NCAA Basketball: Breaking down the field of the 2018 Battle 4 Atlantis

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament between the Santa Clara Broncos and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 77-68. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 01: Head coach Lon Kruger of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on during a practice session for the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four at NRG Stadium on April 1, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma Sooners – Big 12

After Buddy Hield graduated and began his career in the NBA, Oklahoma struggled in 2016-17. Yet, this is still a very solid program. In fact, prior to missing the Big Dance in 2017, the Sooners had gone dancing in each of their last four seasons. Head coach Lon Kruger is among the best in the business and he always seems to make Oklahoma a tournament team.

After having an extremely young roster in 2016-17, Kruger’s squad will be experienced and much older in two years. This will bode well for the Sooners in the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2018. Of the freshman in 2016-17, Kameron McGusty was the most impactful, averaging 10.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

In addition, Kristian Doolittle had a very solid freshman campaign and he will be valuable to the 2018-19 team. Incoming top-25 recruit Trae Young is a player to watch as a possible star on the Oklahoma team for the next few years. Oklahoma might have missed the tournament in 2016-17, but they should be back on track again soon.

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