With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Cowboys must rebound from getting blown out against Arizona if they want to go dancing in March - Can they do it? It will start with Arizona State on Tuesday evening.
As the Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball team heads to Tempe, Arizona, for a February 10, 2026, clash with the Arizona State Sun Devils, the stakes couldn't be higher.
Fresh off a brutal 84-47 drubbing at the hands of No. 1 Arizona on Saturday, where OSU shot just 32% from the field and was outrebounded 45-28, the Cowboys desperately need a bounce-back win to salvage their road trip and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
Currently sitting at 16-7 overall and 4-6 in Big 12 play, OSU finds itself in ESPN's Bracketology "Next Four Out" category as of Monday, February 9, a precarious position that really emphasizes the urgency of their final eight regular-season games.
With the postseason fate hanging in the balance, every contest from here, including a strong showing in the Big 12 Tournament, will determine if they snag an at-large bid or, yet again, face the heart break of exclusion.
How To Watch:
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. MST (8:00 p.m. CT)
Location: Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, Arizona
TV/Stream: CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz and Dan Dickau on the call)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker and John Holcomb)
The Cowboys have shown flashes of brilliance this season, highlighted by a thrilling 99-92 upset over No. 16 BYU on February 4, where they forced 16 turnovers and shot 55% from the field.
However, inconsistency plagues them, especially on the road (3-4 away record). OSU ranks mid-pack in the Big 12 for scoring (78.2 PPG) and defense (allowing 74.1 PPG), with a strength in three-point shooting (35.8%) but vulnerabilities in rebounding (-2.3 margin).
Their postseason destiny rests squarely on these remaining eight games, against foes like Arizona State, Texas Tech, and Kansas, and a deep Big 12 Tournament run.
A Quadrant 2 win here could boost their résumé, currently boasting a 2-5 Quad 1 record, but losses like the Arizona blowout highlight defensive lapses that must be addressed.
The Sun Devils are mired in a rebuilding phase, splitting a recent mountain road trip with a win over Utah but a loss to Colorado. They average 72.5 PPG on 44% shooting but struggle defensively, allowing 76.8 PPG and ranking near the bottom of the conference in rebounding.
ASU has notched wins over common opponents like Utah and Kansas State but fell to Arizona and lost to OSU last season. With a 1-6 home record in Big 12 play, they're desperate for a statement victory to climb out of the league basement.
For OSU, senior guard Anthony Roy (17.8 PPG, 43.9% from three) is the offensive engine, capable of explosive outings like his 30-point performance against BYU. Sophomore guard Jaylen Curry (12.4 PPG) provides secondary scoring, while forward Parsa Fallah (9.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG) anchors the interior.
No major injuries reported, but fatigue from the Arizona thrashing could factor in.
ASU relies on guard Jayden Quaintance (14.2 PPG) for perimeter threats and forward Basheer Jihad (11.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG) in the paint.
The Sun Devils' depth is thin, with eight players averaging at least 4.9 PPG, but turnover issues (13.4 per game) could be exploited.
This marks the second meeting since both joined the Big 12 realignment. OSU won the lone matchup last season, 86-73 in Stillwater, dominating the boards 38-29.
The Cowboys lead the all-time series 3-2, with their last road win in Tempe coming in 2018.
To secure a vital win, OSU must dictate tempo with their up-tempo offense (72 possessions per game) while shoring up defense after Arizona's 58% second-half shooting exposed gaps. Limiting ASU's second-chance points (they rank high in offensive rebounds) and forcing turnovers will be crucial.
A victory here kickstarts a pivotal stretch, eight games remain, including rematches with Kansas and Baylor, where OSU must go at least 5-3 to boost their NET ranking (around 45th) and Quad 1 wins.
Their Big 12 Tournament performance in Kansas City could be the ultimate tiebreaker; without it, the "Next Four Out" label might become a harsh reality.
For a bubble team like OSU, every possession counts in this make or break finale.