Five Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 79-71 Win Over No. 6 Texas Tech

Just when you think you have this Oklahoma State hoops team pegged down, they go and do something wildly surprising like, you know, casually taking down No. 6 Texas Tech in a rather convincing fashion.

The Pokes rolled past the visiting Red Raiders 79-71 on Wednesday to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes afloat and, perhaps more stunningly, snatched up their first midweek Big 12 win of the season (!).

The Cowboys have been notoriously awful in the second half of their recent losses but bucked that trend like an angry bronco. Not only did they limit the Red Raiders to just 36 second-half points, but they caught fire in the final frame, scoring 45 in the final 20 minutes and hitting on 48 percent of their shots in that same span.

I have five thoughts. Let’s discuss.

1. OSU literally could do no wrong in the second half

I could barely believe my eyes. OSU’s made a habit of faltering late in games (and nearly did it again on Wednesday), but there was a stretch in the second half where they went on a 14-0 run and distanced themselves just enough to create a gap Texas Tech wasn’t able to bridge.

Everything was falling and it was marvelous.

The Cowboys hit 48 percent of their shots from the floor and 7 of their 14 3-pointers in the second frame, and basically everyone got involved. Lindy Waters had a career night with 18 points on a perfect 6 of 6 (and 4 of 4 from 3), and six total Pokes hit from beyond the arc at least once.

2. Livin’ and dyin’ by the 3

The 3-ball can be your best friend and also your worst enemy.

During that 14-0 run I mentioned, Carroll was banging in triples like Steph Curry and Lindy Waters literally had fire (I think) coming from his hands. It was exactly what teams have been able to do to OSU for most of the season only the script was flipped.

Unfortunately, we nearly saw what can happen when those deep shots dry up. Texas Tech eventually mounted a comeback late to put a scare into OSU after it continued to settle from downtown, but the Cowboys finally settled in during the stretch to maintain their lead.

I’m not convinced OSU can win games like that on a nightly basis, if only because it hasn’t done that all season and has settled in to being an average 3-point shooting team. But Wednesday night was proof that this team is pretty stinkin’ good when its knocking down shots from deep. I’m just not convinced it’s a sustainable way to win down the stretch run of the season.

3. Keenan Evans’ injury played a big factor

Texas Tech’s all-everything wasn’t expected to play on Wednesday due to a lingering toe injury, and while he made the start and played 25 minutes, he was a shell of his All-American caliber self.

Evans scored 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting and lacked the explosiveness he’s shown all season that has boosted him into a likely all-league player. There’s no denying that his injury played a massive factor in this one, and had he been healthy, things might have played out differently.

4. Mitch Solomon was a non-factor

I’m not sure if refs just hate Mitch Solomon or if he’s always in the right place at the wrong time, but foul trouble in the first half limited the invaluable senior to just 3 minutes.

He played 10 in the final 20 but scored just 3 points — all on free throws — and snatched down two rebounds, too.

Although Texas Tech and its athletic bigs aren’t necessarily a good matchup for Solomon, he’s absolutely vital to OSU’s success. But the big man can’t stay out of foul trouble. That’s been a problem all season, and one that needs to be at least moderately improved — and soon. The fact that he played just 13 minutes makes this upset all the more surprising.

5. NCAA Tournament is within reach

The Cowboys aren’t a lock by any stretch, but they really needed this one to stay in the hunt for the Big Dance.

And did.

With three games left that includes Texas, Iowa State and Kansas, they need to win to feel confident come Selection Sunday, and also not be one-and-done in the Big 12 tourney. That’s going to be a tough ask with road trips to Austin and Ames, but Iowa State’s wounded and Texas has lost its last two home games.

There’s absolutely a chance OSU sneaks in. But there’s still plenty of work to be done.