Thinking back to that season, it is a perfect example of why I disagree with those claiming the Big 12 is having one of our best years.
I don't really care how good the bottom of the league is. That is a weak argument. That is what the SEC uses in football to try and put their conference on top. Our 10th best team can beat your 10th best team. Who cares? If your 10th best team, or our 10th best team, can't beat any of the top 2-3 in either league, it's a moot point.
I didn't realize this, but OU didn't even finish in 2nd place in the Big 12 in 2002. Nope, we finished 3rd, a game behind UT. The top of that league was RIDICULOUS that year. OU. KU. UT. OSU was pretty good. Mizzou made the Elite 8, only to be knocked out by OU.
I would much rather have to fight thru this year's Big 12, than that year's. This OU team probably finishes 5th, at best, in that 2002 Big 12. Tough league that year.