How will OU basketball honor Toby Keith on Saturday for Bedlam? Red Solo cups, of course.
NORMAN — Following OU’s 82-66 win over No. 21 BYU Tuesday night, head coach Porter Moser honored Toby Keith by raising a red Solo cup.
“I just want to say, today’s a tough day for Sooner nation,” Moser said of the legendary country music star and die-hard Sooners sports fan who died Monday night at age 62. “We lost a dear friend in Toby Keith, I heard his songs blaring in the arena. I’ve been here three years and he became a true friend of mine, he and his family.”
Keith battled stomach cancer beginning in June 2022 until his death.
More: How Toby Keith 'was all about OU and the Sooners' until his death from cancer
#Sooners coach Porter Moser raises a red solo cup for Toby Keith postgame: pic.twitter.com/4iMiHI08lY
— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) February 7, 2024
OU honored Keith ahead of its matchup against the Cougars. Athletic director Joe Castiglione stood behind the seat Keith frequented at the Lloyd Noble Center as a guitar, a Sooners cap and red solo cup occupied the spot pregame. OU’s mascots Boomer, Sooner and Top Daug repped “TK” shirts in his honor.
The Sooners also recognized him with a moment of silence after the national anthem.
When OU faces Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN+, all beverages will be served in red Solo cups, Castiglione announced on Friday.
“He is a true legend, a true friend to everybody," Moser said. "And I just want to say our guys played their hearts out for Toby Keith tonight to get this win. I know he was looking down on us tonight. … Raise your glass tonight for Toby Keith.”
More: Toby Keith broke an ankle in 1994 OU football alumni game, but Sooners fan 'was in heaven'
“How Do You Like Me Now?!” ringing through the LNC. pic.twitter.com/63ashjZebD
— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) February 7, 2024
Warm up your vocals, Sooner Nation 🎶#BoomerSooner ☝ pic.twitter.com/3iQItAqcLm
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) February 10, 2024
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU basketball set to honor Toby Keith with red Solo cups for Bedlam