Sooners continue to move on up in ESPN’s latest Women’s Basketball Power Rankings
After another win, Jennie Baranczyk’s crew has won six straight and remains tied with the Texas Longhorns for first place in the Big 12.
It’s the Sooners’ longest win streak in the Big 12 since they won five in a row in the 2016-2017 and 2010-2011 seasons. The last time they won six straight Big 12 games was in the 2008-2009 season, which happens to be the last time the Sooners won a Big 12 title.
That year, Sherri Coale led Oklahoma to a 15-1 record in the Big 12. They were 32-5 overall and advanced to the Final Four.
Could this year’s Sooners be destined for that kind of finish in 2023?
Over the last few weeks, the Sooners have risen considerably in ESPN’s women’s basketball power rankings. They rose a couple more spots and sit at No. 9.
Speaking of hot teams, the Sooners are it in the Big 12, as they also have won six in a row. This past week, they topped Texas Tech and Kansas. Oklahoma’s already good depth has gotten a boost from guard Aubrey Joens, who had a combined 35 points and 14 rebounds in the victories. The showdown for first place in the Big 12 comes this week when the Longhorns visit; both Texas and Oklahoma are 12-3 in league play. – M.A. Voepel, ESPN
Aubrey Joens has been a revelation off the bench. She was considered a significant addition in the transfer portal last offseason but hadn’t made much of an impact. That’s changed. After leading the Sooners in scoring against Texas Tech, she provided a lift in 18 minutes off the bench against Kansas, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from three for 12 points in the win.
With Joens coming on strong, the Sooners have as many as six players that can score in double-figures. Getting her contributions off the bench is huge as the season reaches its late stage.
The two best teams in the Big 12 will meet on Saturday in a game that could very well determine the Big 12 regular season champion. Oklahoma will have two more games after that and Texas one, but their Saturday showdown will pit the best offense in the conference against the best defense in the conference.
The last time the two met, Texas picked up a 20-point win in Austin. The Sooners are hoping to return the favor and split the season series.
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