Despite Struggles, Oklahoma Men’s Basketball team is far from the NCAA tournament bubble
The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team has had an up-and-down go of it during Big 12 play. As things stand right now ahead of Saturday’s final conference Bedlam matchup, the Sooners are 18-8 overall and 6-7 in Big 12 play.
They’ve had opportunities to be better than their sub-.500 record. But such is life in the Big 12. Up 11 on Kansas one minute, suffering another disappointing loss the next.
And yet, the Oklahoma Sooners are still an improved basketball team from a year ago when they finished 5-13 in conference play and in last place. And despite the roller coaster ride they’ve been on in the toughest basketball conference in the country, Oklahoma is still on solid footing for to make the NCAA tournament for the first time under Porter Moser.
Even if they finish the season on a sour note, their strength of schedule will be enough for the Oklahoma Sooners to make the tournament. But let’s check in with where Oklahoma’s at in the latest NET ratings, RPI, and bracketologies from around the world of college hoops.
NET Rating
The Oklahoma Sooners are currently 39th in NET Rating. NET is what the NCAA tournament selection committee uses to make their tournament selections. The Sooners are looking good here. Though their 3-7 record against Quad 1 opponents, they’re 15-1 against quad 2-4 teams.
How does the quadrant system work?
Quad 1: Home games against the Top 30 of NET, neutral-site games against the top 50, and road games against the top 75. Any win here is going to help you, but a loss won’t kill you in the NET.
Record in Quad 1: 3-7
Quad 2: Home games against teams ranked Nos. 31-75 in NET, neutral-site games against teams ranked Nos. 51-100 and road games against teams ranked Nos. 76-135.
Record in Quad 2: 3-1
Quad 3: Home games against teams ranked Nos. 76-160 in NET, neutral-site games against teams ranked Nos. 101-200 and road games against teams ranked Nos. 136-240.
Record in Quad 3: 4-0
Quad 4: Home games against teams ranked No. 161 or worse in the NET, neutral-site games against No. 201 or worse and road games against No. 241 or worse.
Record in Quad 1: 8-0
USA TODAY Sports Bracketology
The Oklahoma Sooners are sitting pretty as a seven seed according to USA TODAY Sports. In the current projection, they’ll go to Indianapolis and face the Northwestern Wildcats.
ESPN Bracketology from Joe Lunardi
Bracketologist Joe Lunardi of ESPN has the Oklahoma Sooners as an eight-seed, heading to Salt Lake City to take on the Boise State Broncos.
CBS Sports Bracketology by Jerry Palm
Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has the Oklahoma Sooners as a seven seed, heading to Memphis to take on Virginia.
RPI
If RPI is what you subscribe to, then the Oklahoma Sooners are a bubble team. They’re currently No. 64 in the RPI. The old system doesn’t love the Sooners as much, but they’re just within the top 68, which is how many teams make the NCAA tournament.
