The Sooners' Crossroads: Rebuilding After a Sweet 16 Run
The 2025-2026 season may have just wrapped up, but for Oklahoma women’s basketball, the future is already knocking loudly. Jennie Baranczyk’s squad reached the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year—a feat not seen since 2010-2011—but now faces a daunting challenge: replacing the irreplaceable. Raegan Beers, Payton Verhulst, and Beatrice Culliton are gone, leaving a void that goes far beyond stats. This isn’t just about losing players; it’s about losing the heart and soul of a team that punched above its weight.
The Irreplaceable Trio: What’s Really Lost?
Let’s start with Raegan Beers. Personally, I think her departure is the most seismic shift. Beers wasn’t just a First Team All-SEC and All-American honoree; she was the anchor of Oklahoma’s offense and defense. Averaging 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds in just 24.7 minutes per game, she was a force of nature. What many people don’t realize is that her efficiency—shooting over 50% from the field—made her a matchup nightmare. Replacing her isn’t just about finding another big; it’s about finding someone who can dominate without needing 30 minutes a night.
Then there’s Payton Verhulst, whose versatility was the glue holding the team together. Her 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game don’t fully capture her impact. From my perspective, Verhulst was the player who could guard multiple positions, run the offense in a pinch, and hit clutch shots. Her size and IQ are rare, and spreading her role across multiple players next season will be a tall order.
Beatrice Culliton’s departure might seem less headline-worthy, but her role as a foul-trouble safety net for Beers was crucial. Without her, Brooklyn Stewart will have to grow up fast. Stewart showed promise as a freshman, but asking her to leap into a starting role is a lot. If you take a step back and think about it, Oklahoma’s frontcourt depth is suddenly a question mark, not a strength.
Retention: The Key to Stability in the Portal Era
The transfer portal has turned college basketball into a free-agent frenzy, and Oklahoma’s top priority this offseason is retention. Aaliyah Chavez, the ESPN Freshman of the Year, is the cornerstone of the future. Her statement that next year’s team will be “scary” is exciting, but it’s also a reminder of how fragile rosters can be. What this really suggests is that Oklahoma needs to build a culture that keeps players like Chavez, Sahara Williams, and Zya Vann from even considering other options.
Williams, in particular, is a player I’m watching closely. Her senior leadership and versatility are invaluable, especially in a rebuilding year. Vann’s sophomore breakout was impressive, but she’s still raw. If Oklahoma can keep this core together, they’ll have a foundation to build on. But in the portal era, nothing is guaranteed.
The Portal: A Double-Edged Sword
Oklahoma has thrived in the portal, landing players like Verhulst and Beers, but this offseason feels different. Adding another center is non-negotiable. The SEC is a league of giants, and Stewart alone won’t cut it. A detail that I find especially interesting is the lack of 3-point shooting on this roster. The Sooners shot just 29.2% from deep, which is abysmal for a team with Sweet 16 aspirations. Finding a sharpshooter to space the floor for Chavez and Vann should be a priority.
But here’s the catch: the portal is a seller’s market. Sharpshooting and size don’t come cheap, and Oklahoma will be competing with deeper-pocketed programs. This raises a deeper question: Can Baranczyk sell the vision of a rebuilt Oklahoma as a destination for top talent?
The X-Factors: Defense and Depth
One thing that immediately stands out is Oklahoma’s defensive struggles against elite teams. In losses to Texas, LSU, and South Carolina, the gap in athleticism was glaring. Adding a perimeter defender who can take on multiple assignments—like Kennady Tucker—would be a game-changer. Foul trouble derailed the Sooners in key moments, and having someone who can guard without fouling is critical.
Depth is another concern. Carrying just 11 players last season was a risk, and it’s paying off now with room to add. Freshman Leelee Bell is a promising addition at 6-foot-3, but she’s unproven. Vienna Murray and Sina Hollerl bring size and international experience, but they’re wildcards. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Baranczyk balances development and immediate impact. Can she turn these freshmen into contributors by next season?
The Broader Perspective: What’s at Stake?
If you take a step back and think about it, Oklahoma is at a crossroads. Baranczyk has built a program that competes nationally, but sustaining that success without Beers and Verhulst will define her legacy. The SEC is only getting tougher, and the portal has made roster construction a year-to-year gamble.
In my opinion, the Sooners’ offseason success hinges on three things: retaining Chavez and Williams, landing a game-changing transfer, and developing Stewart into a reliable starter. If they pull it off, next year’s team could indeed be “scary.” But if they miss on any of these, it could be a step-back season.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Rebuilding
Rebuilding isn’t about replacing what’s lost; it’s about reinventing what’s possible. Oklahoma has the pieces to stay competitive, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Personally, I think Baranczyk is up to the challenge. She’s proven she can recruit, develop, and coach. But this offseason will test her like never before.
What this really suggests is that the era of dominant duos like Beers and Verhulst is over. The future of college basketball is about depth, versatility, and adaptability. Oklahoma’s ability to embrace this new reality will determine whether they’re a Sweet 16 staple or a one-hit wonder.
As the transfer portal opens on April 6, all eyes will be on Norman. Will the Sooners rise to the occasion, or will they be left behind? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: this offseason will shape Oklahoma’s trajectory for years to come.
