Texas Longhorns Hoops @ Oklahoma St. Cowboys: Preview & Open Thread

Can the Texas Longhorns (13-15, 5-10) top this? The Horns travel to Stillwater to try and complete the Okie two-step, taking on the Oklahoma St. Cowboys (21-6, 11-4). With 11 wins in conference, the Cowboys are a game back of the Big 12 title, trailing co-leaders Kansas and Kansas St. If OSU finishes strong, the Cowboys could be in line for a 2/3 seed, much more preferable than the 4/5 range they sit in now.

Freshman guard Marcus Smart is contending with Kansas' Ben McLemore for not just Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, but also conference and national POY. On a perfect night, Smart and backcourt mate, junior Markel Brown, the team's two leading scorers, could run circles around any team in the country. Sophomore wing Le'Bryan Nash rounds out the weaponry.

Watch out for sophomore guard Brian Williams, who finally looks like he's back from a wrist injury that knocked him out for half a season. Deadeye shooter Phil Forte, a freshman, will also contribute major minutes in the backcourt. The Sooners aren't deep in the post, but sophomore forward Michael Cobbins and senior Philip Jurick are a handful when they stay on the court.

I really like this Oklahoma St. team, and if the Cowboys can finish the season strong and avoid a 5 seed, I like them to go far in the NCAAs. But if Texas wants to pull the upset in Stillwater, I'm in favor of that, too.

LINEUP

PROJECTED STARTERS

Texas: G - Myck Kabongo (#12 - So.) | G - DeMarcus Holland (#2 - Fr.) | F - Jonathan Holmes (#10 - So.) | F - Ioannis Papapetrou (#33 - Fr.) | F - Connor Lammert (#21 - Fr.)

Oklahoma St: G - Marcus Smart (#33 - Fr.) | G - Markel Brown (#22 - Jr.) | F - Le'Bryan Nash (#2 - So.) | F - Michael Cobbins (#20 - So.) | C - Philip Jurick (#44 - Sr.)

BENCH

Texas: G - Javan Felix (#3 - Fr.) | G - Sheldon McClellan (#1 - So.) | F - Jaylen Bond (#5 - So.) | C - Prince Ibeh (#44 - Fr.) | C - Cameron Ridley (#55 - Fr.)

Oklahoma St: G - Phil Forte (#13 - Fr.) | G - Kirby Gardner (#1 - Jr.) | G - Brian Williams (#4 - So.) | F - Kamari Murphy (#21 - Fr.)

INJURIES/ISSUES

Texas: G - Julien Lewis (#14 - So. - Questionable - Concussion)

Oklahoma St: G - Jean-Paul Olukemi (#0 - Sr. - Out for Season - Torn ACL)

TEXASSPORTS.COM MEDIA/NOTES

TEXAS (13-15, 5-10)
vs. 15/18 Oklahoma St. (21-6, 11-4)
Saturday, March 2, 2013 • 3 p.m. CT
Stillwater, Okla. • Gallagher-Iba Arena

TV: ESPN | WatchESPN.com
Jon Sciambi (play-by-play), Fran Fraschilla (analyst)
Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network
Craig Way (play-by-play), Eddie Oran (analyst)
Satellite Radio: XM 202 / Sirius 216
Streaming Audio: TexasSports.com
Live Stats: GameTracker