Who Oklahoma State Fans Should Root For This Weekend

It’s the final weekend of the regular season for the Big 12. Oklahoma Sate of course will be facing off against Kansas in Gallagher-Iba arena in an effort to land that all-important eighth conference win.

While obviously OSU fans will obviously cheering on America’s Brightest Orange, a win over the Jayhawks on Saturday doesn’t guarantee Boynton’s crew will be dancing in a couple of weeks.

There’s the issue of OSU’s non-conference strength of schedule, and the fact that their RPI is currently No. 92. Considering the fact that the lowest RPI for a power conference to ever make the tournament was Syracuse in 2016 with an RPI of 71 (and was the only one over 67 ever), I’m not sure a win over Kansas is enough.

Yes, I know the committee is more focused on quadrants than just RPI this year, and another win over a solid Q1 team like Kansas would be great. But let’s be honest, none of us are going to feel comfortable about an at-large bid on Sunday even with a season-sweep of KU.

So, what should OSU fans also hope for this weekend, besides a storming of Eddie Sutton Court?

Let’s break this weekend down.

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Big 12

Allow me to steal this fantastic interactive chart from Tulsa World’s Mark Cooper. He broke down all the possible scenarios for who OSU could face in the first round in KC on March 7th.

While most fans’ perspective is that Iowa State would be the better opponent because OSU has already swept them, I would argue fans should want a Round 3 with either Texas or OU. For two reasons.

1. If Quadrant 1 wins are all the rage, then facing and beating OU would offer the Cowboys another one. Texas would be a Quadrant 2 win, which is also good. Iowa State? Quadrant 3. Other than adding another win, there’s no real benefit to OSU’s resume or RPI in beating the Cyclones for a third time.

2. The Cowboys’ win over Iowa State on Tuesday bumped their RPI up from 100 to the low 90s. Another win over the Cyclones, especially if they lose to OU on Friday, may not even have that big of an effect. OSU needs an RPI no worse than 70. A win over KU and a win over ISU ain’t going to do that.

So to face the Sooners, OSU fans should cheer for OSU (obviously), OU (I know, I know) and Texas.

However, allow me to get deep for a moment, and suggest we all cheer for the third scenario on that list: OSU, OU, West Virginia, and Kansas State wins. According to bubble watch, Texas is still “in.” Knocking another bubble team from the list and snagging another Q2 win would be a double whammy for the Cowboys.

Verdict: Cheer for OSU, OU (I KNOW!), West Virginia, Kansas State

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Power Conferences

If OSU wants a better chance of getting into the tournament, they could stand to see some of the other bubble teams get knocked out.

There are a couple in particular that OSU fans should be rooting against this weekend.

Syracuse. The Orange are projected as a first four out, but get to play No. 18 Clemson at home. A win would be a big boost for Syracuse. A loss would be great for OSU.

Providence. Projected as one of the last four teams in, the Friars get lowly St. Johns at home this Saturday. While a win won’t boost their resume, a loss would certainly hurt it. The Big East is good, but not like the Big 12. A loss to a 15-15 St. Johns team would be very harmful.

The Top of the Pac-12. The league is down this season. They have one ranked team. According to Joe Lunardi, USC is one of the last four in, while Washington, Utah, and UCLA are all in the first eight out. Mayhem would be great for OSU. Washington gets Oregon, Utah gets Colorado, and UCLA and USC face off. Root for insanity this weekend.

Verdict: Cheer for Clemson, St. Johns, Colorado, Oregon, Mayhem.