Texas Basketball: 3 thoughts after devastating loss to OK State

The Oklahoma State Cowboys slowed the train of momentum that the Texas basketball program had heading into the Big 12 Tournament dead in its tracks.

For a while there, it seemed like the Texas basketball program had finally turned a corner under the direction of head coach Shaka Smart. But then the Oklahoma State Cowboys came to town and everything changed back to how Texas fans expect things to be. Oklahoma State came in as an underdog into the Frank Erwin Center on March 7 and took down Texas when they needed a win.

Texas had won five straight coming into that Saturday afternoon showdown against the Pokes. That winning streak included three wins over the Oklahoma Sooners, No. 22 Texas Tech Red Raiders, and the No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers. They were building real momentum ahead of the Big 12 Tournament and Selection Sunday.

However, all the momentum Texas built up of late didn’t help them when it really mattered in what could be the final home game of the season. Granted, Texas basketball fans should be hoping that is the final home game of the season. If not, they are likely finding themselves in the NIT field for the second year in a row.

Oklahoma State knocked off Texas by the final score of 81-59 at the Erwin Center on Saturday afternoon. The loss moved Texas to a record of 19-12 (9-9 Big 12). Meanwhile, Oklahoma State now sits with a record of 17-14 (7-11 Big 12) to cap the regular season. Oklahoma State finished off their Big 12 run in solid fashion as they lost their first eight games in conference play.

Here’s a look into my three thoughts for the Texas Longhorns basketball program following the disappointing March 7 double-digit point loss at the hands of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.