JimBob
03-04-2009, 08:48 AM
Eaton, O-State beef up their Big Dance resume
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 3/4/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 3/4/2009 4:15 AM
STILLWATER — Every game has been a "must-win" for Oklahoma State since a loss at Texas on Feb. 10.
The Cowboys made it six straight "must-wins" on Tuesday.
OSU, needing another victory to start solidifying a spot in the NCAA Tournament, got what it needed at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
"There was so much on the line," said OSU coach Travis Ford. "You could tell what was on the line."
Byron Eaton was fabulous down the stretch, a senior making all of the key plays on senior night, as the Cowboys slipped past Kansas State, 77-71.
In a four-day span in the final days of the season, OSU has beaten two of the other teams contending for fourth in the league and spots in the NCAA Tournament.
"I think we're close," Eaton said of the NCAAs.
Eaton had 25 points but, most importantly, handled the tempo and hit all six of his free throws in the closing seconds.
"Byron Eaton played like a four-year starter," said Kansas State coach Frank Martin. "He played like a champion. That's what it is all about. He did the same thing to Kansas last year (the last loss for the Jayhawks before they went on to win the national title).
"It's not like we came out here and laid an egg. Bryon Eaton was a handful. That's what good players do."
It was like old times for the Cowboys. Former coach Eddie Sutton was in the building, a near-capacity crowd roared and OSU won an important game.
"We couldn't let this opportunity slip by," said Eaton.
As a result, O-State inched ever closer to getting its first NCAA Tournament since 2005.
"We certainly didn't do anything to hurt ourselves," said Ford.
The Cowboys entered Tuesday's game 31st in RPIratings.com with the 11th toughest schedule in the country.
Those are great numbers to have on your NCAA Tournament resume.
Ford knows "there is work to be done" but said "our RPI is extremely low" and the strength of schedule "is one of the best in the country."
But, the most important numbers are the ones the Cowboys have been putting up over the past month: six straight Big 12 Conference victories, a 20th victory on the season in arguably the second-best league in the country.
Fast finish? OSU has won seven of its past nine, including two road games in the league.
"These last two (OSU beat Texas last Saturday) have been huge games for us," Ford said. "We're fortunate they've been on (national) television and that we've won.
"We now have a winning record in our conference."
Of OSU's nine losses this season, six have been to teams currently ranked in the Top 25.
"We were going up against a home team that is a very good team," Martin said. "We just did not get it done."
This was not easy for the Cowboys. Kansas State hung around for much of this game.
In fact, the Wildcats were tied at 64 with just under four minutes to go.
But, KSU committed three turnovers in its next four possessions, and OSU knocked down its shots.
"We came up with big rebounds and big stops," Ford said. "We made some big plays."
That's when Eaton took over, converting four straight free throws for a four-point lead. Then, Obi Muonelo knocked down a trey and OSU was up seven with just over two minutes to go.
Kansas State wouldn't go away. It got to within two before James Anderson hit a three-pointer with about a minute to go. K-State would get no closer.
"He hit a big shot and that's what good players do," Martin said.
It is something the Cowboys have been unable to do at the end of the last three seasons. When OSU needed big plays to win games down the stretch, it has been unable to do it.
That changed in the past several weeks. Now, the prospects of playing in something other than the National Invitation Tournament look much brighter.
"You come out here and take care of your business and things will look a lot better for you," Eaton said.
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 3/4/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 3/4/2009 4:15 AM
STILLWATER — Every game has been a "must-win" for Oklahoma State since a loss at Texas on Feb. 10.
The Cowboys made it six straight "must-wins" on Tuesday.
OSU, needing another victory to start solidifying a spot in the NCAA Tournament, got what it needed at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
"There was so much on the line," said OSU coach Travis Ford. "You could tell what was on the line."
Byron Eaton was fabulous down the stretch, a senior making all of the key plays on senior night, as the Cowboys slipped past Kansas State, 77-71.
In a four-day span in the final days of the season, OSU has beaten two of the other teams contending for fourth in the league and spots in the NCAA Tournament.
"I think we're close," Eaton said of the NCAAs.
Eaton had 25 points but, most importantly, handled the tempo and hit all six of his free throws in the closing seconds.
"Byron Eaton played like a four-year starter," said Kansas State coach Frank Martin. "He played like a champion. That's what it is all about. He did the same thing to Kansas last year (the last loss for the Jayhawks before they went on to win the national title).
"It's not like we came out here and laid an egg. Bryon Eaton was a handful. That's what good players do."
It was like old times for the Cowboys. Former coach Eddie Sutton was in the building, a near-capacity crowd roared and OSU won an important game.
"We couldn't let this opportunity slip by," said Eaton.
As a result, O-State inched ever closer to getting its first NCAA Tournament since 2005.
"We certainly didn't do anything to hurt ourselves," said Ford.
The Cowboys entered Tuesday's game 31st in RPIratings.com with the 11th toughest schedule in the country.
Those are great numbers to have on your NCAA Tournament resume.
Ford knows "there is work to be done" but said "our RPI is extremely low" and the strength of schedule "is one of the best in the country."
But, the most important numbers are the ones the Cowboys have been putting up over the past month: six straight Big 12 Conference victories, a 20th victory on the season in arguably the second-best league in the country.
Fast finish? OSU has won seven of its past nine, including two road games in the league.
"These last two (OSU beat Texas last Saturday) have been huge games for us," Ford said. "We're fortunate they've been on (national) television and that we've won.
"We now have a winning record in our conference."
Of OSU's nine losses this season, six have been to teams currently ranked in the Top 25.
"We were going up against a home team that is a very good team," Martin said. "We just did not get it done."
This was not easy for the Cowboys. Kansas State hung around for much of this game.
In fact, the Wildcats were tied at 64 with just under four minutes to go.
But, KSU committed three turnovers in its next four possessions, and OSU knocked down its shots.
"We came up with big rebounds and big stops," Ford said. "We made some big plays."
That's when Eaton took over, converting four straight free throws for a four-point lead. Then, Obi Muonelo knocked down a trey and OSU was up seven with just over two minutes to go.
Kansas State wouldn't go away. It got to within two before James Anderson hit a three-pointer with about a minute to go. K-State would get no closer.
"He hit a big shot and that's what good players do," Martin said.
It is something the Cowboys have been unable to do at the end of the last three seasons. When OSU needed big plays to win games down the stretch, it has been unable to do it.
That changed in the past several weeks. Now, the prospects of playing in something other than the National Invitation Tournament look much brighter.
"You come out here and take care of your business and things will look a lot better for you," Eaton said.