stretch. They always talk about that MTE (multi-team event) hangover, that's usually when you take a week off. We didn't have time to have a hangover."

The Opponent: Alcorn State

Alcorn State enters Saturday with a 0-10 record. One of their losses came against an NAIA school (Xavier University of Louisiana), and they are ranked No. 358 of 364 NCAA Division I men's basketball programs in the NET rankings. This indicates that the Sooners should have a relatively easy time in this game.However, the Sooners know they cannot take their opponent lightly. As multiple teams ranked ahead of them lose this week, they have the opportunity to rise even higher in the rankings if they can beat Alcorn State.In conclusion, the Sooners' upcoming game at McCasland Field House is a significant event that combines history, tradition, and the potential for future success. With their recent form and the right mindset, they are well-positioned to make the most of this opportunity.