Baylor overshadowed almost everything on the Big 12 this season, while trying to complete an undefeated season.
Oklahoma has made a statement of its own.
With a win, then … No. 9 On Saturday, in Alabama, the Sooners became only the second team in 25 years to win three consecutive opponents in the top 10. Oklahoma is also the first team since 1974 to win four top-10 teams in the same month.
The Sooners race led to a huge leap in this week’s Associated Press men’s basketball poll. Oklahoma moved up 15 places to 9th in the Top 25 released on Monday, its highest ranking since reaching 4th position in 2017-18.
“Whenever you can win a game like this, it’s important from the point of view of the curriculum, great from the point of view of confidence, of momentum,” said Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger after the 66-61 victory over Crimson Tide. “He continues to move in the right direction. These wins, you never take them for granted.”
Oklahoma had to replace top scorer and rebound Kristian Doolittle this season and was chosen to finish sixth in the pre-season poll of the big 12.
The Sooners had an unstable start on the Big 12, opening 2-3 after defeats to Baylor and Kansas.
Oklahoma (11-4, 6-3 Big 12) has had a good run since then, taking down then-No. 9 Kansas, No. 5 Texas and Alabama.
The Sooners, who defeated No. 17 West Virginia earlier this month, eliminated the Crimson Tide despite playing without Austin Reaves and owner of playmaker Alondes Williams due to the COVID-19 protocols.
“I thought these guys (Oklahoma), they play hard at first and then when they’re losing two games, they really accepted,” said Alabama coach Nate Oats.
ON THE TOP
Gonzaga and Baylor remained at the top of the poll for the 11th consecutive week.
The Zags (17-0, 8-0 West Coast) received 61 first-place votes from a media panel to stay in first place after defeating San Diego and Pepperdine last week. The Bears (16-0, 8-0 Big 12) received the other three first place votes after wins over Kansas State and Auburn.
Villanova and Michigan remained at numbers 3 and 4, with Houston completing the top five. Cougars have had their highest ranking since the Phi Slama Jama team reached second place in 1983-84.
LOVE THE DRAKE
Drake won 24 games in his first season under coach Darian DeVries and had 20 last year before the pandemic canceled everyone’s season.
The Bulldogs took the next step this year, going through an undefeated season.
Coming from three wins last week, Drake was ranked for the first time since 2007-08 in this week’s survey in 25th place.
The Bulldogs (16-0, 7-0 Missouri Valley through Sunday) recovered from an 11-point deficit to beat Illinois State 78-76 in overtime over the weekend and are starting their best start in 13 years.
INCREASE
Oklahoma had by far the biggest leap in research this week, but Ohio’s seventh state was also in the top 10 as it climbed six positions. The Buckeyes beat Penn State and crushed Michigan State last week.
No. 11, Tennessee, moved up seven places after beating Kansas by 19. 19. No. 12 Illinois also moved up seven places after a five-point victory over Iowa, which dropped three to eighth.
FALL
The 17th West Virginia dropped six positions after a home loss to Florida and a one point victory over the 13th Texas Tech. … No. 14 Virginia also dropped six positions after a 14-point loss at Virginia Tech, as well as No. 18 Missouri after losing to Auburn last week. … No. 19 Wisconsin dropped five points after being eliminated by Michigan.
IN AND OUT
Florida entered the poll for the first time this season in 22nd position, after its victory over West Virginia. … No. 24 Purdue also made his season debut this week with a win over Minnesota. The Gophers fell from No. 21. … Saint Louis fell from No. 22 after a loss to Dayton and Louisville left from No. 25 after losing to Clemson.