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Oklahoma State Basketball: Cowboys nearly crack top 25 on ESPN BPI

By Andrew Miller

Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood checks the scoreboard during the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Oklahoma State defeated Texas Tech 83-64. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood checks the scoreboard during the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Oklahoma State defeated Texas Tech 83-64. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma State basketball team nearly cracked the top 25 on the ESPN Basketball Power Index after their 96-92 victory against OU.

The Oklahoma State basketball team is putting together a run to remember right now. After starting Big 12 play 0-6, they have won seven of their last eight conference games bringing their record in the Big 12 to 7-7. They own an overall record of 18-9 (7-7 Big 12).

OK State defeated the Oklahoma Sooners on Feb. 19 in Bedlam at Gallagher-Iba Arena 96-92. That brings their winning streak to three-games. With the Pokes current standing, they have a great chance to get a bid for the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday. Hearing that is great news for Cowboy fans who remember how bad the 2015-16 basketball campaign was in Stillwater.

According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, OK State ranks 27th in the country. They sit directly behind another Big 12 team in the Iowa State Cyclones. Only four teams in the Big 12, including the Cyclones, rank ahead of the Cowboys in the ESPN BPI. The West Virginia Mountaineers rank as the third best team in the BPI and the Pokes beat them in Morgantown.

The RPI rankings have OK State in a similar spot to the BPI rankings. The Pokes sit a no. 28 in the country in the RPI rankings. Moreover, the Cowboys have the seventh strongest schedule in the country.

The Cowboys have a great chance to improve their stock in the college basketball world again on Wednesday, Feb. 22, against the Kansas State Wildcats at 8 p.m. CT. You can catch the game on ESPNU or Watch ESPN/ESPN3. KSU defeated the Cowboys in their first meeting back on Jan. 18 at GIA. However, that loss sparked head coach Brad Underwood to change his defensive scheme from a full-court press to a more relaxed approach stopping guards before they can penetrate and get to the lane.

Next: Oklahoma State Baseball: Jensen Elliott has a big night for the Cowboys

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi comes out with another edition of his Bracketology tomorrow which will give Cowboy fans a good idea of where OK State in terms of seeding for the NCAA Tournament right now. They projected as an eight seed in Lunardi’s edition of Bracketology last week.

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