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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. | ||||