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Tomorrow’s atmosphere in Gallagher-Iba will be unlike any other

By Andrew Miller

Jan 28, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Brandon Averette (0) moves the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Brandon Averette (0) moves the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 99-71. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma State basketball team takes the court for the final time during the 2016-17 season at Gallagher-Iba Arena tomorrow against Kansas.

Gallagher-Iba Arena, the home of the Oklahoma State basketball team, is commonly known as one of the best environments in college basketball. It might not quite live up to the billing of that of Rupp Arena for the Kentucky Wildcats, Allen Fieldhouse for the Kansas Jayhawks, or Cameron Indoor Stadium for the Duke Blue Devils, but it is definitely in that next tier.

They face one of the true blue bloods in college basketball tomorrow as they take on KU in the regular season finale at GIA. The difference in Stillwater with first-year head coach Brad Underwood compared to former head coach Travis Ford is crazy. We have said it all year, Underwood drastically revived the OK State fan base, building even more momentum for the Cowboys.

It’s not often you get the chance to knock off the no. 1 ranked team in the country, and that’s exactly what the Pokes have a chance to do tomorrow. KU head coach Bill Self lost the last four games in GIA and the Cowboy faithful hope to make it a fifth tomorrow.

Senior forwards Leyton Hammonds and Mitchell Solomon along with senior shooting guard Phil Forte play in their final game at GIA tomorrow after seeing some trying times in Stillwater. Each player took part in a huge role in the Cowboys’ success this season.

More than anything, a victory tomorrow would all but lock up at least a six or seven seed in the NCAA Tournament. OK State did not make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season after only posting three wins in conference. Underwood and the Cowboys will at least triple the number of Big 12 wins this season.

A heartbreaking defeat in Ames, IA, on Tuesday to the on. 24 ranked Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum can be avenged with a huge win tomorrow.

Sophomore point guard Jawun Evans could be playing in his last regular season with the Cowboys, but that will be determined when the off-season comes around.

All signs point to a huge game for the Cowboys tomorrow. GIA is sold out for the fourth time this season, meaning it will be maxed out to a capacity beyond 13,500 fans in attendance.

Tomorrow has the chance to be one of the more special games in recent history for Cowboy basketball as they take part in the final regular season game in Underwood’s first season.

Next: Cowboys take on Jayhawks in regular season finale

Tip-off tomorrow is 5 p.m. CT and you can watch the game on ESPN.

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