Can Oklahoma Basketball Make ESPN's Top 25 Rankings This Season?

As I sit here scrolling through ESPN's preseason basketball coverage, I can't help but wonder about Oklahoma's chances of cracking their prestigious Top 25 rankings this season. Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen programs rise and fall, but there's something particularly intriguing about this Oklahoma squad that keeps pulling me back to analyze their potential. The Sooners finished last season with a respectable 19-15 record, but more importantly, they showed flashes of brilliance that suggest they might be on the verge of something special.

When I think about what separates good teams from ranked teams, I'm reminded of that powerful quote from Sangiao about his fighting experience: "That fight showed me how far I truly am from reaching my goals. I have to add more skills, more techniques, and be more composed." This mentality perfectly captures what Oklahoma basketball needs to embrace if they want to make that leap into the national spotlight. Last season, they ranked 78th nationally in offensive efficiency according to KenPom metrics, which simply won't cut it for a Top 25 team. Their defense was slightly better at 45th, but still needs significant improvement. What I've noticed watching Porter Moser's teams over the years is that they often start strong but struggle to maintain consistency through the grueling Big 12 schedule.

Looking at their roster construction, Oklahoma returns approximately 68% of their scoring from last season, which gives them valuable continuity that many programs would envy. Their backcourt features Milos Uzan, who averaged 12.3 points and 4.7 assists last year, and I genuinely believe he's poised for a breakout season. The addition of transfers like Javian McCollum from Siena could provide the scoring punch they desperately need in clutch moments. But here's where I might differ from some analysts – I'm particularly excited about their frontcourt development. Sam Godwin showed tremendous growth last season, and if he can improve his rebounding numbers from 5.2 to somewhere around 7-8 per game, that would completely change their interior presence.

The Big 12 conference remains an absolute gauntlet, with Kansas, Texas, and Baylor all likely starting the season in the Top 15. Oklahoma's non-conference schedule features several opportunities for statement wins, including games against USC and potentially Arkansas in the preseason NIT. In my experience watching college basketball, these early-season tournaments often reveal a team's true character. Last year, Oklahoma went 2-7 against ranked opponents, and that's the kind of statistic that keeps you out of the rankings. They need to show they can win those tough games, not just compete in them.

What really sticks with me from Sangiao's reflection is the part where he said, "That loss basically made me realize that just when I thought I knew it all, I don't." This resonates because Oklahoma's players seemed to hit a wall last February, losing five of seven games during a critical stretch. The coaching staff needs to ensure they're adding new wrinkles throughout the season, developing players' skills continuously rather than relying on the same strategies that worked in November. I've noticed Moser implementing more modern offensive sets during their preseason scrimmages, which suggests they're learning from past mistakes.

The analytics tell an interesting story – Oklahoma finished last season ranked 47th in the NET rankings, which means they were essentially knocking on the door of the Top 25 but couldn't quite break through. Their three-point shooting percentage of 34.1% ranked 145th nationally, and that's an area where I believe they can make significant improvements. Having spoken with several basketball development experts, I'm convinced that with the right shooting coach and dedicated practice, teams can typically improve their three-point percentage by 2-3% in a single offseason. If Oklahoma can reach even 36%, that would transform their offensive spacing and create more driving lanes for their guards.

When I look at comparable programs that successfully made the jump into the rankings, they typically shared certain characteristics that Oklahoma seems to be developing. Strong leadership from upperclassmen, consistent defensive effort, and the ability to win close games – last season Oklahoma went 6-4 in games decided by five points or fewer, which isn't terrible but needs to be better. What gives me hope is seeing how hard this team has worked in the offseason. Multiple players stayed on campus to train together, and that kind of dedication often pays dividends when the season gets tough.

The path to the Top 25 isn't straightforward, but I'm cautiously optimistic about Oklahoma's chances. They need to start strong, probably winning at least nine of their first eleven games, and then steal a couple of upsets in conference play. If they can finish with around 22 wins and avoid bad losses to inferior opponents, I believe they'll find themselves in the rankings by February. The development of their sophomore class will be crucial – Otega Oweh in particular has shown flashes of being a special player, and if he can become more consistent from beyond the arc, he could be the difference-maker they need.

Ultimately, making the ESPN Top 25 comes down to proving you belong there week after week. It's about responding to adversity with growth, much like Sangiao described in his reflection. The Sooners have the talent and coaching to make that leap, but they need to demonstrate the mental toughness and continuous improvement that separates ranked teams from the rest. As someone who's watched this program through both good and bad seasons, I'm genuinely excited to see if this is the year they put it all together and earn that national recognition they've been chasing.