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OU head coach Porter Moser pays tribute to Toby Keith

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•02/06/24•

BPrzybylo

Porter Moser15
OU head coach Porter Moser pays tribute to Toby Keith. (Bob Przybylo - SoonerScoop/On3).

There was someone missing at the Lloyd Noble Center on Tuesday night as an OU basketball game just doesn’t feel the same without Toby Keith. His presence is always felt at the LNC.

A longtime supporter of everything Sooner hoops, Keith died Monday evening. It was a day of tributes galore from anybody with OU ties, past and present. Everybody had something to say about Keith.

And after the much-needed 82-66 win for OU against BYU, head coach Porter Moser started with a tribute. That included a Red Solo Cup.

“Today’s a tough day for Sooner nation. We lost a dear friend in Toby Keith,” Moser said. “I heard his songs blaring in the arena. I’ve been here three years and he became a true friend of mine with him and his family. He is everything you want to be about. He’s Sooner nation.

“And to all his friends around the country, in the music industry, in the sports world, friends and all different things, today we raise a glass to Toby Keith. I wish there was something different than water in this glass right now because he is a true legend, a true friend to everybody. And I just want to say our guys played their hearts out for Toby Keith tonight to get this win and I know he was looking down on us tonight. So to everyone who hears this around Sooner Nation, friends all across the country, raise your glass tonight to Toby Keith.”

OU paid tribute to Keith before the game. There was a moment of silence, and then there was also a seat reserved on the baseline where Keith always sat. You had a guitar, an OU hat and, yep, a Red Solo Cup.

OU 82, BYU 66

The win is the biggest of the season for the Sooners. BYU entered No. 7 in the NET rankings. An emotional day and night for all involved, but OU got the job done. The Sooners are now 17-6 overall and 5-5 in the Big 12.

Javian McCollum had 21 points, and Milos Uzan added 16 to get back on track.

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