Oklahoma got in because of Trae Young. Nothing more, nothing less. The tournament is great television, and Trae Young has been marketed and hyped all season long. I don't follow college basketball closely until March, and even I heard about that guy all season long.
If it ever came down to Oklahoma and a similarly deserving team(s), which it did, Oklahoma would get in every time. Part of me wishes they'd just admit this, because this tournament is all about television and entertainment.