Porter Moser discusses playing without Rivaldo Soares, Oklahoma's focus entering Big 12 Tournament

Oklahoma is a little bit battered and beaten entering the Big 12 Tournament without two of their key rotation pieces. Ahead of their game against TCU, head coach Porter Moser addressed one of those setbacks and explained his team’s focus coming into the tourney.

Unfortunately, the Sooners got word within an hour of tip-off that leading scorer Javian McCollum would not be able to play in the TCU game. Then, rotation wing Rivaldo Soares is also out for the game, which is also a big loss, since Moser considers him one of the rocks of the team.

“You know, Rivaldo’s been a guy every day seems like down the stretch. He’s an emotional heart and soul guy for us,” said Moser. “Playing great, too. He plays both ends.”

Luckily, though, Moser suggests Soares’ injury isn’t worrisome long-term and it’s a matter of picking your battles when the Horned Frogs are already fairly certain to be playing NCAA Tournament games a week from now.

“So it’s short-term for him,” adder Moser. “He just wasn’t quite ready to do today, to push it. We’ve got a lot ahead of us, so he’s not playing today, but our guys, we’ve had gritty wins without guys, too.”

As for his team’s preparation leading into this weekend, Porter Moser said the team is taking it one game at a time and has been solely focused on TCU and game planning how to stop Jamie Dixon’s team on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s all been about TCU,” said the OU coach, breaking down what makes them so hard to compete against.

“You know, so much with TCU, they’re one of the best transition teams in the country. They just push it so hard. And then rebounding. With a Jamie Dixon team, you’ve got to be physical rebounding and you got to be tough.”

With the Horned Frogs’ experience, physical abilities, and run-and-gun mentality, a shorthanded Oklahoma team will be in for quite a battle to get to the next round.

“Our whole focus has been about transition defense against TCU. They push it, they’re athletic, they’re old, they come at you nonstop, and that’s what we’re fighting for. We have to do certain things to win this game, and the guys are really excited for this atmosphere.”