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Oklahoma Sooners MBB Reaches No. 15 In Latest AP Poll

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

After a strong showing in the Battle 4 Atlantis and two consecutive 19 point victories, the Oklahoma Sooners continue to rise in the polls. This week, the folks from Norman move up, checking in at the No. 15 spot in the AP Poll. Currently, half of the Big XII finds themselves inside the top 25. Could this be the best basketball conference in the nation?

Much of the reason for success comes from the progression of TaShawn Thomas. Although Oklahoma has talented and athletic post players on the roster, the team lacked consistent scoring underneath the basket. It appears as though Thomas has grasped ahold of the ideologies that Lon Kruger preaches...defense and transition basketball.

Need proof? Watch what happens after Thomas records a block in real time.

Yes, the layup does fall in for the big man!

Against Missouri, the newly acquired transfer racked up 5 blocked shots only to follow it up with three more against Tulsa. This season, Thomas, a senior, averages 1.8 blocks per contest and has the potential to improve upon that number.

AP Top 25

RANK SCHOOL RECORD Pts Prev
1 Kentucky Wildcats (65) 11-0 1,625 1
2 Duke Blue Devils 8-0 1,545 2
3 Arizona Wildcats 10-0 1,505 3
4 Louisville Cardinals 9-0 1,349 4
5 Wisconsin Badgers 10-1 1,331 5
6 Virginia Cavaliers 9-0 1,294 6
7 Villanova Wildcats 10-0 1,215 7
8 Gonzaga Bulldogs 10-1 1,175 9
9 Texas Longhorns 8-1 1,154 8
10 Kansas Jayhawks 8-1 1,102 10
11 Wichita State Shockers 7-1 959 11
12 Ohio State Buckeyes 8-1 838 12
13 Iowa State Cyclones 8-1 772 14
14 Utah Utes 7-2 670 13
15 Oklahoma Sooners 6-2 647 16
16 Washington Huskies 8-0 598 17
17 Maryland Terrapins 10-1 512 19
18 Miami-Florida Hurricanes 9-1 426 20
19 San Diego State Aztecs 7-2 424 18
20 St. John's Red Storm 8-2 353 24
21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-1 351 25
22 West Virginia Mountaineers 9-1 333 22
23 Butler Bulldogs 8-2 259 15
24 North Carolina Tar Heels 7-3 122 21
25 Michigan State Spartans 7-3 116 NR
Others receiving votes: Baylor 97, TCU 80, Colorado State 75, UNI 65, Georgetown 41, California 37, Arkansas 19, Seton Hall 14, VCU 6, Old Dominion 4, LSU 4, Oklahoma State 4, Penn State 3, Davidson 1.