Porter Moser calls for Jalen Hill to be on Defensive Player of the Year watch list

Oklahoma won one of the most impressive games of the season Saturday, and senior forward Jalen Hill was a major reason why.

Hill dropped 26 points on 9-for-11 shooting with eight rebounds and two assists as the Sooners took No. 2 Alabama to the cleaners en route to a 93-69 victory.

“Jalen had 26 but I think the first thing we should talk about is that kid needs to be on the watch list for the National Defensive Player of the Year,” Porter Moser said after the game. “If he’s not on the watch list for National Defensive Player of the Year, people — they’re not watching.”

Hill is second on the team in scoring but defends the best player on the opposing team quite often.

“This kid’s unbelievable defensively and I hope you all tell that story nationally because what he does night in, night out — the guys he guards — he’s guarding lottery picks,” Moser said. “He is resilient. He’s playing a lot of minutes.”

Porter Moser lauds Jalen Hill’s performance

While he spent most of his answer politicking for Jalen Hill’s inclusion on the National Defensive Player of the Year watch list, Porter Moser did also talk about his senior forward’s game Saturday.

“For him to have that defensive effort and have 26 points as well, what a performance by Jalen,” Moser said.

Hill and Grant Sherfield gave Alabama little chance in the game. Sherfield dropped 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting while also dishing out six assists. Tanner Groves also had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

But the game will be remember for Hill’s effort — and also his highlight reel dunk in the second half.

“Just really happy for the guys,” Moser said. “I think they were sick of me saying ‘man, we’re right there.’ I thought they played the right way. I thought they played hard, I thought the crowd was unbelievable.”