Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 02: General view of a basketball and Big 12 logo taken before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on January 02, 2016 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 82-74. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 02: General view of a basketball and Big 12 logo taken before the game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns on January 02, 2016 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 82-74. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 08: Austin Reaves #12, Kur Kuath #52, Jamal Bieniemy #24 and Victor Iwuakor #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 08: Austin Reaves #12, Kur Kuath #52, Jamal Bieniemy #24 and Victor Iwuakor #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

team. 464. . . . Sooners . 6

Despite losing leading scorer Kristian Doolittle, the Sooners are optimistic that they’ll have enough offense to be an NCAA Tournament contender. Returning are seniors Austin Reaves and Brady Manek, who each scored over 14 ppg. There are some concerns about the lack of frontcourt depth, with just Manek and Victor Iwuakor on the roster but the team should have enough quality guards to play an effective undersized.

That would be especially true once transfers Umoja Gibson and Elijah Harkless get waivers. Both were double-digit scorers at their respective mid-major teams last season, with Gibson more of a combo guard while Harkless can play at the three-spot. They would be offensive upgrades over Jamal Bieniemy, who transferred to UTEP this offseason.

The key to Oklahoma this upcoming season is the play and development of De’Vion Harmon. The former top-50 recruit had a solid freshman campaign, averaging 7.4 ppg and 2.0 apg. But a lot more is going to be expected of the 6’1 guard, who’ll be the starting point guard and tasked with facilitating the offense. If he doesn’t improve both in scoring and passing, the Sooners could be in some real trouble.

On paper, Oklahoma’s roster is similar to TCU when it comes to a pair of star players being surrounded by question marks. However, the Sooner transfers along with high expectations for Harmon give them an edge for now. But the margin is thin between having a top-half Big 12 finish and possibly ending up around 8th or 9th place.

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