this is a must win for OU and the rest of the league

[coolm]

someone has to stop this domination by Kansas. This Kansas team isnt even that good.

 

[sperry]

someone has to stop this domination by Kansas. This Kansas team isnt even that good.

Agreed. We lose this one and a one seed is probably off the table. We would also probably lose the chance to play in OKC because Kansas would end up there.

 

[Zimwillett]

Agreed. We lose this one and a one seed is probably off the table. We would also probably lose the chance to play in OKC because Kansas would end up there.

So much wrong with this post. OU would still have a great shot at a #1 seed even with a loss to KU. Not only is there historical precedent for this (2003 OU lost to Texas in Norman and both still wound up #1 seeds), but look at what's going on in college basketball. I expect there will be a #1 seed with as many as 6 losses.

As for tournament locations, there is also Des Moines and St. Louis for KU. Fret not. OU is nearly certain to play in OKC, even if they wind up as a 2 or 3 seed. It's possible even if they're a #4, but not as certain.

 

[OUSKINS]

So much wrong with this post. OU would still have a great shot at a #1 seed even with a loss to KU. Not only is there historical precedent for this (2003 OU lost to Texas in Norman and both still wound up #1 seeds), but look at what's going on in college basketball. I expect there will be a #1 seed with as many as 6 losses.

As for tournament locations, there is also Des Moines and St. Louis for KU. Fret not. OU is nearly certain to play in OKC, even if they wind up as a 2 or 3 seed. It's possible even if they're a #4, but not as certain.

Yep, OU is basically a lock for OKC.... they would have to completely choke down the stretch in order to not be seeded in OKC.

But I agree with the sentiment about how important this is for OU. I hate "must win" because I only like to use that when you are no longer able to accomplish your goals if you lose; but I do think this is pretty close. It's going to be hard to call this is a great season if we don't win the B12 and get swept by KU. This is a huge game for the Sooners. Much bigger than it is for KU.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Agree that this is huge for the league race, obviously. It would be tough to see OU winning the title if they fall a game back of KU and West Virginia this late in the season. And I despise KU and always want to see OU beat them in the worst way. But I don't think a loss would by any means eliminate us from a number 1 seed if we bounce back and win plenty of games the rest of the way. All the other teams in the mix will also lose games down the stretch and in their conference tourneys.

As for OKC, there are two sites closer to Lawrence than OKC -- St. Louis and Des Moines. KU will end up in one of those locations, so even if they end up ahead of OU in the committee's eyes, it will not affect OU's chances of playing in OKC.

 

[usedtobe1]

I agree on stopping the KU domination. It has to happen sometime and OU has a good chance to be the team to do it. We need to win Saturday to avoid the sweep. Then we need to either beat WVU or Texas on the road.

 

[campbest]

Agreed. We lose this one and a one seed is probably off the table. We would also probably lose the chance to play in OKC because Kansas would end up there.

This matters for the regular season crown and momentum. The items above can easily be rectified with a loss to KU.

 

[CoachTalk]

Ku is a good team. If you dont think so something is wrong.

 

[pnkranger]

To me this is not a season must win, but it's critical game for the program. Kansas has been the dominant program for so long. If OU wants to get to the next level with recruiting and national exposure, this is the type of game you HAVE to win.

 

[sperry]

You are correct that we may be slotted in OKC. I seem to remember that only 1 seeds got location preference in the past, but clearly my memory is incorrect on this one from looking at last year's bracket.

That being said, I think 1 seed is off the table if we lose. At the very least it's out of our hands, as if KU wins the Big XII crown we are out of luck.

 

[WTSooner]

Ku is a good team. If you dont think so something is wrong.

Good, but not elite. MUCH better KU teams have come through Norman in recent years, IMO.

 

[Zimwillett]

You are correct that we may be slotted in OKC. I seem to remember that only 1 seeds got location preference in the past, but clearly my memory is incorrect on this one from looking at last year's bracket.

That being said, I think 1 seed is off the table if we lose. At the very least it's out of our hands, as if KU wins the Big XII crown we are out of luck.

I still don't think that's entirely accurate. If OU loses to KU, but wins their remaining regular season games, they'll be a #1 seed regardless of whether they're the regular season champs. Further, there is plenty of historical precedent for 2 #1 seeds from the same conference (it's happened 8 times in the last 20 tournaments including OU and Texas in 2003). Lastly, look at what's going on with the other contenders for #1 seeds. We're not even to Valentine's Day, and no one in the country has fewer than 3 losses.

That's not to say this game isn't of huge importance. It absolutely is, especially with respect to the race for the Big 12 title. But OU can absolutely still get a #1 seed even if they lose.

 

[Big Old Booger]

You are correct that we may be slotted in OKC. I seem to remember that only 1 seeds got location preference in the past, but clearly my memory is incorrect on this one from looking at last year's bracket.

That being said, I think 1 seed is off the table if we lose. At the very least it's out of our hands, as if KU wins the Big XII crown we are out of luck.

I still disagree with you. We could lose tomorrow but win out and still get a 1 seed. Kansas has at least 2 more losses (at KSU and at Texas) IMO, and our games at WV and at Texas are going to be very tough to win. In short, tomorrow has little to do with a 1 seed IMO. Too much basketball left to play.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I still don't think that's entirely accurate. If OU loses to KU, but wins their remaining regular season games, they'll be a #1 seed regardless of whether they're the regular season champs. Further, there is plenty of historical precedent for 2 #1 seeds from the same conference (it's happened 8 times in the last 20 tournaments including OU and Texas in 2003). Lastly, look at what's going on with the other contenders for #1 seeds. We're not even to Valentine's Day, and no one in the country has fewer than 3 losses.

That's not to say this game isn't of huge importance. It absolutely is, especially with respect to the race for the Big 12 title. But OU can absolutely still get a #1 seed even if they lose.

You and I are on the same wavelength here. Too much basketball left to play to say whether OU is a 1 seed or not after tomorrow though a win certainly puts another feather in the cap.

 

[Sooner-Bred]

You are correct that we may be slotted in OKC. I seem to remember that only 1 seeds got location preference in the past, but clearly my memory is incorrect on this one from looking at last year's bracket.

That being said, I think 1 seed is off the table if we lose. At the very least it's out of our hands, as if KU wins the Big XII crown we are out of luck.

Top 4 seeds (16 teams total) get preference.

And 8 teams will play in OKC, from 2 different brackets.

Just because KU may get OKC, doesn't mean we won't.

In fact, we're pretty much guaranteed at this point.

 

[Larry72]

I agree with Cool that this a must win not only for the team, but also for the true fans.

 

[BoulderSooner]

You are correct that we may be slotted in OKC. I seem to remember that only 1 seeds got location preference in the past, but clearly my memory is incorrect on this one from looking at last year's bracket.

That being said, I think 1 seed is off the table if we lose. At the very least it's out of our hands, as if KU wins the Big XII crown we are out of luck.

in the committee current mock selection both OU and KU are 1 seeds ..

 

[sperry]

Hopefully it is a moot point and we take care of business tomorrow.

 

[bgrch1350]

Good, but not elite. MUCH better KU teams have come through Norman in recent years, IMO.

I think this is their best team from top to bottom that Kansas has had since their championship team. They have size, experience and depth. Perry Ellis may not end up being some NBA stud but he is one of their all time greats. They just have so many weapons.

 

[Zimwillett]

I think this is their best team from top to bottom that Kansas has had since their championship team. They have size, experience and depth. Perry Ellis may not end up being some NBA stud but he is one of their all time greats. They just have so many weapons.

This team is really good, but I thought the 2012 team with Thomas Robinson and the 2014 team with Wiggins and Embid were probably better.