Road doesn't get easier for Sooners in tough Big 12 stretch

[OUHoops]

http://newsok.com/road-doesnt-get-easier-for-sooners-in-tough-big-12-stretch/article/3749732

 

[5hrenergy]

Here's the deal, people are going to be disappointed if this team falls short of the NCAA's and I understand, but strides have been made. If I'm guessing today this team doesn't make it, but I really like the future of this program.

 

[badger]

I believe in miracles, and not the current Tulsa coach-type of em, either.

NCAAs or bust!

 

[DFWHoopster]

Big12 should get 5 in possibly 6. Kansas, Baylor, KSU, Oklahoma, OSU and ISU.

Right now, ISU is at a disadvantage because they lost a game on the road to Texas Tech. ISU has only one good non-conference win (BYU).

 

[scrybe]

I believe in miracles too, but I don't think there's any way the Big XII gets six teams into the tournament. The current part of our schedule really IS a killer, but I've got to believe we will win at either Baylor (very difficult) or Iowa State (still difficult, but lesser so). If we can pull off a surprise in one of those games – and beat K-State when the Wildcats come to Norman (which I believe we'll do) – then I'm thinking we can start shopping for dancing shoes.

 

[badger]

there's any way the Big XII gets six teams into the tournament

Here's your way: It's a down here for the major conferences. No dominant conference, no dominant team. Everyone's beatable at this point, even the chickenhawks.

 

[opsooner]

I believe in miracles too, but I don't think there's any way the Big XII gets six teams into the tournament. The current part of our schedule really IS a killer, but I've got to believe we will win at either Baylor (very difficult) or Iowa State (still difficult, but lesser so). If we can pull off a surprise in one of those games – and beat K-State when the Wildcats come to Norman (which I believe we'll do) – then I'm thinking we can start shopping for dancing shoes.

I agree. If we win 2 of the next 4 - don't care which (but agree that one of those road wins + KSU is most reasonable) then we are in very good shape for the tourney if we can hold serve at home after these 4 games. There are other possibilities to still get us in the tourney but I have doubts that we will make it through that entire gauntlet without some padding now. For no other reason, taking 2 of the next 4 would give us better crowds for the last half to help us hold serve at home in the last half.

There are certainly other possibilities but I am afraid this team might get into that funk of 6-8 point losses if we don't get a leg up now.

That said, I will give us a B- or C+ if we can make the NIT which is what I predicted before the season started. It just feels like the opportunity is there for more now if we can just reach it.

 

[slappy in OP]

This is a brutal stretch. Arguably, the most difficult schedule (as far as timing of who we play and where) of any Big 12 team. We just have to hope that this team keeps its head up, wins a game or 2, and then goes on a big run to end the season. I still think we can do it. A big barometer will be the Baylor game. It would be huge if we can get that one.