Who's in? Who's out? Find out as FanHouse takes a look at teams somewhere between in NCAA or NIT.Team: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Record: 20-9 (9-6 Big 12)
Good Wins: Rhode Island (Oklahoma City), Texas, Kansas State and at Nebraska
Bad Losses: At Baylor
Comments: The Cowboys played a challenging non-conference schedule that ranked 27th in strength of schedule. They lost three games in the non-con. All three were to eventual regular-season conference winners: Michigan State, Gonzaga and Washington. The rest of the non-conference mixed in some quality mid-majors like Siena, Tulsa and Rhode Island that the Cowboys handled at home in Stillwater or Oklahoma City.
If there is one knock on Oklahoma State, it is that they have not won a big game outside the state of Oklahoma. When beating a 16-11 Nebraska team is the best road win on a resume, there will be questions about a team's ability to win in a true road environment..
Other Views: Oklahoma State is 32nd in RPI, the Basketball State has them 36th, as do the Sagarin Ratings.
Verdict: Oklahoma State played a smart non-conference schedule that really pumped up their computer numbers. The Cowboys have separated themselves from the lower half of the conference. While they have not beaten the top three teams in the Big 12 this year, they have made the case that they are in the group with Texas below that should put them in the NCAA tournament.
The one issue for the Cowboys really is whether they can win road games against good competition. They really need to win at least one game in the Big 12 tournament to make the NCAA Tournament a lock.
