Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Baylor’s shocking rise, Texas Tech’s missed opportunity

By Tristan Freeman

TULSA, OK - MARCH 17: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears reacts in the second half against the New Mexico State Aggies during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
TULSA, OK - MARCH 17: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears reacts in the second half against the New Mexico State Aggies during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 19: Rashard Odomes #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives to the basket around Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns during first half action at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 19: Rashard Odomes #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives to the basket around Matt Coleman III #2 of the Texas Longhorns during first half action at The Frank Erwin Center on January 19, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

2. Is Oklahoma still a tournament team?

While Baylor has been the Big 12 surprise as of late, it was Oklahoma who took the league by storm in the non-conference portion of the season. The Sooners started out 11-1 and had wins over USC, Creighton, Wichita State, Northwestern, Wofford, Dayton, Florida, and Notre Dame. It’s true that some of these teams have fallen off in conference play but the overall non-conference strength of schedule is still up there near the top.

His scoring has dipped a bit but Christian James completely deserves All-Big 12 honors, leading Oklahoma with 16 ppg and 7.1 rpg on the season. He and Brady Manek (11.4 ppg) are the team’s only players scoring more than nine a night. The role players (mostly the same from last year’s squad) have improved defensively as a unit, nearly 15 ppg fewer allowed.

The Sooners have lost four of their last six games, including a 30-point home drubbing to Baylor. At 8th place in the standings, they’re creeping closer to the bubble than they probably would want to be. The lack of multiple offensive weapons is starting to come back to haunt Oklahoma and Coach Lon Kruger has to make some adjustments going forward. We’ll know more about this team when they face Iowa State and Texas Tech this week.

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