Both the men's and women's basketball teams had recently won the Big 12 conference tournament, and nine of OU's 20 programs were ranked in the top 10.

Oklahoma Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione will retire from his full-time role in the upcoming school year, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel. Once a new athletic director is hired, Castiglione will remain with the athletic department in an "emeritus" role, where he will serve as an advisor to the athletic department.