No. 9 Oklahoma has played its way into the Top 10 and probably into the NCAA Tournament by beating four Top 10 teams in the month of January.

The latest conquest was a 66-61 win over then No. 9 Ala bama Sunday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. It was even more impressive because OU was without its top scorer Austin Reaves and starter Alonde Williams due to the coronavirus protocol.

“Oklahoma is a well-coached team that plays really hard,” said Alabama coach Nate Oats. “They had a great defensive game plan. These guys are really good.’

OU, which was still shorthanded, lost to No. 13 Texas Tech Monday night, 52-57, in Lubbock.

OU broke Alabama’s 10-game win streak.OU is the first team since 1974 to have four victories over a Top-10 foe in one month, according to Associated Press rankings.

“It’s huge,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. “Anytime you can win a game like that is big from a résumé standpoint, big from a confidence standpoint, momentum. It’s continuing to move in the right direction. Those wins, you never take those for granted.”

OU beat No. 9 West Virginia, No. 9 Kansas, No. 5 Texas and No. 9 Alabama in January. All were in the Top 10 when they played OU.

In the Big 12/SEC Challenge, the Big 12 won four and lost five. No. 24 OU beat No. 9 Alabama, No. 2 Baylor beat Auburn, No. 10 Texas Tech beat LSU and OSU beat Arkansas. For the SEC, Florida beat No. 11 West Virginia, Missouri defeated TCU, No. 15 Kansas lost to No. 18 Tennessee and Texas A&M beat Kansas State. The game between No. 5 Texas and Kentucky was canceled due to the coronarvirus pandemic.

OU’s De’Vion Harmon led the Sooners with 18 points, Elijah Harkless had 14 and Brady Manek contributed12.

Manek may finally be back in playing shape after his bout with the coronavirus. He sympathized with Reaves and Williams.

“Just got to make sure their mind’s right,” Manek said. “It takes a toll on you, sitting at home watching guys you practice with every single day. It’s not fun. It sucks, honestly. Wish they were here, wish they could’ve experienced that. It was a big-time game and got a couple more ahead. We need them back.”