Next Four Games

[pnkranger]

Are the defining moment of the regular season for us:

@OSU
West Virginia
@TCU
ISU

Come out of those games any less than 3-1, and we are climbing a BIG hill in terms of seeding and conference finish.

Go 4-0, and all of a sudden we are 8-4 and, potentially tied for 2nd or one game back of 2nd place. Down the stretch we have 3 home games and road games against TCU, Iowa State, and Kansas State.

Looking at schedules, OU, ISU, and KSU could end up tied or separated by one game. West Virginia has the toughest road in terms of number of top opponents left, (whereas we still have 3 games against TCU and Tech), but they also have their toughest games at home.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I think 4-0 is a possibility, but I'd be happy with 3-1. Starts with Saturday, if we can win that road game, it'll be a lot better. I just hope the guys play with the urgency and desperation it looked like they had last night, which resulted in a record defensive performance (although it was TTU).

 

[152219]

Anything less than 3-1 would be a significant disappointment. Snag Saturday's game and 4-0 will be a legit possibility.

And I agree. These 4 games will define OU's season in the regular season.

 

[MI Sooner]

We'll be close to a pk against OSU, I'm guessing, and 3-6 point favorites in the others. 2-2 is probably more likely than 4-0, at least based on the lines. I'll take 3-1.

 

[usedtobe1]

Not a "gimmee" in the bunch. I rank them:
- OSU is toughest win. They will be pumped and GIA is a hostile arena. Road wins against decent teams are hard to come by.
- ISU I think is best team in B12. Their post players worry me.
- WVU. We will have something to prove but their press and traps could rattle us.
- TCU. Road test. They had a 3-point shot rattle out at the buzzer last night to go to OT against KU.

 

[DapperDan]

Brutal stretch. Although looking at the schedule, its not much different than any other 4 game stretch that we have/or will have.

I really don't like the way we matchup with WVU, although it is at home. That is a 50/50 game, IMO.

Also, @OSU is a 50/50 game, IMO. Road rivalry game, anything could happen.

Obviously, we will roll TCU. And I like us to beat the Clones in LNC, we matchup well with them.

Odds are that we split the 50/50 games. I'll say we go 3-1 in that stretch losing to either WVU or @OSU. Matter of fact, I'd take 3-1 right now and just go ahead and pack our bags for KSU.

 

[BoulderSooner]

@ osu is not 50/50 .... we are the clear favorites ..

 

[scrybe]

@ osu is not 50/50 .... we are the clear favorites ..

Agreed.

And I'm not really buying the predictions that we go 3-1 – and especially not 2-2. If Kruger has finally been able to instill a sense of urgency in these kids, there's no reason we can't win all four games. We're clearly better than all four of these opponents.

 

[DapperDan]

@ osu is not 50/50 .... we are the clear favorites ..

Just because we are the better team, does not make us the "clear favorites". I think Vegas will respectfully disagree with you as well.

 

[DapperDan]

Agreed.

And I'm not really buying the predictions that we go 3-1 – and especially not 2-2. If Kruger has finally been able to instill a sense of urgency in these kids, there's no reason we can't win all four games. We're clearly better than all four of these opponents.

We are clearly better than ISU and WVU? I hope youre right, but I don't see that as of right now.

 

[j2d2]

From Isiah's remarks post Tech game, Kruger is emphasing defense. As long as he does that I'm confident that, even if we dont win, we will be every game at the end. We're pretty good on offense when we play good defense. Good defense seems to generate good offense.

 

[scrybe]

We are clearly better than ISU and WVU? I hope youre right, but I don't see that as of right now.

Yes, we are "clearly" better, at least I believe that to be the case. But if you're implying that we have not always played better than Iowa State and West Virginia, I cannot disagree.

 

[DapperDan]

Yes, we are "clearly" better, at least I believe that to be the case. But if you're implying that we have not always played better than Iowa State and West Virginia, I cannot disagree.

I do not think that we are better than Iowa State at this point, but I think we will beat them pretty good at home, based on matchups. But I think they have a legit shot to win the league.,

As far as WVU, I can agree that we are the better team (slightly), but we really don't matchup well with them at all. Thats why I believe it to be a 50/50 game, even at home. If we blow them out, I'll gladly eat my Crow.

 

[JBaker]

Those are 4 games that we should win.
Will we? I couldn't tell you with this team.

 

[usedtobe1]

We are clearly better than ISU and WVU? I hope youre right, but I don't see that as of right now.

Me either. I think they're toss-ups at best. WVU beat us by 21 in Morgantown with 22 TO's and 16 steals…. they overwhelmed us. I'm worried as hell when they come to Norman. Their defense is great but sometimes they can't throw a rock in the ocean.

I think ISU is 1 of the 2 best teams in the conference. Their post play with Niang, Hogue, and now McKay is really tough. DeJean-Jones is a very good guard and Fred Hoiberg is a solid coach. I would take a split against them in a heart beat.

I think saying we're "clearly better" than both teams is a bit of an overstatement.

I am encouraged that Kruger seems to be making a commitment to more free substitution so that we can maintain defensive intensity and be fresher at the end of games. I think it could pay dividends.

 

[scrybe]

I obviously hold this Sooner team in higher esteem than some of my fellow OUHoops posters.

 

[MrAnderson]

I think OU will go 6-2 in the next 8. Whether that is 3-1 and 3-1 or 2-2 and 4-0 I'm not sure. The four after the next four: @KSU, Texas, @TT, TCU I think they have a good chance to sweep. They will get a W in Manhattan.

So 10-6 going into the final week seems plausible, yeah? With an outside chance of being 11-5.

 

[DapperDan]

I obviously hold this Sooner team in higher esteem than some of my fellow OUHoops posters.

You obviously think we are clearly the best team in the conference, if you feel that we are clearly better than ISU & WVU.

ISU is arguably the best team in the conference, and are the only team currently giving KU a legit run at the title.

 

[DapperDan]

I think OU will go 6-2 in the next 8. Whether that is 3-1 and 3-1 or 2-2 and 4-0 I'm not sure. The four after the next four: @KSU, Texas, @TT, TCU I think they have a good chance to sweep. They will get a W in Manhattan.

So 10-6 going into the final week seems plausible, yeah? With an outside chance of being 11-5.

My thoughts, exactly. 9-7 going into the final week wouldnt be terrible, as long as we finish with atleast 10 or hopefully 11 wins. If that happens, we are likely a top 4 seed, regardless of our performance in the Big 12 Championship.

 

[oSuJeff97]

Yes, we are "clearly" better, at least I believe that to be the case. But if you're implying that we have not always played better than Iowa State and West Virginia, I cannot disagree.

Well at some point you are who your record says you are.

So you can think that you're "clearly better" or "playing better" than certain teams, but if you continue to lose to them.... are you?