Some might argue that it's become easier to win in men's gymnastics; lots of college programs have fallen by the wayside over the years. But as the total number of college programs has gone down, the concentration of talent has gone up. Nearly every team on the schedule has some high-level gymnasts because there are only so many programs where these guys can go.

And because male gymnasts generally don't hit their peak until their early and mid-20s, these teams are often training grounds for America's future Olympians.

OU has doubt become a place where stars of the sport congregate — there's been at least one former Sooner on the past four Olympic teams — but Williams has a philosophy that doesn't always put his best gymnasts on the floor. Everything the coach does during the regular season is in preparation for the postseason. He will use lineups that allow him to see how his gymnasts perform when it counts and how judges are scoring certain elements of routines.

"It's building to our best lineup at the end of the season," Williams said, "and knowing who can perform under pressure."