When do we crack the top 25?

[shytnik]

So realizing that we just lost to #18 Kansas this week, we just pulled the upset of #9 ISU. OU entered the week at #35 in the AP and #30 in the Coaches polls and #21 in the RPI which figures to continue climbing. We played MSU tough and had a shot to actually win that game. KU was not a blow out and they are returning to where people thought they would be this year, probably end up a top 10 team. In the end the loss to 13-3 LT may not turn out to be a bad one either. If we take down KSU (who looks to be on the road to losing #25 rank) do we get there, or will it take also upsetting #7 Baylor? What do you guys think, do we crack the top 25 this week or does it take a few more quality wins?

[SoonerorLater]

I doubt we get in this week. The way our schedule works out we may never crack the top 25 and still get a decent seed in the NCAA. Our best chance for a mini run is the last three games in conference.

[King Crimson]

rankings don't mean much in college hoops. get that rpi under about 30 and we are good.

very good win today and plus one on the road in austin is a good one too.

hornbeak healthy and we might have a chance to be pretty good.

[SoonerMarkVA]

If we'd beaten KU, yes for next poll. As it stands, it's going to take some more winning. We'll have plenty of chances to prove our mettle with our conference.

[Soonerjeepman]

agree....not this week. I think we actually might match up well with ksu...they don't have a lot of height, like us. Too bad they got hammered...they'll be hungry....Like someone said we may never....I'm thinking 11-7 conf....22-9 overall.

[Eielson]

I'm actually leaning towards us cracking the top 25 this week. It's far from a sure thing, but I think it's doable in at least one of the polls. KSU got into the top 25 last week with 3 losses based off of a big win against OSU. I think we'll do the same this week. I doubt voters will let the KU loss deter them. I expect that they'll primarily look at the overall record and conference record. A 2-1 start in the Big XII speaks kindly for us.

[Sooner95]

After this win today, I like our chances as well. If we do not, it'll be by just a few votes.

[shytnik]

I'm still torn, but I think with a few losses above us we might just crack the top 25. I know it doesn't matter as much as the RPI, but it can't hurt either.

[CowboyMRW]

I'm actually leaning towards us cracking the top 25 this week. It's far from a sure thing, but I think it's doable in at least one of the polls. KSU got into the top 25 last week with 3 losses based off of a big win against OSU. I think we'll do the same this week. I doubt voters will let the KU loss deter them. I expect that they'll primarily look at the overall record and conference record. A 2-1 start in the Big XII speaks kindly for us.

KSU beating OSU definitely helped them crack into, but they were also on an 8 game win streak and beat Gonzaga in that stretch also.

Great win for OU today though. Congrats

[8timechamps]

Last time I predicted us breaking through, we didn't...then we lost to LaTech.

So, I'm not going to make any predictions. I do agree with King Crimson though, the RPI is what really matters, and we were at 21 (we'll see where that goes after this last week).

Iowa State was getting a lot of hype prior to this game (which I think they deserved), so that could help too.

[King Crimson]

being in the top 25 gets you on TV and ESPN....high lights and such.

that had to be good for recruiting.

getting the OU name out there since the Blake "era".

as a year to year fan since Al Beal, the rankings mean much less than the NCAA tournament criteria. so, i'm kinda talking out both sides of my mouth...

[Eielson]

KSU beating OSU definitely helped them crack into, but they were also on an 8 game win streak and beat Gonzaga in that stretch also.

I don't think any of that would have mattered if OSU was ranked something like #22, though. I don't know how voters think, but I've always felt like big wins put you in the voters' minds, and then they take a closer look at your team to decide if you're worthy of the top 25. For KSU, despite a couple bad early losses, I'm sure the 8 game winning streak that included wins against Gonzaga and OSU played a role in getting them ranked. For OU, I think many voters will see that 2 of our 3 losses were competitive games against MSU and KU, and that we have the second best record in a loaded conference. Just a guess, though.

I think that our numbers by themselves should place us in the bottom of the top 25 (record, conference record, SOS, etc.) Unless we really botch things up (like we did against LT), our Big Monday game against OSU should be a top 25 showdown. I think we split again this week, and then win both the following week (16-4, 5-2). If we don't get into the top 25 by then, our only realistic shot would be at the end of the regular season.

[badger]

We cracked it today, b!tches!

Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ou/ou-men-ranked-for-first-time-this-season-osu-back/article_621f6412-7c79-11e3-ac13-001a4bcf6878.html)


OU entered the top 25 for the first time this season after defeating No. 8 Iowa State 87-82 at home Saturday. The Sooners travel to Kansas State 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner... OKU! :D

[SoonerorLater]

I'm surprised but pleasantly surprised. RPI looks good too.

[Boomer.....]

Still 29th in the Coaches poll, but I'll take it!

It's more than likely going to be short lived with road trips to Manhattan and Waco this week.

[SoonerMarkVA]

Nice! Very surprised. Hope we aren't 1-week wonders.

[8timechamps]

See what happens when I DON'T predict a top 25 appearance (and Eielson does)?!

AP Rank: 25
Coaches Rank: 29
RPI: 15

[Eielson]

See what happens when I DON'T predict a top 25 appearance (and Eielson does)?!

AP Rank: 25
Coaches Rank: 29
RPI: 15

If one person had rated us one spot lower, we wouldn't have cracked the top 25. I'm going to ignore that and pretend like I'm a genius, though.

[Soonerjeepman]

well that was short lived...less than 2 days. Ah well...hopefully we can return the favor in a few weeks

[badger]

well that was short lived...less than 2 days. Ah well...hopefully we can return the favor in a few weeks

no, we get to stay an entire week, which means that any games the rest of the week could potentially make voters forget that we lost last night, heh. Basketball > Football in this regard

[badger]

We no longer have to share with UCLA! #25 by ourselves!

Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/collegebasketball/osu-men-no-ou-men-no-six-big-ranked-in/article_0cf198b2-81f5-11e3-bb24-001a4bcf6878.html)

Holy sh!t six Big 12 teams ranked?!

pleasedon'taskaboutthewomenpleasedon'taskaboutthew omenpleasedon'taskaboutthewomen

[Boomer.....]

Saweet!

[Sooner95]

Pretty cool. Heck of a week we had. I was in Okla this past week, (first time in 8 yrs) and enjoyed watching us stick it to the bears while chowing down on some brisket at Sooner Legends in Norman. Ah, good times.

[Soonerjeepman]

no, we get to stay an entire week, which means that any games the rest of the week could potentially make voters forget that we lost last night, heh. Basketball > Football in this regard

true...we beat bu. very good win...but the way ksu is playing..I'd put them above us right now. Hopefully beat tcu..(right?) ..4-2 and 15-4, unfortunately our big win is losing, but ut is coming on...so that is good.

[badger]

Congrats to ou men, now #23 and the big 12 with 5 ranked teams... Ku 6, poke 8, ISU teens 16 I think, whorn 25. Ksu and bu also got some votes.

Congrats also to ou women for getting back some votes. A few more ranked wins are we are back in the top 25, not ready to give up on this season yet!

[Eielson]

Here's a load of crap....

OU is #21, OSU #19, ISU #16, and Texas #15

Total lack of respect for our program. We're 3-1 against those three teams, and we all have almost identical records.

[8timechamps]

Here's a load of crap....

OU is #21, OSU #19, ISU #16, and Texas #15

Total lack of respect for our program. We're 3-1 against those three teams, and we all have almost identical records.

My jaw dropped when I saw the rankings. There is no respect for OU hoops.

The upside is that I'm sure the players see the rankings, and it's always nice to have an "us against the world" mentality.

Still, I was actually furious when I saw the rankings, one loss (and a close road loss at that), and we get basically punished.

[badger]

We just exited the AP's top 25. Voters apparently treated the West Virginia loss without regard to our weather travel issues :(

Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/osu/ou-osu-men-both-fall-out-of-ap-basketball-top/article_e8abee5a-9278-11e3-a9b3-0017a43b2370.html)

While there are 6 Big 12 teams receiving votes overall, only 3 remain in the top 25. To be fair, we are No. 26 right now

[Temujin]

We just exited the AP's top 25. Voters apparently treated the West Virginia loss without regard to our weather travel issues :(

Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/osu/ou-osu-men-both-fall-out-of-ap-basketball-top/article_e8abee5a-9278-11e3-a9b3-0017a43b2370.html)

While there are 6 Big 12 teams receiving votes overall, only 3 remain in the top 25. To be fair, we are No. 26 right now

I've never been a fan of the polls, particularly the AP. These are people that have busy jobs that only have time to scan the box scores before they vote.

[Eielson]

We no longer have to share with UCLA! #25 by ourselves!

Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/collegebasketball/osu-men-no-ou-men-no-six-big-ranked-in/article_0cf198b2-81f5-11e3-bb24-001a4bcf6878.html)

Holy sh!t six Big 12 teams ranked?!

pleasedon'taskaboutthewomenpleasedon'taskaboutthew omenpleasedon'taskaboutthewomen

Hey, what about the women??