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Bracketology 2020: San Diego State, Arizona and Marquette biggest losers

By Andrew Dieckhoff

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs directs his team from the bench area late in the game against the UNLV Runnin Rebels at Viejas Arena on February 22, 2020 in San Diego, California. The Runnin' Rebels defeated the Aztecs 66-63. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs directs his team from the bench area late in the game against the UNLV Runnin Rebels at Viejas Arena on February 22, 2020 in San Diego, California. The Runnin' Rebels defeated the Aztecs 66-63. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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MANHATTAN, KS – JANUARY 29: Victor Iwuakor #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS – JANUARY 29: Victor Iwuakor #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma (16-11, 6-8 Big 12)

Not too long ago, Oklahoma was creeping up onto the eight-line and were challenging Texas Tech for the distinction of being the Big 12’s fourth-best team.

But I suppose “not too long ago” is relative. For Sooner fans, I imagine these past ten days must feel like they’ve dragged on for months.

Last weekend, a golden opportunity to slay a dragon slipped through their fingers as the Sooners were enveloped in the Phog by a Kansas team that will almost assuredly ascend to the #1 spot in the national polls on Monday.

A second opportunity awaited the Sooners on Tuesday when then-#1 Baylor came to Norman. And while Oklahoma played the Bears more competitively than they did the Jayhawks, there is no entry on the NCAA team sheet for moral victories.

There are also no spots set aside for big wins over your major rival, but that wasn’t going to stop the Sooners from trying to ruin Oklahoma State’s weekend. Oklahoma traveled to Stillwater in need of a win, and despite the fact that the Cowboys have fallen drastically after a fast start, this game could have qualified as a Quadrant 1 win.

Instead, Cameron McGriff scored 28 points for OSU and carried Mike Boynton’s club to an 83-66 drubbing of their cross-state counterparts. Not only did Oklahoma State score a sweet victory in a rivalry game—this result might actually end up keeping the Sooners out of the tournament entirely.

Oklahoma has a pair of Quadrant 1 wins against West Virginia at home and Texas on the road, but they’ve whiffed in nine other chances to score additional top-tier victories. Neutral-site wins over Minnesota, Oregon State, and Missouri are good but largely unremarkable. The same is true of Oklahoma’s home wins over Mississippi State and Oklahoma State.

One saving grace for Lon Kruger is that his team doesn’t have any bad losses hanging around. But the advanced metrics have Oklahoma hovering right around the low 40s. That puts them squarely in the conversation for a play-in game in Dayton.

In order to get back on the right side of things, the Sooners could really use a win over Texas Tech or West Virginia next week. Otherwise, an at-large bid will require a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament and at least one notable upset—and even that might not be enough.

Next. Bracketology Winners. dark

There is a lot of movement around the cut line right now, so be sure to check out all of the bracketology coverage here at Busting Brackets and come back next week for the next batch of losers!

Andrew is a current USBWA member, covering college basketball for Busting Brackets and Mountain West Wire of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group. He also runs a college basketball analytics system, the Dieckhoff Power Index, and provides bracketology predictions throughout the season.

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