Bracketology 2020: Big 12, SOCON and Notre Dame among biggest losers

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 16, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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MORGANTOWN, WV – FEBRUARY 10: Lindy Waters III #21 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts after hitting a three pointer against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on February 10, 2018 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma State

Week 5 Results

Lost to Georgetown, 81-74
Lost to Wichita State, 80-61

The Cowboys were featured as Bracketology Winners last week, but after a 7-0 start to the year, they have looked out of sorts in their last two games.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma State lost to Georgetown, a team struggling on the court and mired in controversy off it. But despite the dismissal of James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc, the Hoyas still managed to top OSU at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Big man Yor Anei got into foul trouble and Georgetown’s Omer Yurtseven took advantage, putting up 19 points and nine rebounds. The Cowboys needed more production outside of Lindy Waters (29 points) and Cameron McGriff (20 points).

Unfortunately, the numbers trended in the opposite direction on Sunday, when OSU was bested on their home court once again, this time by an upstart Wichita State team. This time it wasn’t so competitive, with the Cowboys’ starters combining for just 36 points. As a unit, the team shot under 20% from the three-point line in their latest defeat. The Shockers are no slouches, by the way. They’ll be competing for an at-large bid out of the American and now have a good win in their pocket. As for the Cowboys, neither the Hoyas nor the Shockers are particularly good losses for Oklahoma State’s at-large hopes.

This team has quickly given back much of the good favor that they curried during Feast Week.

The Cowboys head to Houston next Sunday for a chance at some retribution against another AAC squad. It’s been an up-and-down start for Kelvin Sampson’s club, but the Cougars are coming off a well-rounded victory over South Carolina on Sunday. There’s a very real chance that the NCAA Tournament selection committee will be comparing the respective resumes of Houston and Oklahoma State all the way up to Selection Sunday.

Having this head-to-head win could be crucial to getting an at-large bid.

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