Scott Sutton quote on OU

[OUHoops]

Hope he's right:

On Oklahoma being picked to finish tied for ninth in the Big 12:
“I think they’re better than that. Again, this is my opinion. It’s going to be hard to finish ahead of some of those teams because of how talented they are. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished right in the middle of the pack or sneak up to fourth or fifth. I think (Lon Kruger’s) done a great job. They play extremely hard. I think they understand their roles. They have some weapons. They need to continue to develop their bench, but C.J. (Washington) came in and played great.”

 

[DenverSooner]

Hope he's right:

On Oklahoma being picked to finish tied for ninth in the Big 12:
“I think they’re better than that. Again, this is my opinion. It’s going to be hard to finish ahead of some of those teams because of how talented they are. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished right in the middle of the pack or sneak up to fourth or fifth. I think (Lon Kruger’s) done a great job. They play extremely hard. I think they understand their roles. They have some weapons. They need to continue to develop their bench, but C.J. (Washington) came in and played great.”

I hope he is correct. If OU finishes fourth in the conference they will be in the NCAA Tournament. If they finish 6th or 7th they will be an NIT team. Either of those things would be really good for this team. The extra games and practice will pay dividends next season.

I honestly think OU has a chance to be a solid team next year. Grooms, Pledger, Clark, OSby, M'Baye and Fitzgerald are going to be a very good 6 man rotation. Honestly, I don't think there will be many teams that are better. Neal and Blair will be capable to provide minutes off the bench. If Hield, Hornbeak or Henry can be a scorer off the bench, OU will be a pretty darn good team. I am not suggesting they will be a Top 10 team but I really think they will have the chance to be close, especially if someone can be a designated 3 point shooter off the bench.

 

[badger]

I am reading this as code for "better than Oklahoma State," because Oral Roberts played in a Stillwater tournament. As I am now subjected to paying attention to OSU's team more than I would have been otherwise (long story short, I lost a Bedlam bet), I am seeing them as an extremely poor shooting team that lucks into victory against mediocre opponents.

 

[DenverSooner]

Lets, for the sake of argument, say OU is better than OSU and Tech. Who else is or could OU be better than?

I would argue OU has a chance to be better than A&M, ISU and KSU. If Texas struggles, possibly Texas. I don't think OU can out perform Kansas, Baylor and probably Missouri.

If OU can finish 6th I think that is an NIT team. 5th is close and will depend how the conference does and how good KU and Baylor are. 4th is an NCAA team.

If Kruger makes the NCAA tournament, he will be in consideration for coach of the year. He might not get it but he will be mentioned.

 

[pnkranger]

Better than OU:
Kansas
Baylor
Missouri

Who Knows:
OSU
Texas
Iowa State
Kansas State

Not Better than OU:
Tech
A&M

Coaching means we'll finish at least 6th in this league this year.


Lets, for the sake of argument, say OU is better than OSU and Tech. Who else is or could OU be better than?

I would argue OU has a chance to be better than A&M, ISU and KSU. If Texas struggles, possibly Texas. I don't think OU can out perform Kansas, Baylor and probably Missouri.

If OU can finish 6th I think that is an NIT team. 5th is close and will depend how the conference does and how good KU and Baylor are. 4th is an NCAA team.

If Kruger makes the NCAA tournament, he will be in consideration for coach of the year. He might not get it but he will be mentioned.

 

[Sam]

You really think A&M is not better than OU?

You do realize they've been playing without their best player who is just now coming back from injury?

They're likely the fourth tournament team in the Big 12.

 

[AdaSooner]

I have seen OSU and Tech play twice on television. IMO, OU is further along, and better, than either of those teams right now. That may change by the time we play them in conference. But, as of now, I think we have a good shot at a sweep of both schools.

With every conference team on our schedule a home and home this season, we may have to settle for a possible home court win against schools like KSU, ISU, Texas and ATM. I haven't been all that impressed with KU, so who knows how that home game will turn out? Baylor and Missouri may be more than OU can handle, even at home.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not willing to concede a loss to any team we play. This OU team has already demonstrated a mental toughness and determination I didn't expect this early in the season. So, anything can happen if they continue to improve.

 

[garyeb2]

I'm not sure exactly how it might be parsed up. But, 8-10 would be a huge overacheiving conferce record this year.

 

[DenverSooner]

I have seen OSU and Tech play twice on television. IMO, OU is further along, and better, than either of those teams right now. That may change by the time we play them in conference. But, as of now, I think we have a good shot at a sweep of both schools.

With every conference team on our schedule a home and home this season, we may have to settle for a possible home court win against schools like KSU, ISU, Texas and ATM. I haven't been all that impressed with KU, so who knows how that home game will turn out? Baylor and Missouri may be more than OU can handle, even at home.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not willing to concede a loss to any team we play. This OU team has already demonstrated a mental toughness and determination I didn't expect this early in the season. So, anything can happen if they continue to improve.

That alone is 4 conference wins. One other road game and 5-2 at home against everyone else means a 10-8 conference record. That is an NCAA team. I am not saying that will happen but that would be an NCAA team.

 

[AdaSooner]

That alone is 4 conference wins. One other road game and 5-2 at home against everyone else means a 10-8 conference record. That is an NCAA team. I am not saying that will happen but that would be an NCAA team.

Yes, but I believe that one other road win and a 5-2 record at home against everyone else will be a tough hill to climb for this team.

Sure hope I'm wrong. I think we'll know more after our first four conference games. OU hits the road right out of the gate against Mizzou in Columbia, followed by KU at home, OSU in Stillwater and another home game against K-State. I'll be very happy if we can come out of a very difficult first four outings with a 2-2 record. By the end of that four-game stretch, though, we should have a pretty good idea about how good and how mentally tough this Sooner team will be in conference play.