How Far Do You Think The Guys Can Go?

[BUDDY G_rivals25215]

I really like the bracket we're in. Villanova, Michigan State, Louisville, and Virginia are all good teams but all, like us, are very beatable.

The Sooners have likely faced a far tougher schedule than many of those teams, though. It's hard to ever count out Tom Izzo's Spartans in the tournament but this isn't one of his better teams. Villanova is good but not nearly as tested as the Sooners, playing in a Big East conference that ain't what it used to be. Louisville is another March/April team to always keep an eye on but, like Michigan State, this is not your typical Petino team. They are capable of running to the Final 4 or losing in the first round. Virginia is tough to call. As far as I'm aware, their best player is still out and while they play great defense, they've struggled offensively in his absence and while they still won most of their games, things got a lot tighter.

If the Sooners hold serve, they should be able to out edge Providence in a defensive battle and earn a spot in the Sweet 16. After that it's a likely showdown with Michigan State or Virginia.

NC State and LSU are both capable of knocking off Villanova in the 2nd round. UNI could also bounce Louisville in the 2nd round as well.

Looking at the bracket I think there are as many as 10 teams that could win this region.

 

[jsmitty2.0]

I would say a second round win would be about as far as we could go. I don't see us beating Michigan State, Nova, Louisville, or Virginia.

 

[Tejashog]

We can get to the Sweet 16 game, if we shoot well. Anything past that is pretty iffy. I did see where several "experts" have us in the Final 4. That seems a little ambitious to me, but if we get hot if could happen. We need Thomas to show up for every game to do it though. He can't disappear like he has a tendency to do.

 

[gtanduga]

Originally posted by OU50:

We can get to the Sweet 16 game, if we shoot well. Anything past that is pretty iffy. I did see where several "experts" have us in the Final 4. That seems a little ambitious to me, but if we get hot if could happen. We need Thomas to show up for every game to do it though. He can't disappear like he has a tendency to do.

I'm right there with OU50. I think OU can beat Albany and Providence, but the dream ends there. OU will most likely make it to the Sweet 16, but they do not play well on the road and do not have the bench to hang with the likes of Michigan State, Louisville or Villanova. And as OU 50 stated, OU cannot afford for Thomas or Spangler to "disappear" during any of the games.

 

[phillinois]

Well, just like the football blokes, this team does things during the season, (like beating Kansas albeit by only two points, seemingly only days ago) which leads you to believe they can hang with anyone.

However when you shake off the delusions of grandeur, you realize they'll be lucky to advance to the sweet sixteen.

If I may borrow the mating call of Horns and Pokes..."We'll get 'em next year!"

This post was edited on 3/17 5:04 PM by Soonersincefitty

 

[mojo1fan]

Originally posted by Soonersincefitty:
Well, just like the football blokes, this team does things during the season, (like beating Kansas albeit by only two points, seemingly only days ago) which leads you to believe they can hang with anyone.

However when you shake off the delusions of grandeur, you realize they'll be lucky to advance to the sweet sixteen.

If I may borrow the mating call of Horns and Pokes..."We'll get 'em next year!"

This post was edited on 3/17 5:04 PM by Soonersincefitty

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Negative Nelly

In my office bracket, I've got the Sooners losing to Duke in the Final Four.

 

[Refdawg]

We could win every game until we play Kentucky.

 

[ammo_u]

Jeez I'd be happy winning one game. How long has it been? I don't even know.

 

[Raysor]

The question was could. this team could make a regional final and with some luck play somebody beatable there.

They are also very capable of another one and done. the first half in Ames and the second half against ISU in Norman, they were extraordinary. The other two halves in those games were absurdly poor.

OU is trey reliant without being great at it. they are capable of being great on D. But they are usually reliant on being physical to be that. In early round NCAA games, both can desert you quickly. if we go out one and done, I will be disappointed, but not surprised.

 

[jstark1038]

I've got OU getting beat by Virginia in my office pool.

 

[Snake98]

All I'm hoping for at this juncture is for a game one win against the mighty Albany Great Danes. Yes the Sooners are capable of losing to the Great Danes on the road if they bring their road woes with them. Just win ONE and then let's see who the next opponent might be.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

OU is notorious for its NCAA Tourney early exits and until the trend changes, I see another similar scenario this year.
The 1988 loss to Kansas may have been the mens basketball program's "high water mark".....much like Coale's team's loss to UConn in 2002.
OU will always be competitive in basketball, both for the mens and womens teams....but I believe that success will never reach "Mount Rushmore" status. I hope I'm someday proven wrong.

 

[BUDDY G_rivals25215]

I think the difference will be Lon Kruger. I like us getting to at least the Sweet 16.

 

[RumphSquatch]

There's a myriad of events that could unfold, from losing by 10 to Albany in the first round to defeating either Virginia or Louisville in the Elite Eight round...I think if anyone can solve our premature exits from NCAA tourneys gone by, it is Lon Kruger, more so than Sampson or Capel. I also think this team has the ability, not the guarantee but the ability, to potentially run any team they face right out of the gym - unfortunately, they also have the ability to lose a game despite leading by 25 points...

Really, it's a crap shoot and no one can predict what will happen. Bet it will be entertaining. I'm really only hoping for a first round win but a Sweet 16 appearance by this team would be a huge step forward.

 

[Raysor]

I don't think we can play Virginia in the Elite Eight round. That would be a regional final. Virginia is a two seed, so we'd play them in the Sweet 16.

Louisville would be in the Elite Eight, but I'd be very surprised if they got there. Pitino's team isn't as good as it's been in the recent past.





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This post was edited on 3/19 10:24 AM by Plainosooner

 

[ammo_u]

Yeah you have to take your hat off to what Coach Lon has been able to accomplish. OU basketball is relevant again. Now we need to make the next step forward, which is to win a few games in the tourney.

 

[nycuga]

I think the biggest issue facing OU,is bench production. Ryan and Tashawn have been incredible, but they have to get tired. I believe fatigue was a a big part of the reason Ryan missed that layup. I also think it accounted for some poor shot selections in a lot of the last few games. Hopefully, Frank got himself back on track, and out of the Krueger's doghouse, and can give the team some of the good minutes he was providing before the tournament. I hate it for Ryan that he missed the shot, but with the starters playing so many minutes, the extra rest was probably good! For us to make it very far, the bench has to provide some consistenly good minutes. I love this team and I hope they have a great run!!

 

[PaulVol]

This team can absolutely go to the Final 4 if they play their A game. Our bracket is wide open. Honestly, I think it's the toughest to predict.

Louisville doesn't scare me. I believe they have some injury issues. Very possible early exit.

Virginia's defense is nails. They aren't too bad offensively, but I believe they also still have the injury bug.

Michigan State always scares you in the tourney. They are hot right now too. Under-seeded at 7. Sparty versus the Cavs will be one heck of a round of 32 game.

The winner of the NC State/LSU game will also be dangerous. There is some talent on those teams.

Villanova may be the most complete team from an offensive and defensive standpoint. They are the team I would probably worry about the most. Even so, they are beatable.

Jason