Even Sooners Suprised by Seed

Count Oklahoma among those caught off guard by the No. 6 seed it received in the men's NCAA Tournament East Regional. See what Coach Jeff Capel and the Sooners had to say when they heard the news...

Prognosticators around the country had Oklahoma pegged for a No. 8 seed or – at best – a No. 7 seed as the NCAA Tournament selections approached.

Imagine their surprise when the brackets were released and the Sooners were a No. 6 seed in the East Region.

In fact, it surprised several of the Sooners, including head coach Jeff Capel.

"I wasn't really paying attention, I was writing on my bracket,” Capel said. “We are really happy, really excited and really anxious to get going.”

Others were caught off guard as well, expecting to be a lower seed and announced later in the selection show.

"I was surprised. I think most of us were expecting a seven seed,” junior forward Taylor Griffin said. “Being a six seed is great for us. It was a surprise but a good surprise. For a team a couple of weeks ago people were talking about as 'on the bubble,' to have a six seed is great."

Added freshman forward Blake Griffin: "I wasn't even looking when our name first came up and I heard some people say something and I looked up. I was pretty surprised we were a six seed, but we'll take whatever we can get. I was looking for a seven, but six is even better."

Count senior center Longar Longar among those caught off guard.

"It came quick, I wasn't even paying attention,” he said. “I looked up and saw the number six seed and Oklahoma and started wondering who we would play next. Saint Joseph's is a good team.”

Oklahoma plays No. 11 seed St. Joseph’s on Friday in Birmingham, Ala. The winner will advance to play the winner of No. 3 seed Lousville and No. 14 seed Boise State.