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Bracketology 2021: Illinois, Iowa, and Baylor among big winners

By Joey Loose

Michigan guard Mike Smith dribbles against Illinois center Kofi Cockburn, left, and guard Jacob Grandison during the second half of U-M's 76-53 loss at the Crisler Center on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
Michigan guard Mike Smith dribbles against Illinois center Kofi Cockburn, left, and guard Jacob Grandison during the second half of U-M's 76-53 loss at the Crisler Center on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. /
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Bracketology Oklahoma State Cowboys Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Bracketology Oklahoma State Cowboys Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma State

Seven teams have emerged this season as NCAA Tournament teams from the Big 12; this is not really in question. What remains to be seen is how these teams will figure in determining the national champion, as outside of Baylor there isn’t really a second dominant team in the conference. These teams have spent the last few months taking turns beating up on each other and it’s been Oklahoma State on top many times in recent weeks.

With freshman stud Cade Cunningham in a starring role as usual, Oklahoma State had a great week. On Monday, they completed a two-game sweep against rival #16 Oklahoma, this time prevailing at home. Thursday saw them take the loss on the road against #3 Baylor, a very excusable outcome. Then on Saturday, the Cowboys traveled to #6 West Virginia and won by 5, a game in which Avery Anderson III put up 31 points.

While their seeding for the Big 12 Tournament has yet to be determined, at 18-7 and 11-7 in the Big 12, the Cowboys have set themselves up well. Their resume has a pair of wins over Oklahoma and Texas Tech, with wins over Arkansas, Kansas, and West Virginia boosting them up as well. They’ve been playing their best ball this last month, winning six of their last seven games.

Oklahoma State is playing some great basketball when their schedule is at its toughest. Clearly, it’s best to be playing their best ball this time of year, but they’ll need to keep putting their best foot forward. Can this team win three tough games and win the Big 12 Championship? Either way, Cunningham and these Cowboys have the talent to go on a run at the NCAA Tournament.

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