Texas defense smothers Cowboys, who now await NCAA Tournament fate: Takeaways
Texas won impressively over Oklahoma State, 61-47, in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal on Thursday at T-Mobile Center.
That result made it three straight wins for Texas over the Cowboys this season. Here are three takeaways from the Longhorns’ victory:
Oklahoma State now sweats out NCAA selection
As long as it won, Oklahoma State controlled its NCAA Tournament fate. Now, that’s in the hands of the selection committee.
Entering Thursday, the Cowboys were considered among the last teams in or first teams out, depending on your favorite bracketologist.
With the loss, Oklahoma State falls to 18-15. In the history of the bracket, three teams with 15 losses have been selected as at-large teams: Vanderbilt in 2017, Florida in 2018 and Alabama in 2019. They were all 19-15.
Two teams have made the field at three games over .500: Kansas State in 1990 and Michigan in 2002. Both were 17-14.
But Oklahoma State’s case is compelling. They entered the Texas game with the No. 41 NET ranking, and only 14 teams had more than Oklahoma State’s six Quad 1 victories.
“I think we’ve done enough,” Cowboys coach Mike Boynton said.
Texas moves on without Allen
Texas played without forward Timmy Allen, who averages 10.5 and 5.5 rebounds. Coach Rodney Terry said Allen suffered a lower-leg injury against Kansas in the regular-season finale and wasn’t 100% on Thursday.
Getting a season-high 23 minutes was Dylan Disu, and he filled the gap with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
“There’s a mentality of next guy up on this team,” Texas guard Tyrese Hunter said. “Timmy was up cheering the whole game, supporting us.”
Texas, which improves to 24-8 and could be seeded as high as second in the NCAA Tournament, will meet Kansas State or TCU in the semifinals.
Cisse finally plays against Longhorns
Oklahoma State was hopeful that big man Mousse Cisse would be a difference-maker. The 6-10 defensive standout nursed injuries and was unavailable in the two regular season games won by Texas.
But Cisse did not have a big impact, finishing with five points and six rebounds.
Neither team shot well but the Cowboys were especially poor from deep, hitting 14.3 percent (3-of-21).