Big 12 Basketball power rankings: Oklahoma climbs after SEC invasion

Jan 23, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard De'Vion Harmon (11) and guard Austin Reaves (12) celebrate after a score against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 75-68. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

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Big 12 Basketball Oklahoma State Cowboys Cade Cunningham Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

11-4 (4-4). Previous: 6th. Cowboys . 5. team. 465.

Previous games: 81-60 win over Iowa State, 81-77 win over Arkansas.

Next games: Wednesday at. TCU, Saturday vs. No. 5 Texas.

With the appeal to the NCAA’s decision looming soon, Oklahoma State built their resume over the week. They started the week with an emphatic win over Iowa State, without Cade Cunningham.

Due to COVID, Iowa State only had seven players step onto the court for the contest. Oklahoma State’s frontcourt took advantage of that, with the frontcourt combining for 37 points. Kalib Boone is starting to play like an All-Big 12 caliber played and Moncrieffe had his best game of the season.

Freshman Rondel Walker also put in 20 points off the bench, shooting seven of 12 from the field.

On Saturday, Cunningham made his return to the lineup, and his presence was needed for the win. Coming off the bench, Cunningham finished with 21 points on seven of 13 from the field. Two of his 21 points came near the end of the game when he hit a jumper to put the Cowboys ahead.

That would stand firm as Oklahoma State held on to beat a good Arkansas team. The Cowboys shot 50 percent from the field in that game and outrebounded the Razorbacks, 39-32.

Oklahoma State has a chance to move up this week when they face Texas on Saturday. They sweep the week and the Cowboys might climb into the Top 3.

Longhorns . 4. team. 467. . 11-3 (5-2). Previous: 3rd

Previous games: 79-80 loss to Oklahoma, at. Kentucky cancelled.

Next games: Tuesday vs. No. 2 Baylor, Saturday at. Oklahoma State.

Texas has had their fair share of crazy endings in conference play. From Andrew Jones hitting a game-winning shot to beat West Virginia. Or being on the other end, when Mac McClung put the Longhorns on upset.

After being down as much as 12 in the second half, Texas tried to play catchup all game to Oklahoma. However, the Sooners would hold on and Texas quest for a Big 12 championship just got a bit harder.

The Longhorns shot a season-worst, 24 percent from beyond the arc, and had 29 personal fouls. Texas had five players in double figures, led by sophomore forward Kai Jones. Jones finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.

It was announced on Friday that Texas’s SEC/Big 12 Challenge matchup with Kentucky would be cancelled.

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