Fieldhouse Money: Boynton, Pokes Look to Two Straight in New-Look Big 12 Race

Forgive me for saying this both out loud and publicly, but Oklahoma State is just three games back of first place and one back of fourth place in the Big 12. Also of note: OSU is just one game out of last place! Not sure if you’ve heard about it yet this year, but the Big 12 is a bloodbath every night out.

The Cowboys head into Tuesday night’s tilt with Baylor needing a victory to get into the middle of a Big 12 race that’s starting to tighten. Not that anyone is delusional enough to think they can challenge for the top. But in a league where the best and worst teams could be bunched pretty close together at the end of the season, the Pokes could create a little separation from the bottom and further build their NCAA Tournament resume.

Looking at the standings, it’s hard to not think about what could have been if OSU had held on to beat Texas Tech and Kansas State, two games they could have (should have?) won. The flip side of that, of course, is that they could have just as easily lost to Iowa State, OU and Texas at home.

The Kansas win at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday did a couple of things for this team, though. It gave them a little house money to play with (think pennies, not dollars), and it provided them with a little shot of confidence going into the back half of the year.

As Mark Cooper pointed out this week, Mike Boynton made it a point on Saturday to talk about how OSU hasn’t won two straight all year in the Big 12. They need to change that on Tuesday with Baylor in town.

OSU is favored by 1.5 points on its home floor against a Baylor team that has lost four of its last five since whipping the Pokes in Waco. It might sound crazy, but this game will probably go a long way in determining whether OSU gets into the NCAA Tournament. Win it, and you’ve taken care of business. You can potentially (miraculously?) grab some more house money at WVU on Saturday. Lose it, and your back is against the wall once again.

That Kansas win, though, don’t forget it. Boynton made history in AFH on Saturday, and he turned OSU’s season on its head in the process. Can you hold serve, though? I hope so. OSU’s March hopes may depend on it.

Prior to Saturday, the last first-year head coach to win in Allen Fieldhouse was in 1980. Nice work @thacoachmike. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/xIl21an6E8

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 5, 2018