OU #9 in Athlon's preseason ranking

[BigTime]

Seems pretty consistent with other publications for our Sooners

https://athlonsports.com/magazines/athlon-sports-2015-16-college-basketball-preseason-top-25

 

[pnkranger]

I don't understand the Iowa state love. I actually think OU is better than at least three of the teams ahead of it.

I predict Maryland is good but will lack experience.

 

[Larry72]

I agree. We should be better than Arizona and I State.

 

[TheGimper]

I agree. We should be better than Arizona and I State.

I definitely feel we should be better than Iowa St. in preseason polls.
OU lost:
Thomas (expected)
Booker (unexpected, but left at the end of the season)

Iowa St. lost:
BDJ (expected)
Dustin Hogue (expected)
Hoiberg (always a possibility)
Georgios Tsalmpouris (unexpected, turn pro not even a month ago)
Nick Noskowiak (unexpected, kicked off team a few weeks ago)

So with those unexpected defections late in the season, one of them being their highest rated freshman of their class and being down to 8 scholarship players for the first half of the semester (one player will be eligible in Spring) I feel like these reasons are more than enough to justify OU being placed ahead of Iowa St. in any preseason polls.

But what do I know, pretty much every ranking has Georges Niang ahead of Buddy as well.

 

[pnkranger]

I definitely feel we should be better than Iowa St. in preseason polls.
OU lost:
Thomas (expected)
Booker (unexpected, but left at the end of the season)

Iowa St. lost:
BDJ (expected)
Dustin Hogue (expected)
Hoiberg (always a possibility)
Georgios Tsalmpouris (unexpected, turn pro not even a month ago)
Nick Noskowiak (unexpected, kicked off team a few weeks ago)

So with those unexpected defections late in the season, one of them being their highest rated freshman of their class and being down to 8 scholarship players for the first half of the semester (one player will be eligible in Spring) I feel like these reasons are more than enough to justify OU being placed ahead of Iowa St. in any preseason polls.

But what do I know, pretty much every ranking has Georges Niang ahead of Buddy as well.

We're better than Iowa State this year. More experience at guard, better depth, versatility, and team defense. They will also be battling the challenges of bringing in a new coach.

I also think Maryland is overrated. We were better than them offensively and defensively last year, lost less, and gained more. They barely beat Valpo and lost to a WVU squad in the round of 32 that got manhandled the following game. They looked good at times, average at other times. They didn't do anything well enough to be a top 5 team in my opinion.

 

[CoachTalk]

Zona is going to be real good at the end of the year.

 

[pnkranger]

Zona is going to be real good at the end of the year.

Agree. So will we.