Sophomore Class

[skyvue]

I have long argued that the conference tournament holds special significance because tournaments are how champions are crowned in basketball.

For major conferences, conference tourneys are about money and nothing else (except perhaps sneaking another conference team into the tourney, though that will often put another conference team at risk of falling out). For mid-majors and below, they're about making the tourney.

Regular season championships are what any sensible fan cares about (and yes, I'm aware that OU doesn't have many of those, either) because they are earned over the course of eight or nine weeks of consistently good play. Conference tourneys can be won by a so-so team on three-day hot streak.

 

[thebigabd]

For major conferences, conference tourneys are about money and nothing else (except perhaps sneaking another conference team into the tourney, though that will often put another conference team at risk of falling out). For mid-majors and below, they're about making the tourney.

Regular season championships are what any sensible fan cares about (and yes, I'm aware that OU doesn't have many of those, either) because they are earned over the course of eight or nine weeks of consistently good play. Conference tourneys can be won by a so-so team on three-day hot streak.

That's ridiculous, and you don't translate the same logic to the national championship. The NCAA Tournament does not always crown the best team for the exact reasons you stated, yet, winning is the pinnacle of achievement. You are considered the NATIONAL CHAMPION whether you were the best team that year or not.

Regular season games are also impacted by a number of variables that sway who the best team is... such as home courts, luck in scheduling, home cooking from officials, random explosions by crap teams on their home court, etc.

Having the best regular season record is a great thing.... But to crown someone a champion based on that record isn't done ANYWHERE, in ANY sport.

The best regular season record in the NBA wins you nothing.
The best regular season record in the NFL wins you nothing.
The best regular season record in college basketball wins you nothing.
The best regular season record in the NHL, MLB, MLS, etc win you nothing.

In the NBA, you have to win the playoffs. In the NFL, same thing. To win the college football championship, you have to win the national championship game in a playoff. Etc.

Only in this ONE instance are fans, for whatever reason, trying to assign a championship to someone based on their overall record. It's completely absurd and without equal.

I originally thought it was something the Kansas' of the world cooked up to reward themselves for when they didn't win the tournament.

 

[WichitaSooner]

That's ridiculous, and you don't translate the same logic to the national championship. The NCAA Tournament does not always crown the best team for the exact reasons you stated, yet, winning is the pinnacle of achievement. You are considered the NATIONAL CHAMPION whether you were the best team that year or not.

Regular season games are also impacted by a number of variables that sway who the best team is... such as home courts, luck in scheduling, home cooking from officials, random explosions by crap teams on their home court, etc.

Having the best regular season record is a great thing.... But to crown someone a champion based on that record isn't done ANYWHERE, in ANY sport.

The best regular season record in the NBA wins you nothing.
The best regular season record in the NFL wins you nothing.
The best regular season record in college basketball wins you nothing.
The best regular season record in the NHL, MLB, MLS, etc win you nothing.

In the NBA, you have to win the playoffs. In the NFL, same thing. To win the college football championship, you have to win the national championship game in a playoff. Etc.

Only in this ONE instance are fans, for whatever reason, trying to assign a championship to someone based on their overall record. It's completely absurd and without equal.

I originally thought it was something the Kansas' of the world cooked up to reward themselves for when they didn't win the tournament.

This is a laughable position. No one who understands sports would think that a three day tournament is more important than a season long accomplishment. As sky noted, for low majors and one-bid leagues, yes, the conference tournament is more important. But if you asked every coach in a power five conference whether they would rather win the regular season title or the conference tourney, it would truly be a unanimous vote in favor of the former.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Check to see how many programs have been to the NCAA tourney at least seven out of the past eight seasons (I'm counting last year's tourney that didn't happen, because OU was going to be in it).

And then go through and see how many of those teams played the level of non-conference foes that Coach Kruger has consistently scheduled. Eliminate those who didn't.

Then go through and see how many of the remaining teams played in a top 3 conference year in and year out. Eliminate the ones who didn't.

Next, eliminate those teams who didn't make the Sweet Sixteen.

And then, eliminate those teams that didn't make it to the Final Four. Your list will now be very short.

Finally, check the dictionary for its definition of "average" ("below average" is not even worthy of a response).

Losing the same amount of games that you win is average lot solid

 

[hoopsaustin]

This is a laughable position. No one who understands sports would think that a three day tournament is more important than a season long accomplishment. As sky noted, for low majors and one-bid leagues, yes, the conference tournament is more important. But if you asked every coach in a power five conference whether they would rather win the regular season title or the conference tourney, it would truly be a unanimous vote in favor of the former.

I prefer to win reg season, conf tourney, and natty..

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Yeah I’ve always preferred a regular season champ to the conference tournament champ

 

[vbdad]

I will say I dont think retirement is too far off.

I agree.

 

[BCSooners]

You have a different definition of solid. I’d save average to below average

Lol tell that to the 80% of P5 teams who’d swap the past 8 years with OU.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Lol tell that to the 80% of P5 teams who’d swap the past 8 years with OU.

80% of power 5 teams would want to finish with a losing conference record?
I don't think so

I'm done with this topic...it isn't constructive anymore. I think a change has been needed for awhile now. Y'all don't. Just know that OU is missing out on trying to regain fans during the next few years when the Thunder will be tanking. Keeping the status quo will continue to result in the status quo of fan support. We are a middle of the road team under kruger and will continue to be so

 

[BCSooners]

80% of power 5 teams would want to finish with a losing conference record?
I don't think so

I'm done with this topic...it isn't constructive anymore. I think a change has been needed for awhile now. Y'all don't. Just know that OU is missing out on trying to regain fans during the next few years when the Thunder will be tanking. Keeping the status quo will continue to result in the status quo of fan support. We are a middle of the road team under kruger and will continue to be so

80% of P5 teams would like a FF, SS, & make the tournament 7 of 8 years.