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Who would have guessed it? OU is state's best in basketball
Published: 1/23/2013 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 1/23/2013 2:12 AM

Who would have thought two months ago that, as we approach February, the best college basketball team in the state would reside in Norman?

After Monday's state hoopsfest on ESPN and Kansas' win over Kansas State on Tuesday, the Sooners are tied for second in the Big 12.

This just in: Lon Kruger is a pretty good college basketball coach.

I loved the hire when OU made it, wishing Texas A&M could have lured Kruger one of the last two times the Aggies needed a coach.

And after meeting him late last season, I was even more impressed. The guy really understands the situation he's in at OU.

The Sooners, it seems, have come a long way from the December team that was struggling -- and at least in the case of SFA losing -- to Southland Conference competition. OU's current RPI is 21, which would make it a virtual lock to make the NCAA tournament if things keep moving in the current direction.

But this is where our OU beat writer Guerin Emig has urged me to show caution given the fact the Sooners are 3-21 in the last three Februarys.

And the schedule gets much tougher quickly, with two games against Kansas, road games against Baylor and Iowa State and a home game against Kansas State looming in the next five.

That stretch could allow Oklahoma State to retake the state lead. The Cowboys have had the tougher end of the schedule, already with road games against all three teams -- OU, Kansas State and Baylor -- currently tied for second in the league.

OSU also faces a crucial next five, with home games against West Virginia, Iowa State and Baylor mixed in with road contests at Kansas and Texas.

Given the Cowboys aversion to road games, matchups at Texas, West Virginia and Iowa State are likely must haves if they want to be in the NCAA conversation in March.

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DomoArrigato (3 weeks ago)

I would have guessed it, and in fact expected it after OU hired Lon Kruger. I stated back then, given a year or two of recruiting that OU would be right on top in Basketball.

And now, they are!!!!

hootie (3 weeks ago)

On top??? Not yet...

colhi64 (3 weeks ago)

OSU has the best talent, OU the best coach. Talent can win over coaching so at end of year I do see OSU ahead of OU.
If OU finishes higher than OSU in the Big 12 then Ford needs to go.

Chelsea Lee (3 weeks ago)

I agree, OU has the best coach. Imagine what he could do if he had OSU's talent?

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Tulsa World Sports Editor Michael Peters has nearly 20 years of daily newspaper experience. A 1993 graduate of Texas A&M, he worked at papers in Bryan-College Station, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, and Galveston, Texas, before joining the Houston Chronicle as High School Sports Editor in 2008. While in Houston, he coordinated coverage of the 2008 Texas Class 5A state football championships and the 2011 NCAA Men's Final Four.

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