OKLAHOMA CITY - The Texas Wesleyan University Rams are making the short trip north to Oklahoma City for the 2026 Sooner Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament presented by Athletic Solutions — and they're arriving as a dangerous No. 5 seed with serious upset potential.
Season Recap: Head coach Brian Wanamaker's squad finished the 2025-26 regular season at
19-8 overall and
15-7 in SAC play (tied for fourth in the league). That record includes a rock-solid road mark of 9-4 and a +4.8 scoring margin in conference games. The Rams have been especially stout on defense, ranking second in the SAC by allowing just
70.8 points per game. Offensively, they've shown balance and efficiency, blending inside scoring with perimeter threats.
Seeding & First-Round Match-up The bracket is set at Abe Lemons Arena on the Oklahoma City University campus (February 25-28).
- Wednesday, February 25 – Quarterfinals at 2:00 p.m. – #4 Oklahoma City Stars vs. #5 Texas Wesleyan Rams
The Rams and Stars split their two regular-season meetings, so expect a physical, back-and-forth battle. Oklahoma City (18-10, 15-7 SAC) will have the home crowd behind them, but TXWES' experience and defensive identity make this a true 50/50 coin-flip game that could swing on a few key possessions.
Key Players & Roster Strengths This is one of the most veteran and physically imposing rosters in the conference:
The Rams bring NAIA championship pedigree (2017 national title still fresh in program lore) and a roster full of players who have competed at the Division I/II level. That experience should shine in a single-elimination environment.
Path Forward A win on Wednesday likely sets up a semifinal match-up against the winner of Np. 1 seed Nelson (24-4, 19-3 SAC)vs. No. 8 seed University of Science & Arts contest, with Nelson the clear favorite after winning the regular-season title for the second straight year. Except, the Rams have already shown they can compete with the top teams; now it's about sustaining that effort over three days in OKC.
How to Follow the Rams
- Live Stream: Watch all Game HERE.
- Tickets: Buy tickets to all sessions HERE.
