In the words of Frank Sinatra, “the end is near and so I’ll face the final curtain.” Can Lutz and this Cowboys basketball team delay the inevitable?
STILLWATER, Okla. — In a disheartening display at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Wednesday night, February 18, the Oklahoma State Cowboys men’s basketball team suffered an 81-69 defeat to the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks, further dimming their already faint NCAA Tournament hopes.
With this loss, OSU’s record dropped to 16-10 overall and 4-9 in Big 12 play, marking their fourth straight setback and underscoring a season plagued by inconsistency.
Kansas, improving to 20-6 and 10-3 in conference, showcased their dominance early, building a commanding 43-29 halftime lead thanks to freshman sensation Darryn Peterson’s explosive 20 first-half points, including six three-pointers.
Peterson finished with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Bryson Tiller added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Cowboys mounted a valiant second-half effort, outscoring Kansas 40-38 after the break, fueled by senior forward Parsa Fallah’s team-high 21 points and a gritty 11-0 run late in the first half that trimmed a 23-point deficit.
Guards Anthony Roy and Isaiah Coleman contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively, but OSU’s early shooting woes, starting 5-for-23 from the field, proved too much to overcome.
The absence of big man Lefteris Mantzoukas, who withdrew from the university earlier that day to focus on his health, left a noticeable gap in the frontcourt, forcing OSU to rely on smaller lineups against Kansas’ athletic forwards.
This departure adds to the roster instability that has hampered the Cowboys throughout the campaign.
Post-game, head coach Steve Lutz addressed the media, acknowledging the team’s resilience but lamenting the slow start. “We dug ourselves a hole early, and while I’m proud of how we fought back, we just couldn’t get over the hump,” Lutz said in his opening statement. “Kansas is a top team for a reason, but we’ve got to find ways to start stronger.” Player Parsa Fallah echoed the sentiment, noting, “We showed heart in the second half, but those early misses killed us. We’ve got to keep pushing for the guys in the locker room.”
This defeat exemplifies a recurring theme for Oklahoma State this season: the inability to close out games. Again and again and again.
Time and again, the Cowboys have squandered leads or failed to mount comebacks in crunch time, with blown advantages against teams like Baylor and Iowa State earlier in the year haunting their resume. These lapses have all but sealed their postseason fate, leaving them on the outside looking in for the NCAA Tournament barring a miraculous run.
With a NET ranking likely in the 100s and lacking quality wins, OSU’s at-large bid prospects are virtually nonexistent, shifting focus to the NIT or even a potential coaching evaluation.
Speaking of which, second-year coach Steve Lutz’s seat may be warming. Am I wrong to bring that up?
After a promising start last season, this year’s regression, marked by defensive breakdowns and offensive inefficiency, has raised questions about his ability to elevate the program in the competitive Big 12.
While athletic director Chad Weiberg has voiced support, continued struggles could prompt scrutiny heading into the offseason.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State’s remaining schedule offers a slim chance for redemption, but the path is daunting.
With five games left before the Big 12 Tournament, the Cowboys face a mix of road tests and home opportunities.
On February 21, they travel to Colorado (2:30 PM, Big 12), where the Buffaloes’ high-altitude advantage and strong perimeter defense could overwhelm OSU’s inconsistent shooting - - - prediction: Bounce back dub.
Back home against West Virginia on February 24 (6:00 PM), OSU might capitalize on the Mountaineers’ turnover-prone play for a much-needed win - - 2 in a row - 18-10.
At Cincinnati on February 28 (1:00 PM), the Bearcats’ physicality in the paint. exacerbated by Mantzoukas’s absence, likely spells trouble but I like Oklahoma State to pull it off - 19-10.
The March 3 trip to UCF (6:00 PM) presents a winnable matchup against a middling Knights squad, but road woes persist and I believe they’ll falter. 19-11.
Finally, hosting powerhouse Houston on March 7 (11:00 AM) ends the slate; the Cougars’ elite defense should dominate, sealing a loss at 19-12.
Overall, OSU’s chances aren’t the best in these games, finishing subpar in conference play.
Without momentum, their NCAA drought extends, but a couple of upsets could salvage pride and secure an NIT berth.
In the Big 12 Tournament at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center from March 10-14, OSU’s projected seed means a Tuesday first-round matchup against a fellow bottom-dweller like TCU or Arizona State. They could grind out a win there, advancing to face a top seed like Kansas or Baylor on Wednesday, but expect an early exit in the second round.
The expanded 16-team format offers no byes for low seeds, and without Mantzoukas’s interior presence, depth issues will loom large.
A quarterfinal run would require heroics, but realistically, one-and-done caps a disappointing year.
Has the final curtain closed?