A pretty heady achievement, all things considered. The Sooners were picked to finish eighth this season in the annual preseason poll of the conference coaches.
Instead, on Wednesday Lon Kruger’s guys found themselves tied for fifth and in danger of dropping one more spot if they come up short at TCU on Saturday. Sixth place has been OU’s average conference finish over the last five seasons, although that number is actually boosted by a third-place finish and a tie for second in 2015-16 and 2014-15, respectively.
The Sooners have been to the NCAA Tournament six times in Kruger’s eight seasons as head coach, and advanced all the way to the Final Four in Buddy Hield’s senior season in 2015-16.