Big 12 dominance means fewer opportunities for quality wins in conference play
In this week's episode of The Jones Report, Roundtable Sooners publisher Tyler Jones and Roundtable OkState editor Thomas Bridges deliver an in-depth analysis of the latest developments in Oklahoma and Oklahoma State men's basketball programs.
As both teams transition into the heart of their conference schedules—the Sooners in the SEC and the Cowboys in the Big 12—the discussion centers on their respective paths to potential NCAA Tournament berths, with insights into resumes, schedules, and expectations for the coaches.
Jones and Bridges agree that the Oklahoma Sooners currently hold a clearer and more favorable route to March Madness compared to the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Heading into conference play as of late December 2025, both programs find themselves on the tournament bubble, with their resumes under heavy scrutiny from bracketologists.
ESPN's Joe Lunardi has positioned Oklahoma as one of the "Last Four In," often in play-in scenarios, while Oklahoma State lingers just outside as one of the "First Four Out."
This tight margin underscores how pivotal the coming weeks will be, as wins and losses in league play will directly compare and contrast their cases before the selection committee.
A key factor highlighted is the recent head-to-head matchup in the Bedlam rivalry, played on a neutral court in Oklahoma City on December 13, 2025, where Oklahoma emerged victorious with a convincing 85-76 win.
This Quad 1 victory bolsters the Sooners' profile significantly, especially given Oklahoma State's strong non-conference performance, which included an 11-1 record entering the new year.
Despite the Cowboys boasting a better overall win total in non-conference games, Oklahoma's tougher slate of opponents has built a more impressive strength-of-schedule metric.
The Sooners faced high-quality competition early on, including challenging matchups that prepared them better for the rigors ahead, even if it meant fewer wins outright.
Conference dynamics play a crucial role in the experts' assessment.
Last season, the SEC made history with an unprecedented performance, sending a record number of teams to the NCAA Tournament and crowning a national champion.
However, this year, the league has experienced a slight regression, with fewer dominant, top-heavy contenders emerging.
In contrast, the Big 12 has reclaimed its status as the nation's premier basketball conference, boasting multiple legitimate national title threats such as Arizona, Iowa State, Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, and Kansas.
Analysts note the Big 12's dominance in non-conference interleague play, including strong records against the SEC and ACC, signaling deeper overall quality.
For Oklahoma State, navigating the Big 12 means facing a gauntlet of elite teams week in and week out.
Quality wins will be scarce and hard-fought, as the Cowboys must contend with these powerhouse programs that are projected to secure high seeds and deep tournament runs.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, benefits from an SEC landscape that, while still robust and competitive, lacks the same concentration of unbeatable frontrunners at the very top.
This relative balance could allow the Sooners more opportunities for resume-building victories without as many insurmountable obstacles.
That said, both teams have realistic shots at dancing in March, and a strong conference showing could propel either—or potentially both—into comfortable at-large positions.
The panel emphasizes that bubble teams like these will have their fates decided by late-season momentum and key Quad 1 opportunities.
Turning to coaching expectations, Porter Moser at Oklahoma faces mounting pressure to not only qualify for the NCAA Tournament but to advance at least one round.
After guiding the Sooners to the Big Dance last season, consistent progress is demanded to signal that the program is trending upward in its new SEC home.
On the other side, Steve Lutz, in his second year at Oklahoma State, would earn widespread acclaim by leading the Cowboys to a tournament bid.
Coming off a rebuilding phase, simply returning to postseason play would mark a significant achievement and generate excitement among the fanbase.
Beyond the in-state rivals, this week's show features a special guest: Locked On Thunder host Rylan Stiles, who joins to provide the most up-to-date insights on the Oklahoma City Thunder as they navigate the NBA season.
Additionally, the episode includes a thorough recap and breakdown of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, analyzing key moments and implications for the semifinals.
The hosts also wrap up the final week of the NFL regular season, discussing playoff implications, standout performances, and predictions heading into the postseason.
Overall, this installment of The Jones Report offers fans a comprehensive look at Oklahoma basketball landscapes, blending expert analysis with broader sports coverage for an engaging listen as the new year approaches.