The Big 12 conference play kicks off with several teams making waves in the national spotlight. Starting the year off strong, Texas and Oklahoma State have similar records despite the Cowboys being ranked and the Longhorns sitting outside the polls. The two teams are set to go head-to-head and really challenge the ranking system.
Oklahoma State took the first hit in conference play when they fell to Kansas State on Saturday, ending their five-game streak 74-71. The team shot a season-worst 40.4 percent, going 3 of 14 from beyond the arc. They have never started 0-2 in league play and will look to avoid breaking that streak as they face Texas on Wednesday.
Star Marcus Smart struggled against Kansas. He went 1 of 6 from 3-point range as he only put up 15 points total for the game. Leading scorer Markel Brown is also in a long-range slump, going just 2 of 18 recently. However, that could change against Texas as the team is letting opponents shot 35.4 percent from the 3-point line. In their loss to Oklahoma, they allowed the Sooners to shoot 13 of 28.
The Cowboys are at disadvantage thanks to injuries. Michael Cobbins is out after suffering a season-ending Achilles tear. Stevie Clark is also expected to be out after getting handed a suspension for an arrest on marijuana possession.
The Longhorns are hoping to improve their Big 12 play after a disastrous season last year. They enter having won their last seven of eight games, losing to ranked Michigan State. They are 3-0 on the road this year beating both Temple and North Carolina. Their resume is impressive but facing Smart and Cowboys will not be easy. Javan Felix will look to capitalize after a strong start to conference play where he shot a career-high 28 points against Oklahoma.
