OSSAA RANKINGS CLASS B WEEK 1

Okay so they were 11-5 and should have been ranked based on their wins over stringtown (even though stringtown was an unknown last year at that time because of their weak schedule) & Valliant. I think those examples of who teams lose to by 2 points is an overreach. There are definitely lazy coaches out there that only look at rankings, don't rank when their team isn't doing well, or not do their homework when they aren't any good. However, most do it correctly and the Tushka example is far and few between. It's also harder in A & B because you have 96 teams you're supposed to know about.

They definitely mean something, they are used to balance out the brackets as best as possible. They are also pretty accurate.

B - #s 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, & 8 made state.

A - #s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

2A - #s 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9.

The best 8 teams don't always make state, just like the best team doesn't always win state. When 2 good teams play anything can happen.

I think what Hunter was saying is, the good teams are gonna be win regardless of where they are ranked. And that adds to my point a little bit too. Teams not being deserving of a higher rank making it harder for a lower ranked, but better team to get to the big dance. And it is all based off of playoff draws.

Oklahoma's basketball playoff system is one of the best in the country. Every team makes the playoffs and is not excluded. Unless you have a first round elimination game,
the rest of the playoff series is double elimination until the state tournament. No ranking system in the regular season will ever be perfect, just as it is doubtful that a player, coach, or referee will ever perform perfectly. Having said all that, the current ranking system gets as close to accurate imo, than any of the previous systems that were used in past years. When the Oklahoma City and Tulsa news papers did the rankings, people were accusatory that coaches that were friends or influential with certain writers had the advantage. The current system allows coaches to see how other coaches rank each week and is as transparent as it can be imo. Some people say that , especially for class A & B there should be one more week of rankings to determine the playoffs, and this might be something to consider. Also something to consider for the OSSAA is to not just use the very last rankings to set the playoffs, but to use an average of the total weeks that teams are ranked. I've watched Oklahoma basketball for many many years and even with its flaws the current system of ranking and playoffs consistently gets the best teams in each class to the state tournament and still gives a team like last year's Tushka team a fair shot to fight their way to a championship. Double elimination format allows a team to stub their toe in regionals or area and still make the state tournament. No system will solve every issue that can be thrown out for discussion.

What we need is to go to districts. I know 5A and 6A wants it bad

Tushka was 13-8 at the end of January with losses to: Boswell (B) x 2, Rattan (top 10 A), Stuart (top 10 A), Silo (top 20 2A), Calera (top 20 2A), Lone Grove (3A), Caddo (Top 4 A). They had some impressive wins too. Hindsight they should have been ranked in the top 20, but I would call anyone a liar who believe back on January 28th 2022, that Tushka should have been ranked in the top 10, much less top 5? Especially when they lost to two teams (Rattan & Caddo: that clearly demonstrated they were also good enough to compete for the gold ball last year). 


Taking NOTHING away from Tushka, but they were the unicorn. Their story will be talked about 25 years from now because unranked teams don't win gold balls.  

In conclusion, I don't think using Tushka to bash the ranking system is fair. IMO.

The East is the buddy system. It’s not even close

The buddy system is such a weak & over exaggerated argument. Coaches usually agree on the top 5, have 6-15 all the same, then give teams in their area favoritism in a few spots in 16-20. Most coaches give a slight bump to their area teams because they see them often and think highly of their area. It all balances out & is a very good system.

Whoever wants it to go back to the media is insane, that was a horrible system that had less informed, fewer people, & harder biases make decisions.

A district system wouldn’t be terrible, as long as it’s still all inclusive & double elimination.

Roundball

Yeah, I’m sure the Daily Oklahoman has PLENTY of resources available to its payroll to send 20 staffers out to cover 8 classes (16 when you factor in girls teams too). Watching games from across the state from Idabel to Guymon. 20 staffers isn’t near enough to cover it. I’m not sure how informed you are, but the current newspaper outlets aren’t doing very well in the money dept. Do you really, really think a 22yr old newbie at the Oklahoman is MORE informed about Slapout, Hooker, Beaver, Tyrone & so on?!?!