Daily Bullets (February 12)

The Good News

In context of the 2017-2018 Cowboy Basketball season, variables exist that are both helpful and out of OSU’s control concerning their tournament dreams.

The Big 12 is so deep and difficult that good teams can find themselves in a downward spiral threatening their NCAA hopes.

And because of that depth, a few wins can resuscitate those hopes for March.

“The great thing about the conference RPI and the nonconference that everybody had, you know when you got into conference play there weren’t going to be any bad losses,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Anyone you lose to, it’s not going down on your résumé as a bad loss. There’s only quality wins because of the success in the nonconference of everybody.” [Dallas Morning News]

Mitigating risk by not worrying about bad losses after Christmas Break is nice – plus the opportunity to significantly rebound on such a consistent basis that are both great.

Not a lot of separation here.

Big 12 schedule is now two-thirds complete. Teams 4-9 are separated by a game. pic.twitter.com/FcJshzqxjx

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) February 11, 2018

Bubble Teams

…And the end game for winning games in the Big 12 is making the Big Dance. NBS Sports had some pointed thoughts about OSU’s resume.

OKLAHOMA STATE (RPI: 107, KenPom: 71, NBC seed: Out): For the second time this season, Oklahoma State went on the road and knocked off one of the best teams in the Big 12. On Saturday, it was West Virginia that the Cowboys picked off.

The Pokes are just 15-10 on the season, but they are 4-7 against Quadrant 1 with just one loss outside the top two Quadrants. That was against Baylor at home. Frankly, the Pokes still have work to do, but a top ten road win and a top 25 road win keep them in the mix, and “in the mix” is far more than anyone expected out of OSU this season. [NBC Sports]

OSU will be an interesting case study – a bracket-busting team without a robust win column.

OSU and NCAA Notes

NCAA Selection Committee did a mid-season bracket with top 16 seeds….Boone says the secret to beating Trey Young is out….Kevin Peterson’s cousin from Wagoner is a disheartening/enlightening tale of the realities of college football recruiting….Three observations from OSU’s win over West Virginia….Recap of Big 12 Basketball from the weekend

Texas Tech, the pride of the Big 12.

Big 12 title chances (after round 12): Texas Tech 80%, KU 34%, WVU 9%, OU 1%.

— Ken Pomeroy (@kenpomeroy) February 11, 2018

Washington brought home the hardware this weekend.

Tonight the best receiver in college football is honored in Tallahassee, Florida at the @biletnikoffawrd banquet. A look back at the highlight-reel career of #okstate's James Washington. #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/mh9qu1tu29

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) February 10, 2018

Not worth shipwrecking your relationship – but if you’ve got a significant other that wants to cheer on the Cowboys with you on Valentine’s Day, hold onto that gem.

Next Up: What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than with the Cowboys?! Bring the LOVE and ROWDY to GIA on Wednesday as #okstate hosts K-State! #LetsWork #okstate pic.twitter.com/ketkVrVdB6

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 10, 2018

Cam McGriff owns big time road games.

The Cowboys picked up their second consecutive top-20 road win earlier today. Help us pick the top play from today's win in Morgantown! #LetsWork #okstate pic.twitter.com/d1ZcrQzWjI

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 10, 2018

Wowza.

Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina and Duke are the four winningest teams in college basketball history. They have a combined 26 losses and we aren't at St. Valentine's Day yet.

— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) February 11, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• A look at Lindy Waters’ huge three-pointers against West Virginia
• Five Interesting Stats from the huge win on Saturday
• Enjoy the cinematic highlights from the win over the Mountaineers
• Mike Boynton hit the recruiting trail on Saturday night
• Photos from OSU’s crushing Bedlam wrestling win on Sunday

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Pyeongchang – the pop-up Olympics was super interesting
• Oklahoma made The Economist for not fun reasons
• Listening to this Wall Street book over the weekend