The Kansas upset and beyond

Originally Published: Mar 1, 2010 11:26 PM CDT

I cant say I thought OSU would upset Kansas. I thought they had a chance, if they made shots and made more hustle plays than the Jayhawks, and I thought there was something else that could have tilted things a bit in the Cowboys favor.

After toying with OU last Monday, KU players held up the Big 12 Championship trophy. Theyd clinched a share of the regular season title, and theres nothing wrong than a little celebrating with the home fans. But how many times have you seen a similar display, with games left to be played, and then that team cant follow through with a great performance? One KU staff member told me before the game Saturday that in the first 15 minutes of the win over the Sooners the Jayhawks were terrific. Then they got bored, and that a lack of killer instinct is something of a concern.

But enough about Kansas. This OSU victory was captained by James Anderson, but the crew surrounding him also outplayed the more talented bunch in blue. When Obi Muonelo and/or Keiton Page can hit shots it makes the Cowboys hard to corral. When you add Matt Pilgrims recent play into the mix, with a dash of a good Marshall Moses, the Cowboys become as dangerous a team to play as any other around.

Theres more. No, Fred Gulley hasnt hit a 3 all year, but he has become a very frustrating player to face when hes guarding you. Some of the credit should go to a recent practice or two with former Cowboy guard Byron Eaton, who challenged Gulley and other OSU players while helping reinforce what Travis Ford and his staff have been teaching.

As for Ford, thanks to the access from being on the Cowboy Radio Network, I get to listen in sometimes. Fords halftime speech Saturday was an impassioned classic. His team responded, just like at this time last season.