After a difficult week, can the Oklahoma Sooners qualify for the NCAA Tournament?

As the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament approaches, the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves at a crucial juncture in the season. After a difficult week, which included unexpected losses and a few near-misses, the team’s hopes for qualifying for the NCAA Tournament are hanging in the balance. However, this is far from the end of the road for the Sooners. Despite the setbacks, there remains plenty of time for Oklahoma to regain its momentum, secure key victories, and position itself for a spot in the prestigious NCAA Tournament.

As one of the premier programs in the country, Oklahoma has the talent, coaching, and history to overcome a rough patch. However, securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament will require the Sooners to regroup, make adjustments, and capitalize on the remaining opportunities in front of them. This article will examine the challenges the Sooners face, the keys to their success, and whether they can ultimately qualify for March Madness.

A Rocky Week for the Sooners

To fully understand the gravity of Oklahoma’s situation, it’s important to reflect on the difficult week the team has just experienced. Following a string of promising victories that saw them move into the top tier of the Big 12 standings, the Sooners stumbled during a critical stretch of games. Their week began with a hard-fought but narrow loss to Kansas State, a team that has consistently proven difficult for Oklahoma to handle. The loss revealed cracks in the Sooners’ defense and highlighted some areas of vulnerability on the offensive end.

After this loss, the Sooners entered their next matchup with Texas, one of the top teams in the Big 12. In a high-stakes contest that could have helped their chances for a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament, Oklahoma fell short once again. The game exposed Oklahoma’s inability to execute under pressure, especially in the final moments of tight games. The Sooners’ offensive execution faltered, and they struggled to find a rhythm on both ends of the floor, eventually leading to a disappointing 68-62 loss.

To make matters worse, the Sooners dropped a third consecutive game to Oklahoma State, a team they had beaten earlier in the season. This third loss was particularly concerning as it was a winnable game that would have kept the Sooners’ tournament hopes alive. The defeat raised questions about their mental toughness and ability to close out games when the stakes were highest.

In just one week, the Sooners’ prospects for an NCAA Tournament berth seemed to slip further away, with questions about their tournament resume and whether they could recover in time to seal the deal. While it is clear the team faced some tough breaks, the week also presented a critical opportunity for growth, adjustment, and recalibration heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

What the Sooners Must Do to Qualify for the NCAA Tournament

While a challenging week has certainly put the Oklahoma Sooners’ NCAA Tournament dreams in jeopardy, the road to qualification is far from over. With several games remaining in the regular season, including matchups against formidable Big 12 opponents, the Sooners still have plenty of opportunities to improve their resume and secure the crucial wins needed to solidify their place in the NCAA Tournament field. Here are some areas where the Sooners must focus if they want to make a successful late-season push for qualification:

1. Resilient Play in Close Games

The Sooners’ inability to close out tight games has been one of the most glaring issues during their tough week. They have proven that they can compete with some of the top teams in the nation, but they have also struggled to execute when it matters most. Whether it’s in the closing minutes of regulation or during overtime periods, Oklahoma has found it difficult to finish strong.

To qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the Sooners will need to demonstrate greater resilience in these critical moments. The ability to stay composed, execute under pressure, and make key plays in the final minutes will be the difference between an NCAA Tournament berth and another season spent on the bubble. Head coach Jennie Baranczyk will need to draw upon her leadership and tactical experience to help the Sooners become a more mentally tough team that can handle adversity.

2. Improved Defensive Consistency

Oklahoma’s defense has been another area of concern throughout their recent slide. In their losses to Kansas State, Texas, and Oklahoma State, the Sooners allowed high-scoring games, which undermined their offensive efforts. While Oklahoma has shown the ability to score in bunches, they have often failed to get stops when needed. Whether it’s limiting second-chance opportunities or locking down opposing shooters, the Sooners must become a more consistent defensive unit.

Defensive discipline and focus are essential if the Sooners are to be competitive against the toughest teams in the NCAA Tournament. Baranczyk must instill a defensive-first mentality in her players and emphasize the importance of key individual matchups. Oklahoma has some great defenders, but they must work together more cohesively to contain opposing offenses and prevent big runs.

3. Key Players Stepping Up

The Sooners have some of the best talent in the Big 12, but during their recent losing streak, their stars have not always been able to carry the load. Madi Williams, Taylor Robertson, and Nevaeh Tot are the core of the Sooners’ roster, and each of them must play at an elite level if the team is to make a push for the NCAA Tournament.

• Madi Williams has been Oklahoma’s go-to player for much of the season, but during the tough week, she was unable to shoulder the offensive load on her own. She needs to be more aggressive and assertive in all aspects of the game, from scoring to rebounding and providing leadership.
• Taylor Robertson, known for her three-point shooting, has been a key offensive weapon for Oklahoma, but her shooting has been streaky at times. Robertson will need to find more consistency, particularly in high-pressure games, to ensure that Oklahoma can compete against other high-ranking teams.
• Nevaeh Tot has emerged as an exciting young talent for the Sooners, but she must continue to develop her game and provide much-needed energy, especially in difficult matchups.

These players, along with others on the roster, will need to step up in a big way in the final stretch of the regular season. For Oklahoma to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, it will take all hands on deck, with each player performing at their best when it counts.

4. Key Wins and Quality Opponents

The remaining regular-season schedule is full of opportunities for Oklahoma to pick up quality wins. The Sooners will need to focus on securing victories against ranked teams and tough opponents within the Big 12. These wins are essential for improving their strength of schedule and making a case for a spot in the NCAA Tournament field.

Oklahoma must focus on two things in particular: avoiding bad losses and securing signature wins. A bad loss could knock them off the bubble, while a signature win would demonstrate their ability to perform on the big stage. Matchups against teams like Baylor, Texas, and Kansas State will be crucial, as these teams are not only in the thick of the Big 12 race but also on the radar of NCAA Tournament selection committees.

5. The Impact of the Big 12 Tournament

While the regular season is important, the Big 12 Tournament will provide one final opportunity for the Sooners to solidify their NCAA Tournament case. A strong performance in the tournament could be the tipping point that pushes Oklahoma into the field of 64, while an early exit could doom their chances. A deep run in the Big 12 Tournament would significantly improve Oklahoma’s profile and boost their chances of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

The Road to March Madness: Can Oklahoma Make It?

The next few weeks will be critical for the Oklahoma Sooners as they navigate a difficult stretch in their schedule. While their recent struggles have made things more difficult, the Sooners are far from out of the race for an NCAA Tournament berth. With key players like Madi Williams, Taylor Robertson, and Nevaeh Tot capable of carrying the team, and a coach in Jennie Baranczyk who has already proven her ability to guide the team through challenging moments, Oklahoma still has everything it takes to secure a spot in the tournament.

Oklahoma must make adjustments, improve in critical areas, and capitalize on opportunities. Their NCAA Tournament hopes rest on how they respond to adversity and whether they can perform at their highest level when it matters most. With games remaining against quality opponents and the Big 12 Tournament on the horizon, the Sooners still have time to right the ship.

If the Sooners can overcome their recent struggles, play with confidence, and secure key wins in the final weeks of the regular season, there is no reason why they can’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament. The road ahead won’t be easy, but with the right mindset and performance, the Oklahoma Sooners are more than capable of securing their place in March Madness.