As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the Oklahoma Sooners are making a compelling case to snag one of those coveted final spots. With Selection Sunday just around the corner, the Sooners' prospects are looking brighter, thanks in part to a favorable day of conference tournament action.
Bracket expert Joe Lunardi has moved Oklahoma up to the third spot among the teams just outside the 68-team field. Only Indiana and New Mexico stand between them and a tournament berth.
Interestingly, Lunardi's projections also show Auburn as the last team currently in. The Sooners, however, boast a better record than Auburn in their shared conference and recently dominated the Tigers with a decisive 91-79 victory.
If it comes down to these two teams, Oklahoma might just have the edge.
CBS Sports shares a similar view, placing Oklahoma as the second team out, trailing only New Mexico. Auburn, again, is listed as the last team in.
Before their recent win over South Carolina in the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, Lunardi noted that Oklahoma would need to secure three wins in the conference tournament to be seriously considered for the NCAA Tournament. This would not only extend their winning streak to seven games but also bring their record to a solid 20-14.
The Sooners took care of business against South Carolina, and the stars seemed to align for them elsewhere. Of the seven teams initially ahead of Oklahoma on Lunardi's bubble list, only Auburn managed to win, allowing the Sooners to climb higher in the rankings.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma faces Texas A&M. A victory is crucial to keep their momentum going.
Auburn's matchup against Tennessee could further clear the path for the Sooners if the Tigers falter. Meanwhile, New Mexico needs a strong showing in the Mountain West Tournament to maintain their edge over Oklahoma.
Indiana's recent loss has already diminished their chances, potentially opening another door for the Sooners.
It's quite the turnaround for Porter Moser's squad, who seemed out of the running during much of the SEC play. Now, with everything clicking at the right moment, the Sooners are making a late push to dance in March.