NORMAN — Porter Moser says he isn't going anywhere.

The OU men's basketball head coach's name has been connected to the soon-to-be vacant coaching position at Notre Dame. The job is held by Mike Brey, who recently announced his plan to step down at the end of this season.

The Moser-Notre Dame possibility has been the topic of speculation in the basketball world. Last week, a Twitter account with a large following named Coaching Changes claimed the two parties have "high mutual interest."

But Moser made his stance clear Monday by commenting on the rumors for the first time.

"I have no interest," Moser said. "I can say, unequivocally, that’s a false report saying I pursued it. Unequivocally. And nor do I want to. I’m home."

Moser's fit with Notre Dame makes sense on paper.

Moser grew up in Naperville, Illinois, which is about a two-hour drive from Notre Dame's campus in Notre Dame, Indiana. He had success in the area, leading Loyola Chicago to the 2018 NCAA Tournament's Final Four.

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Notre Dame is also a Catholic university, and Moser is a devout Catholic.

It isn't hard to see why Moser's name would be connected to the opening, but the second-year OU head coach claims he's content in Norman.

"I’m a Catholic kid from Chicago," Moser said. "I have a lot of respect for that university. With that said, I have no interest. ... Oklahoma is my home. The Sooners are my home."

Moser remains focused on turning OU's season around.

The Sooners (12-13, 2-10 Big 12) have lost their last seven conference games and are projected to miss the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season under Moser's leadership.

OU hosts 12th-ranked Kansas State at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

"I’m in the beginning process of turning a program around," Moser said. "I’m so committed. ... There’s nothing that has wavered on the vision of where I want to go with this program. I hope that's clear."

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Growing pains

Milos Uzan tried to make a play.

OU trailed then-ninth-ranked Kansas late in the first half of Saturday’s contest when Uzan dribbled into the paint. The freshman surveyed the floor for an open teammate, but the ball bounced off his foot and went out of bounds.

Otega Oweh tried to make a play for the Sooners on their next possession. The fellow freshman attempted to throw a lob to Tanner Groves, but it got deflected and ended up in the hands of Kansas’ Jalen Wilson.

OU ultimately suffered a 78-55 loss to Kansas in a game where Uzan and Oweh combined for nine turnovers.

It was a rough outing for the two freshmen, who have been thrown into the fire this season. They’re the first freshman duo to start for OU since Trae Young and Brady Manek in 2018.

“I know we're pouring into some young guys,” Moser said after the loss. “You're gonna live with some young mistakes, especially against a team like (Kansas) that makes you pay.”

Despite their recent struggles, Uzan and Oweh have been trusted with starting roles for good reason.

Uzan is a strong facilitator who can help on the glass and disrupt passing lanes on defense.

The 6-foot-4 guard’s biggest hurdle is becoming an efficient scorer. He’s averaging seven points on 30.2% shooting from the floor in OU’s last seven games.

“We’re pouring into a young guy who has the ball in his hands a lot,” Moser said of Uzan. “He’s going through an unforgiving league as a true freshman. He’s logging a lot of minutes. … But I’m pouring into him.”

Oweh has also shown flashes of potential.

The 6-5, 210-pound guard already boasts the body of an upperclassman. He’s a stout defender who’s averaging a team-high 1.1 steals in just 9.9 minutes per game.

Oweh must also improve his game on offense. His effective shooting percentage of 44.2% is the third-lowest percentage on the team, and he has committed an average of three turnovers in his two starts.

"Sometimes as a freshman, especially when you start playing, things are sped up,” Moser said. “He can really go downhill. He can draw fouls. … He's gotta learn to change speeds.”

Uzan and Oweh will face another test Tuesday when OU hosts a veteran Kansas State team.

The Wildcats’ players have an average of 2.8 years of Division I experience, which ranks 30th in the nation.

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Kansas State's dynamic duo of Keyontae Johnson, Markquis Nowell

OU is tasked with containing one of the best duos in the nation Tuesday.

Kansas State (19-6, 7-5 Big 12) is led by Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell.

Johnson is a Florida transfer who's averaging team-highs of 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds. The 6-6, 230-pound forward can score from all three levels, and his elite strength makes him a tough one-on-one assignment.

"Keyontae Johnson could be up for National Player of the Year, not just Conference Player of the Year," Moser said. "He's so powerful. He can shoot it, can post you up, can iso drive you. Just phenomenal, that addition."

Nowell has the opposite body build.

The 5-8, 160-pound guard is at a size disadvantage on a nightly basis, but he's the engine for Kansas State's offense. Nowell is averaging 16.9 points and a team-high 7.6 assists, and he doesn't shy away from facing bigger opponents.

"I think he's special," Moser said. "With his size, you've got to be tough as nails. And he is. ... He can score and he can distribute. He keeps the ball going and he finds a way defensively."

OU vs. Kansas State

TIPOFF: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman (ESPNU)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma basketball coach Porter Moser addresses Notre Dame opening