On Wednesday night, the Oklahoma Sooners had one of their last chances to improve their situation before March Madness. This time, they had an advantage, too, playing on their home court. But the Wildcats wouldn’t let them have it. The No. 17 team in the AP Top 25 flipped the script, securing an 83-82 victory. A thrilling game? Definitely. But it wasn’t just the game that had spectators on the edge of their seats.

As the Kentucky players left the court, the hostility of OU fans escalated. All eyes were on Brandon Garrison, an Oklahoma native who transferred to Kentucky from Oklahoma State. Within moments, a beer can flew through the air, nearly striking him in the head. The incident, caught on camera by some fans, immediately raised concerns about fan behavior at Oklahoma’s home court.

Fortunately, the university wasted no time addressing the incident. In a strongly worded statement, Oklahoma Athletics made it clear that such actions would not be tolerated.

“We are aware of an incident that occurred following last night’s men’s basketball contest against Kentucky involving the throwing of a beverage can toward players. We are closely reviewing all available footage and are working to identify involved parties. We are also in communication with the Southeastern Conference. Anyone with information regarding the incident should provide that by emailing oah@ou.edu.”

The statement also included an apology to Kentucky players, coaches, and fans, reinforcing that Oklahoma does not condone such behavior.

But let’s be honest—the beer incident didn’t happen out of nowhere. The tension inside Lloyd Noble Center was palpable before the game even tipped off.

Despite early hits, Kentucky Wildcats continued their dominance

When Kentucky players walked onto the court, especially former Oklahoma athletes Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison, they were met with a hostile reception. The crowd booed throughout the game, making their feelings clear. But despite the noise, both players kept their composure.

Oweh finished with 28 points. What impressive? Well, he had just five points in the first half—then exploded for 23 in the second. It ticked off the home crowd, earning a few ‘traitor’ comments as he stood at the free-throw line.

His clutch plays helped Kentucky secure the win, but he wasn’t alone. Garrison also contributed, scoring 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Combined, the two stars put up 40 points. But was this just about the frustration of losing a game? Not really.

While Garrison is an Oklahoma native, Oweh played for the state’s flagship school for nearly two years. When they stepped onto the court, it was the first time the Sooner crowd saw them wearing blue uniforms with “Kentucky” printed on them.

As they walked off, so did the fans’ hopes. They knew that without Oweh and Garrison, the Wildcats would have likely left with another loss. Meanwhile, the Sooners are already on the NCAA Tournament bubble. They haven’t made it to March Madness since 2020, a year when current Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves led them.

That’s why head coach Porter Moser has been under fire for the team’s inability to make the tournament. But the real problem? Oklahoma lacks investment in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals. On the other hand, the Wildcats, who have embraced NIL, now stand seventh in the SEC with a 19-9 overall record. Before their March Madness run, they have three games left—two against ranked opponents.

Has Sooner Nation learned its lesson?