The Oklahoma University Sooners can look forward to more than just a new conference this season, the men’s basketball team will also prepare to play in style as they enjoy an updated locker room space.
Recently showcased on social media, the new men’s basketball locker room now features a bold, backlight SEC logo alongside the classic “OU.”
However, updated branding isn’t the only change coming to this space. It is only one piece of the Basketball Facility Project, first approved in May 2022. All 13,400 square feet of the Lloyd Noble Center team suite has been modernized and updated.
The renovation has three main components: the team suite, the coaches suite and the recovery center. Some of the key updates included expanded recovery spaces, modernized locker rooms, hall-of-fame-style alumni decorations and enhanced player development spaces.
Built for more 📈#OUxSEC | #ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/E6D9w6N90x
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) July 1, 2024
“A world-class facility helps our staff recruit the best talent from across the nation to come to Oklahoma. The Griffin Performance Center has been a tremendous asset to develop our student-athletes to become elite. These facility improvements will continue to elevate our program to championship level,” said Porter Moser, men’s basketball head coach.
It is an era of college sports where the locker room is more than a locker room. It is a space for the team to build community, decompress, study and prepare for game day. In the Sooner’s new space in particular, they’ve added theater-style seating, endless branding, a fueling station and even hydrotherapy baths all circling the central locker space.
The Oklahoma men’s basketball team has not made an NCAA tournament appearance in three years. According to Oklahoma Sooners News, they’ll be looking to “get back on a similar path once they enter the SEC this season. Featuring new opponents, venues and rivalries, there will be no shortage of excitement for Oklahoma fans in 2024.”
Oklahoma University isn’t entering the SEC alone, notable rival University of Texas is also entering the SEC fold. When these opponents finally face off again, will the Sooner’s updated locker room contribute to their competitive edge?
