At 3:00 p.m. ET the Oklahoma State Cowboys (21-11, 8-10 Big 12) will try to solidify their bid for an NCAA Tournament berth when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks (23-8, 14-4 Big 12) in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals. Watch the game on ESPN 2, or live stream it for free by clicking this link. Oklahoma State fans can hear the game on KSPI 93.7 FM, while Jayhawks fans can tune in to the radio broadcast on KJHK 90.7 FM.
The Cowboys have thrived since star guard Marcus Smart's unfortunate fan-shoving incident a few weeks ago, but are still far from assured of appearing in the NCAA Tournament. Their 8-10 mark inside the conference doesn't bode well, and they could need a nice run here to ensure their presence.
That won't be easy, with Kansas on the cusp of a No. 1 seed if they can author a run of their own or take the conference tourney title. They'll have to do it without potential No. 1 overall pick Joel Embiid, whose being held out of the tournament with back issues and could miss March Madness entirely.
Some have drawn a parallel between Kansas and the 2000 Cincinnati Bearcats team that lost Kenyon Martin and fell in Round 2 of the Conference USA tourney. They were lowered to a No. 2 seed that season. "Obviously they were the best team in the country that year and they dropped a seed line. You never know," Jayhawks coach Bill Self said, "and I'm not sure this year (seeds) matter a whole lot.
"We can still play well this weekend, without question."
Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford isn't jumping for joy that his squad will avoid Embiid today, because the Jayhawks are stacked at other positions too. "You're always going to miss a player like Embiid. He's special. But they've got guys they can turn to and that can pick it up for them," Ford said. "We understand the challenge is going to be an incredible challenge. We have a lot of respect for Kansas, and we understand how good they are."
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