Oklahoma Sooners
Head coach: Lon Kruger (4th season)
Record: 24-10, 12-6 Big 12
Season summary: Led by Big 12 Player of the Year Buddy Hield and his 17.5 points per game, the Sooners overcame a brutal conference schedule to contend for the regular-season league title, eventually finishing a game behind Kansas. Hield and fellow guards Jordan Woodard and Isaiah Cousins lead the way for Oklahoma, but the reason the Sooners have a chance to make a run is their improved frontcourt of TaShawn Thomas and Ryan Spangler. The duo combines for 21.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game and usually takes advantage when defenses pay too much attention to the guards' dribble penetration.
Despite being able to score at all five positions, Oklahoma relies on its defense to stay in games when its offense goes cold, ranking fifth in basketball statistician Ken Pomeroy's adjusted defense metric. If the Sooners get timely bench production from sharpshooter Frank Booker and big man Khadeem Lattin, they will be a tough out and resemble the team that beat Kansas, Iowa State and Baylor at home.
How they make a run: Hield becomes the next great guard to make a name for himself in the tournament, getting the necessary help from his supporting cast to carry Oklahoma to Indianapolis.
How they falter: The Sooners fall in love with the jump shot and forget about their strength inside, bricking their way to another early-round exit.
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