Mar 14, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lon Kruger talks with guard Sam Grooms (1) against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half during the second round of the Big 12 tournament at the Sprint Center. Iowa State defeated Oklahoma 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports (Selection Sunday)

Despite losing to the worst team in the Big 12 in the final regular season game and then losing to the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 tournament, the Oklahoma Sooners made the NCAA March Madness tournament brackets on Selection Sunday 2013 as a No. 10 seed.

Romero Osby had to be feeling nervous after the Sooners last two losses, considering his former team in Mississippi State missed out on March Madness with more wins than Oklahoma ended up with this season. However, thanks to strong Big 12 play throughout the year, head coach Lon Kruger has the Sooners back in the Big Dance for the first time since Blake Griffin played in Norman. Selection Sunday was very good to Lon Kruger and his Oklahoma Sooners basketball team.

Lon Kruger became the first head coach in NCAA D1 history to lead five different programs to the NCAA Tournament. He previously led the Kansas State Wildcats, Florida Gators, Illinois Illini and UNLV Runnin’ Rebels to the Big Dance. In the first round, his Sooners will play a team he is familiar with, the San Diego State Aztecs, a team his UNLV squad feuded with for years.

“Exciting day,” said Kruger. “Any time you can be a part of Selection Sunday, you feel great about that. It’s hard to get in the field; there are a lot of great teams out there. Most of the (players) calling right after the announcement to family and friends, we haven’t had the opportunity to do that before. Especially the seniors; I’m really happy for them. Happy for everyone.”

The Oklahoma Sooners (20-11) play San Diego State (22-10) on Friday, March 22, in their first round match. If they win that one, they take on the winner of the No. 2 Georgetown vs. No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast game on Sunday.