I know its early and this thread probably won't get busy until January but the Big XII has some impressive early wins thus far. Oklahoma State took down #11 Memphis by dismantling them last night, Iowa State beat then #7 Michigan last Saturday by 7 at "The Hilton" which is a notoriously tough place to play in Big 8/Big XII league play, and last week, Kansas took down then #4 Duke in a neutral court match-up. It's been a while since any team in the league outside of KU has had great early season play.

I expect Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas & Kansas State to be teams vying for spots in the NCAA tournament this year landing anywhere from 6 to 9 seeds. I can see Iowa State being a 3 to 5 seed and Oklahoma State & KU either as 1s or 2s.

Like I said, it's still far too early but I haven't been this excited for college basketball in quite some time!

Jay Bilas said that the Big12 might be the best basketball conference this year.

Yeah, I heard that the other night...or saw it on Twitter. Did you see the Marcus Smart interview after the game during Sportscenter? My God that kid knows how to talk coach speak! I hope the rematch (if both OSU and Memphis make it that far in the Old Spice Classic) has a healthy Phil Forte III to add to the mix!

It's going to be a great year of Big XII basketball.

I'm a transplanted Kansan and diehard Jayhawk fan but I follow both of the Oklahoma schools and attend a lot of OU games. Gotta give huge props for what Kruger has done to get OU turned back around. Now if the fans would just come back.

I will also pull for any Big XII team in a non-conference match-up..... The only exception to that rule left the conference.

I think OU will finish higher than they were predicted and K-State with Weber at the helm is on their way to the Big XII basement or at least will be sharing it with TCU soon. Weber proved he can win with other coaches players but once they are gone it's all over.

I'd also be bold enough to make a prediction that at least one of the OSU/KU games will be played with both teams being in the Top 5 this year. Would really be a huge accomplishment for the conference if they could make it a #1 vs #2 game.

It's going to be a great year of Big XII basketball.

I'm a transplanted Kansan and diehard Jayhawk fan but I follow both of the Oklahoma schools and attend a lot of OU games. Gotta give huge props for what Kruger has done to get OU turned back around. Now if the fans would just come back.

I will also pull for any Big XII team in a non-conference match-up..... The only exception to that rule left the conference.

I think OU will finish higher than they were predicted and K-State with Weber at the helm is on their way to the Big XII basement or at least will be sharing it with TCU soon. Weber proved he can win with other coaches players but once they are gone it's all over.

I'd also be bold enough to make a prediction that at least one of the OSU/KU games will be played with both teams being in the Top 5 this year. Would really be a huge accomplishment for the conference if they could make it a #1 vs #2 game.

I too think OU will have a better season than people are expecting. They arent very deep but the top 5-6 players can be pretty good. Add that with the solid coaching abilities of Kruger and I think they could finish as high as 4th in conference, or at least 5th.

It's going to be a great year of Big XII basketball.

I'm a transplanted Kansan and diehard Jayhawk fan but I follow both of the Oklahoma schools and attend a lot of OU games. Gotta give huge props for what Kruger has done to get OU turned back around. Now if the fans would just come back.

I will also pull for any Big XII team in a non-conference match-up..... The only exception to that rule left the conference.

I think OU will finish higher than they were predicted and K-State with Weber at the helm is on their way to the Big XII basement or at least will be sharing it with TCU soon. Weber proved he can win with other coaches players but once they are gone it's all over.

I'd also be bold enough to make a prediction that at least one of the OSU/KU games will be played with both teams being in the Top 5 this year. Would really be a huge accomplishment for the conference if they could make it a #1 vs #2 game.

So true! Not as bad from the Stillwater perspective since its father away from OKC and more pull from Tulsa, but the Thunder does hurt the college ticket sales (which is sad considering the cost difference), that and the fact that both college teams have been sub par for a lot of recent years past. I was disgraced to see the huge plots of empty seats for the OSU Memphis game on ESPN. Just looked despicable! Again, it is early but folks need to show up for near Top 10 match-ups!! I woulda gone but I had to work!!

Looks like my K-State assessment is coming true sooner rather than later... They lost to Charlotte last night and are about to get beat by Georgetown and drop to 2-3...... Bruce Weber has succesfully killed another program.

Looks like my assessment of them was wrong then, lol.

Good win tonight in NYC by Oklahoma but their winning streak will likely come to a quick end with number one Michigan State up next.

Michigan State is going to pwn Oklahoma….

Ticket sales are also down because most people are down on college basketball cause the studs are one and done...Killed the sport

Michigan State is going to pwn Oklahoma….

I'm sure that matchup will muster up some Mateen Cleaves/Eduardo Najera memories of midcourt collisions!


Ticket sales are also down because most people are down on college basketball cause the studs are one and done...Killed the sport

Need to do like college football. Two years minimum if you make the commitment to play in college. No backing out of a commitment if you sign on the dotted line. You either go straight to the draft out of high school or you go to college for two years.

Michigan State is going to pwn Oklahoma….

Both of you were wrong about this and it's another indication of the strength of the Big XII this year. OU was only down by 4 points with 3 minutes left and ended up losing by 11 to the number one team.

Both of you were wrong about this and it's another indication of the strength of the Big XII this year. OU was only down by 4 points with 3 minutes left and ended up losing by 11 to the number one team.

They didn't get pwned, but they didn't win either, so neither of us were embarrassingly wrong. They did play much better than I expected them to, so I will give them lots of credit & a big round of applause. Good game & they should be proud of the way they played. :congrats::congrats::congrats::congrats:

Lon Kruger is doing a very good job of gradually rebuilding the OU program back to being very respectable.

Lon Kruger is doing a very good job of gradually rebuilding the OU program back to being very respectable.

He is doing a very good job. I've had high hopes for him from the day he was hired & I'm glad to see OU is doing quite well under him.

They didn't get pwned, but they didn't win either, so neither of us were embarrassingly wrong. They did play much better than I expected them to, so I will give them lots of credit & a big round of applause. Good game & they should be proud of the way they played. :congrats::congrats::congrats::congrats:

Doesn't OU have the #1 SOS? Too bad they lost but not getting smoked is a testament to how strong the Big XII is. At least we're getting some respect for a conference contender in a popular sport...which has a ton of East Coast bias!

I thought the OU/MSU game was pretty ugly on both sides but I'm not saying that in a negative way... It was because both teams were doing a great job of making each other look ugly.

OU showed a lot of character and to get the game back to within 4 after being down 18 was pretty darn impressive.

And yes they are ranked #1 in the RPI.

I am really proud of the way the Sooners played against Michigan State, they did not give up and made Michigan State earn this one

Pokes up to #5 in the poll today. Playing on the road tonight (actually in 35 minutes).

Stevie Clark suspended and maybe off the team

Stevie Clark suspended and maybe off the team

Well, that's no bueno. Just read on gopokes.com, speculation of drug use and attitude in practice. SMH, have fun playing your career out in Division II... Thank God we have a top tier class coming in next season. For now though, I hope it doesn't screw up the rotation!

Is anybody else keeping up with the Cleveland State-Kentucky game? The Wildcats aren't looking too wild.

OSU handled South Florida in Central Florida, 93-67.

I thought the OU/MSU game was pretty ugly on both sides but I'm not saying that in a negative way... It was because both teams were doing a great job of making each other look ugly.

OU showed a lot of character and to get the game back to within 4 after being down 18 was pretty darn impressive.

And yes they are ranked #1 in the RPI.

Ugly? OU hit the first 10 or 11 shots they took. Accurate shooting against a good defense. I wouldn't call that ugly.
Both teams hit a good percentage of their outside shots. MSU was just a lot deeper with more rebounders.

Stevie Clark suspended and maybe off the team

Oklahoman reported today that Clark's mom posted on her facebook that Stevie is not kicked off and has not left the team. Which is a good thing, because I think he can be a great 4 year player and he is our only true back up PG to Smart.

Oklahoman reported today that Clark's mom posted on her facebook that Stevie is not kicked off and has not left the team. Which is a good thing, because I think he can be a great 4 year player and he is our only true back up PG to Smart.

Bob Barry also reported this last night on the 10 o'clock newscast.

OU Mens B-Ball $5 tix vs. UA Little Rock Friday at 2.
OU Womens B-Ball $5 tix vs. Creighton Sunday at noon.

OU Mens B-Ball $5 tix vs. UA Little Rock Friday at 2.
OU Womens B-Ball $5 tix vs. Creighton Sunday at noon.

Yep, the Thunder play the Warriors on Friday and they play the Timberwolves on Sunday.....

Lots of B-Ball competition these days.

Clark is suspended indefinitely

Lon Kruger is doing a very good job of gradually rebuilding the OU program back to being very respectable.Yep and with OU likely to be pouring many millions of dollars into the LNC (or maybe even a new arena) its likely to help LK's recruit efforts for even better players.... LK will likely retire at OU.

All signs that I see point toward LK recruiting good kids....
I have gotten to know the parents of one OU player just a little. They can't stop offering praise for LK and what he is all about.

Because of LK the OU Men's basketball program deserves all the support that can be thrown his way.
If we do special times are sure to follow.

Clark is suspended indefinitely

Huh? Details?

Huh? Details?

Oklahoma State basketball: Travis Ford releases statement on Stevie Clark | News OK (http://newsok.com/travis-ford-releases-statement-on-stevie-clark/article/3908849)

Ahhh ok. I was checking OU, thinking Cameron Clark.

I understand all of the arguments about this but it's still very disappointing that an OSU team in the top 10 only draws 4,000 fans to a game tonight and an OU team with only one loss draws 3,000.

I understand all of the arguments about this but it's still very disappointing that an OSU team in the top 10 only draws 4,000 fans to a game tonight and an OU team with only one loss draws 3,000.

I posted a pic of that on Facebook. It's understandable that it is Christmas break and a majority of the students have gone home for the holidays but come on. My Facebook post basically stated that if KU were facing Emporia High School, it would still be a sell out. I would have driven to Stillwater to watch the game if I didn't get off work at 7PM!

I understand all of the arguments about this but it's still very disappointing that an OSU team in the top 10 only draws 4,000 fans to a game tonight and an OU team with only one loss draws 3,000.

For OU they sold 9400 tickets. So over 6k people with tickets didn't show up.

For OU they sold 9400 tickets. So over 6k people with tickets didn't show up.
This is something that I have never really understood very well?
In spite of decent numbers of ticket sold OU has always had tons of no shows to most of its non conference basketball games.... I don't know what it is in it's entirety but OU needs to do something different and solve the problem. This is more than just about winning?

Reasons:
The Thunder are here
OSU and OU were playing nobodys
It was during christmas break with students gone
It was on a Tuesday evening during the holidays when peoples time is thin

It has been better at OSU for some of their other non conference games but last night was just a night when you arent going to attract many people. And it will get better at both schools after the first of the year when football ends, holidays are over and conference games start. This is just the new reality, and it isnt just in OKlahoma. Other schools are having harder times getting people to sporting events.

Re: Kansas. They are an outlier. They are the definition of a basketball school

Well it's still a pitiful representation for a TOP 10 team!

Reasons:
The Thunder are here
OSU and OU were playing nobodys
It was during christmas break with students gone
It was on a Tuesday evening during the holidays when peoples time is thin

It has been better at OSU for some of their other non conference games but last night was just a night when you arent going to attract many people. And it will get better at both schools after the first of the year when football ends, holidays are over and conference games start. This is just the new reality, and it isnt just in OKlahoma. Other schools are having harder times getting people to sporting events.

Re: Kansas. They are an outlier. They are the definition of a basketball school

It's pretty much always been this way at OU, even when OU has had very good final 4 type teams and also before the Thunder was in OKC...It's good that most of the tickets are sold but somehow OU need to get butts in the seats that are sold. For most of the people not going its not an issue of money.

Particularly at Christmas break time with students gone I would like to see OU start a program where the tickets could be donated to members of the military, area teachers and school kids, police, fire personnel and to others deemed appropriate.

Basketball attendance is down at many university's.

OU's basketball attendance and enthusiasm during the entire Kelvin Sampson era (most of 1990s-2000s) was significantly better than it is now. When I was an undergrad OU students (2000-2004) were good, not great. OU students do not support the team well at all. I was at a game recently with 10-15 students total. I never saw less than hundreds in the early 2000s.

OU's basketball attendance and enthusiasm during the entire Kelvin Sampson era (most of 1990s-2000s) was significantly better than it is now. When I was an undergrad OU students (2000-2004) were good, not great. OU students do not support the team well at all. I was at a game recently with 10-15 students total. I never saw less than hundreds in the early 2000s.

Same goes for OSU in the Eddie Sutton era. People need to understand that there will be different coaches coming through these schools as always and things won't always be the same. Scoring tickets for these college games are much more affordable than Thunder games. Also, it comes down to the universities typically being a football or basketball school. There aren't very many D-1 programs that continually have two programs in the Top 25 and can keep up the support.

Both Kelvin and Eddie were pre-Thunder. Those teams will still draw big for bigger conference games but non-cons against no name schools aren't going to compete with the Lakers.

Both Kelvin and Eddie were pre-Thunder. Those teams will still draw big for bigger conference games but non-cons against no name schools aren't going to compete with the Lakers.

Yeah, I'm not a tard. Just saying that OSU and OU basketball has gone by the wayside even after they left which was during the void before NBA and basketball attendance for both programs have been lacking ever since.

OU/LA Tech going into OT thanks to an amazing Cameron Clark turnaround 3 pointer.

Not a good weekend for the Pokes...

Not coincidentally after that big win, the Sooners got a commitment today from the 5-star #1 ranked RB in the country, Joe Mixon.



Cool photo of fans meeting the team at the Switzer Center:

https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1549552_10152135612425638_779701099_n.jpg

That is wonderful, Pete, but this the basketball thread. :)

On that note, it looks like this is a wide open Big 12 race this year with OSU losing at KState and OU getting their first win in Austin in 8 years. Who knows what is going to happen.

OSU will fall from glory. Michael Cobbins is a huge loss to our interior defense.

OSU will fall from glory. Michael Cobbins is a huge loss to our interior defense.

I agree that will hurt but I think the league race is still wide open.

The top 25 now has 5 Big 12 teams now that OU has moved in. KU beat ISU at Ames tonight. As I said before, this should be a very interesting season.

That is wonderful, Pete, but this the basketball thread. :)

On that note, it looks like this is a wide open Big 12 race this year with OSU losing at KState and OU getting their first win in Austin in 8 years. Who knows what is going to happen.

Wide open? Ha. KU will win the conference quite easily. OSU was te only one that could have competed for it but the loss of Cobbins leaves them with a much thinner front court.

Cobbins was big time on defense. Kamari Murphey can step up and I believe Kamari can be a better offensive player for us. Hopefully, the offense will outweigh the missed defense.

Tech is killing Baylor.

Congrats to the Sooners on winning the first Bedlam game this year. They are now alone in 2nd in the Big 12 and are 17 - 4 overall. Lon is having an unexpectedly good season this year so far.

It was also nice to see a very full looking arena on a night when the Thunder were having a home game.

Sooners played the Cowboys in another spirited bedlam battle. Lon Kruger has taken this young team to new heights. Just think about what he could have done with Jeff Capel's group?


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Forget that group of nitwits that Capel recruited.... Look at what Kruger's going to have to work with for the next 2 years. Specifically the 2nd year when he will potentially have 4 Seniors and a Junior in his starting lineup. The Sooners may give my Jayhawks a challenge for the championship the next several years. Especially if they can pick up/develop a decent big man to play in the post.

Spangler's a workhorse but at 6' 8" he would be better suited at the 4 spot with a bigger forward or center playing the 5. This year it's working great because Cam showed last year that the 4 spot was a better position for him and this year he is excelling at the 4.

Forget that group of nitwits that Capel recruited.... Look at what Kruger's going to have to work with for the next 2 years. Specifically the 2nd year when he will potentially have 4 Seniors and a Junior in his starting lineup. The Sooners may give my Jayhawks a challenge for the championship the next several years. Especially if they can pick up/develop a decent big man to play in the post.

Spangler's a workhorse but at 6' 8" he would be better suited at the 4 spot with a bigger forward or center playing the 5. This year it's working great because Cam showed last year that the 4 spot was a better position for him and this year he is excelling at the 4.

I agree with you.
Supposedly OU is bring in a good big man and some other very good recruits.


Kruger will do his job well, but only to a point.
Its time OU fans did their job and start attending OU basketball games or possibly risk losing a great basketball coach...!

If OU fans will start showing up in mass there is a respectable possibility that OU may build a new arena for its basketball teams which would help recruit even better players.

I revise my original statement. OSU will be lucky to be above a 6 seed if they make the NCAA tourney. Travis Ford is a helluva recruiter but sucks at coaching. I'm not blaming injury. Too much talent but lack of player management.