Random Tournament Thoughts

Nobody is talking about the OSU women. Let’s change that.

Kurt Budke has guided the biggest turnaround in women’s Division 1 basketball this season.
This team won six…that’s right six…games all of last season (including o-16 in conference and a first round exit in the conference tourney)

If OSU wins against Kansas tomorrow night the 21 wins will rank 3rd on the all-time single seasons win list at OSU. I believe the Cowgirls are in the NCAA tournament. A win tomorrow and there is no doubt about it.

Don’t be surprised if the ladies upset Baylor in the 2nd round. Budke should be up for National Coach of the Year.

Sherri Coale has done it again. Her Sooners are playing their best basketball of the season right now. The freshman, Plumley and Thompson, have been major difference makers. OU will become the first 2-seed to win the Big 12 Tournament Championship.

One more women’s note…
I covered Gary Blair in his first year as the head coach at A&M. The program was not in good shape. This guy can coach…in his second season he took the Aggies to the WNIT. Last year he went to the NCAA. This year his girls won the Big 12. Not a bad turnaround. The Ags will come up just short in the upcoming Big 12 Tourney.

As for the men….
OSU lacks heart. This team MUST win the Big 12 to get in the Big Dance. The chances of that happening are about as good as the chances of the Pokes coming back from the 16-point beat down they are enduring in Lincoln right now. I thought OSU would defeat Nebraska Thursday in Oklahoma City. After tonight’s display I’m not so sure. Obi is playing well, too bad the frosh is getting no help. OSU will make a first round exit.

OU lacks talent. Give this group credit, they play hard. They do not always play well but they give great effort. OU has lost six games in a row, they finished 6-10 in conference and without couple of wins in the Big 12 Tourney, the Sooners will end the nation’s longest postseason streak. I expect Oklahoma to beat Iowa State in the 1st round. OU will be back in Norman by 4 o’clock on Friday when KU takes them behind the woodshed.