If you're asking what time does OU Sooners play today, you’re probably looking for the basketball score or wondering if you missed the tip-off at the Lloyd Noble Center. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the schedule is actually pretty packed across different sports.
Honestly, the biggest game of the day just wrapped up, and it was a total heartbreaker for the Crimson and Cream.
The Oklahoma men’s basketball team took on No. 18 Alabama right at noon CT. If you were hoping to catch it this evening, you've unfortunately missed the live action. It was a high-stakes SEC showdown that lived up to the hype, even if the result wasn't what Norman wanted to see.
The Men's Basketball Result: OU vs. Alabama
The Sooners (11-7, 1-4 SEC) were desperate for a win to steady the ship in a brutal conference stretch. They had Alabama on the ropes, too. At halftime, Oklahoma was actually up by 11 points, leading 44-33. The energy in the Lloyd Noble Center was electric.
Then the second half happened.
Alabama’s Aiden Sherrell and Labron Philon Jr. went on a tear. The Crimson Tide outscored the Sooners 50-37 in the final twenty minutes. OU had a chance to win it at the buzzer—a decent look at a three-pointer—but it just didn't fall. Final score: Alabama 83, Oklahoma 81.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. Porter Moser’s squad has now dropped a few close ones in a row, including that cold stretch at Texas A&M and the loss to Florida.
What Time Does OU Sooners Play Today: Other Sports
While the men’s hoops game is over, the university has other athletes competing today. If you are a fan of "stick-it" landings, the men's gymnastics team is in action tonight.
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- Men’s Gymnastics: The Sooners are competing in the Rocky Mountain Open in Colorado Springs.
- Time: 7:00 PM CT.
- Opponents: They are facing a field that includes Stanford, Nebraska, Arizona State, and Air Force.
It's a big deal for the gym warriors. They've been looking strong after the Red/White intrasquad meet back in December, and this is a major early-season litmus test.
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow (Sunday, Jan 18)
If you missed today’s basketball, don't worry. The women’s team has a massive game tomorrow that you'll definitely want to see.
No. 13 Oklahoma is hosting No. 6 LSU. That game tips off at 2:00 PM CT on Sunday at the Lloyd Noble Center. It’s going to be broadcast on ESPN2. After LSU's win over Texas recently, they are coming in hot, so the Sooners will need every bit of that home-court advantage.
Where to Watch and Listen
For those catching the gymnastics tonight or looking for replays of the basketball game, here is the breakdown:
- TV/Streaming: Most basketball games are on SEC Network or ESPN2. The gymnastics meet tonight is typically covered via local regional streams or through the host school's athletic site.
- Radio: The Sooner Sports Network remains the go-to for live play-by-play.
- Tickets: If you're in Norman, the women's game tomorrow is expected to be near capacity, so check the secondary markets early.
Basically, the "main" event for today—the men’s basketball game—started at noon and ended with a narrow loss. But the sports day isn't over if you follow the gymnasts.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the men's game is finished, you should focus on the Sunday matchup.
Set your DVR for 2:00 PM CT tomorrow for the OU vs. LSU women’s game on ESPN2. It’s arguably the best matchup in the country this weekend. Also, keep an eye on the final scores from Colorado Springs tonight to see if the men’s gymnastics team can pull off a victory against Stanford.