Porter Moser explains having 1-on-1 sessions with players

Oklahoma started as hot as any team in the country this season, but things have gotten a bit sideways for Porter Moser and company of late. After starting the season 13-1, Oklahoma has lost four of its last six games to slid to 15-5.

And as Moser tries to get his team out of the skid, he took it upon himself to meet with players individually. As he explained it, it’s a bit of an effort to show players he’s on their side and not trying to punish them with accountability.

“All about that they know that I’m in that with them,” Moser said. “I could be mad and hold them to a standard, but that doesn’t mean they’re against me. I did some individual ones because I wanted to let them know, ‘Hey we’re in this together to find solutions. Let’s find this solution together.’ And accountability’s a form of love. You’ve heard me say that before. So although we’re going through that, I want to sometimes do individual ones because I want them to know that, ‘Man, he’s for me.’ I’m in this.”

He emphasized the need for players to see that the accountability Moser seeks isn’t him trying to push down his players, and that it’s got to be coach and player versus the opponent — not coach versus player versus opponent.

“And that’s what some of the message is, ‘Let’s figure this out together,'” Moser said. “You’re not fighting someone who’s holding you accountable and the opponent. That’s really important for young people to understand. You’re not fighting the person that’s holding you accountable and your opponent. The person that’s holding you accountable, you’re in it together. And that’s why sometimes you do some individual things.”

Moser took responsibility for a recent loss to Texas

The Sooners had been playing good basketball, winning two in a row and ranked at No. 11 in the AP poll entering the matchup with the Longhorns.

Things began to unravel in the second half though, with Oklahoma falling flat in the final 11 minutes of the game. Texas was able to pull ahead and never looked back, earning a huge win of their own. A tough loss for Moser to swallow and one he takes full responsibility for.

“I’m disappointed,” Moser said. “The fans were awesome. I worked my ass off to get people in here and that’s on me. That’s on me. We’re thinking about the race this year. Obviously, we didn’t play to our standards. We got to give them credit but it starts with me. I put that team out there today and I thought we were ready.

“We looked tired in the second half and I got to give them credit. Because I thought they made some crucial, key baskets in a seven, eight-minute stretch. They got separation.”