Report: OSU and Oklahoma Have Finalized Contract for Bedlam Hoops Meeting in OKC

The Bedlam drought didn’t last long, or at all.

According to a report from college hoops insider Jon Rothstein, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have finalized a deal to play Bedlam on Dec. 14. at a neutral location in Oklahoma City.

Sources: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have finalized a contract to play the annual “BEDLAM” game on December 14th in Oklahoma City. https://t.co/nkPq2qUgZx

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 22, 2024

This jives with what first-year OSU head coach Steve Lutz said in June when he was asked about a previous report that the two teams were in talks to reestablish the rivalry.

“It’s going to be the middle of December. I don’t remember the exact date. It’s going to happen from everything that I’ve been told. It’s going to be at Paycom Arena,” said Lutz. …

“[Oklahoma head coach] Porter [Moser] and I have talked about it last week. I just haven’t seen a contract, so I don’t anticipate there being any snags with it, but until you have a contract signed I don’t think anything is ever definite.”

The report is good news for fans of the in-state rivalry after the Bedlam series across all sports but wrestling were put into question with Oklahoma’s move to the SEC.

Lutz may have not coached in a Bedlam yet, but his predecessor Mike Boynton had plenty of success, going 9-7 against the Sooners. OSU is down 143-106 against OU all-time in men’s basketball.

Regardless, Lutz recognized just how important a competitive in-state rivalry can be to a fanbase.

“Well, let’s just be honest, Cowboys don’t like Sooners,” Lutz said. “… It’s great for our state. Everybody wants to be able to say, ‘Hey, this is the year that we beat the Sooners in basketball and football and on the down the line.’ So it’s bragging rights and everything that comes with it.”