Predicting out OU men's basketball remaining schedule and postseason hopes
Oklahoma men's basketball currently sits at 13-7 overall and 3-5 in conference play. With an eye on exceeding everyone's expectations, aside from their own of course, we thought now would be as good a time as any to take a look at the Sooners remaining schedule. Nothing real scientific here, just a simple practice of predicting the possible wins and losses to see where OU might stand at the end of the regular season.
2/1 @ Kansas - As much as I want to say OU could catch KU sleeping, I just don't see it happening. I have to put this one down as a loss. Predicted record: 13-8, 3-6
2/4 vs. Iowa State - This one won't be easy, ISU is no joke when they're on. The Mayor will bring a talented squad to Norman, but I think OU can pull out a close one here. Predicted record: 14-8, 4-6
2/6 vs. Missouri - OU will have plenty of motivation in this game after getting absolutely embarrassed in Columbia. I think OU keeps it much closer than the first match up, but still can't beat the Tigers. Predicted record: 14-9, 4-7
2/11 @ Texas Tech - Absolute must win game. I could see this one being much more difficult than it should be, but I'm still gonna say OU gets the sweep on Tech. Predicted record: 15-9, 5-7
2/14 vs. Texas - Texas is really talented, but they're also really young and inconsistent. At home, I think OU gets them. Predicted record: 16-9, 6-7
2/18 @ Iowa State - KU won't be the only team to travel to Ames and struggle, I've got OU losing this one but this is one of those games they're expected to lose that they could steal. Predicted record: 16-10, 6-8
2/22 vs. Okie State - Again, another game OU should have no trouble getting up for after losing in Stoolwater. OU finally puts a W on the board in the Bedlam series this year. Predicted record: 17-10, 7-8
2/25 @ Baylor - Unless Perry Jones is ruled ineligible again this year, I just think Baylor is too talented. Sooners lose on the road again. Predicted record: 17-11, 7-9
2/29 @ Texas - OU splits the series with the Horns as each team wins on their home court. Predicted record: 17-12, 7-10
3/3 vs. Texas A&M - In the regular season finale, I think OU closes things out with a victory. Predicted record: 18-12, 8-10
At 18-12 and a 8-10 conference record, call me crazy but I think that's enough to get them into a postseason tournament. It won't be one that, in a normal year, we should necessarily be proud of but given where the expectations were before this season started it would be a significant accomplishment. Not to mention a massive building block for Kruger and his ability to sell this program to prospective recruits.
Outside of the Mizzou game because I just think they're too good for this OU team, I think it's fair to say every home game is pretty much a must win if they want to make the postseason. They also can't lose on the road at Tech. It sounds odd, but if the schedule plays out as we have it above I think that one game would determine whether or not they make a postseason tournament. That would be a horrible loss and possibly Tech's only conference win and that's not a distinction you want to have on your resume. Winning one of the road games they're not technically expected to would also help, a lot.
We'll see how things play out, but what we saw out of this team on the road against K-State would lead you to believe they could get a surprise win or two they're not expected to get. Win the ones they're supposed to and steal one or two, this team could definitely see the postseason.
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I hope you are right but...
I have them finishing the big 12 at 7-11 at best. But better than I expected at beginning of the year.
by mattsooner333 on Jan 31, 2012 9:00 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions
you could very well be right
"The less I know about other people’s affairs, the happier I am. I’m not interested in caring about people. I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
definitely not NCAA
NIT, CBI, or whatever other postseason tournaments that are out there is what I was referring to
"The less I know about other people’s affairs, the happier I am. I’m not interested in caring about people. I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
I've seen some braketology things
that have OU just on the outside of the NCAA
Which brings me to 2 follow up questions:
1) would it be better to be in the NIT/CBI and actually win a few games or to make the NCAA and take an early exit?
2) if we made the NIT/CBI would that still be considered a “success” or would it be a disappointment give where the team was last year, where it was predicted to be this year, and the early season success it had?
After the disaster of Capel
I think the NIT would be considered a success…the CBI…meh.
In accordance with the prophecy
Interesting question
I know there is a certain cache that comes w/ making the NCAA tourney, but if you told me we could make a run in one of the other ones then I think I’d lean that direction. The flip side of that is making a lesser tourney and still losing in the first game. That would suck.
"The less I know about other people’s affairs, the happier I am. I’m not interested in caring about people. I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
by Jordan Esco on Jan 31, 2012 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
whoa...
What bracketology are you looking at? OU is not on the NCAA radar. The best I’ve seen is a 3 seed in NIT. That being said, a NIT appearance will be good!
by mattsooner333 on Jan 31, 2012 11:32 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
There is this one.
seriously…..when was the last time you went to Ames? ever?
by PA Sooner 95 on Jan 31, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
any postseason appearance would be a success
18 wins would be a success. It may not be what we hope for or should expect, but for year 1 in the turnaround, it would be a huge step.
I think the goal
should be a run at the NIT for this season…unless some really fluky wins happen along the way. I think this team will be really dangerous in about two years. I really like what Kruger is doing with them.
In accordance with the prophecy
Thank God for Kruger
I’d settle for 18-12 or 17-13 and at least 1 win in the Big 12 tourney. We have everyone back for the most part next year and add some good players. So we could compete to be in the top 3 next year in Big 12 and get in the tourney.
All Lon could do with what Capel left him.
I think that the NCAA would be a big moral boost for the program IF & thats a big IF
we had a favorable draw. As long as we are above a 13 seed, we always have a chance. OU cant get into a shootout (see Mizzou), but we could win ugly against a handle of teams.
Best case win 3 games in the NIT.

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