Steve Lutz Believes in Rivalries, Hopes to Continue Bedlam Moving Forward

Rivalries are important, but a win over the Sooners could have even more meaning for the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will meet on the hardwood for the 250th time on Saturday, but for the first time as programs from different conferences since 1957 and, as of yet, there is nothing concrete on the schedule in terms of a future edition. So, it’s somewhat fitting that the game should take place at a neutral venue in OKC.

Also new in the rivalry is the Cowboys’ head coach. Steve Lutz took the reins of the program this offseason but has been vocal about his support of Bedlam as an institution from the moment he stepped in.

“I believe in the rivalries,” said Lutz during his pre-Bedlam media availability on Thursday. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be at Indiana-Purdue, Creighton-Marquette. Those are fun games and they’re good for college basketball.”

But his interest in this upcoming game has more practical and prescient ties than a 100-plus year in-state grudge-fest. His Cowboys are 6-2, coming off consecutive wins, but the No. 13 Sooners are undefeated and have their eyes on remaining so when they start their inaugural SEC campaign next month.

Lutz said he’s all for the bad blood and the spectacle that can be a storied rivalry like this, but he’s been sure to explain to his players what a win on Saturday could mean for one of their ultimate goals, to make the NCAA Tournament.

“You can’t ever ignore the fact that this is a big rivalry within your state and Sooners don’t like Cowboys, and vice versa,” Lutz said. “So you don’t ever ignore it. But, does it define whether we win the Big 12 or whether we go to the NCAA Tournament? No, it does not.

“Now, with that being said, I’m honest with them about NET rankings and RPI and those sorts of things. Winning this game, that’ll help us in March, but then you’ve still got to go win in the Big 12 and put yourself in a position to have the help there for you in March.”

Selection Sunday is a long way away, with a lot of hoops still to be played, and so is next season, but Lutz says he’s already had conversations about keeping the rivalry going well into its post-Big 12 era.

“[Oklahoma head coach] Porter [Moser] and I have already talked about next year, and we’re hoping to continue it,” Lutz said. “I think it’s good for our state. It’s good for basketball.”

The Cowboys and Sooners square off at 7 p.m. Saturday inside Paycom Center Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPNU.