Oklahoma St. could run the table

By Ross Lancaster Sports Central Columnist

Out of the four undefeated teams in college basketball, which has the best chance to finish the regular season with an unblemished record?

You probably just yelled something to the effect of, "Duke, you idiot!"

Well, not Duke or their ACC counterpart Virginia. The Blue Devils and Cavaliers play each other twice, and are in a conference with the likes of Maryland, N.C. State, and Wake Forest.

Surely, not Miami, who must go through the treacherous, parity-filled Big East Conference without a loss.

This leaves, by process of elimination, the No. 5 Oklahoma St. Cowboys.

The Cowboys are 13-0, and not the 13-0 that is conceived by playing patsies. Oklahoma St. has beaten the strong Cincinnati Bearcats, as well as victories over Arkansas and Ball State on neutral courts.

While the Cowboys' conference, the Big 12, is stacked with strong teams, it is also plagued with mediocre clubs such as Baylor and Texas A&M.

Another factor that helps the Cowboys' cause is that OSU does not have to play each Big 12 team twice. The Cowboys only have to play the "South" portion of the conference, which includes Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech.

The potential quest to run the table and go 30-0 before postseason play will come down to six crucial dates.

The first for the Cowboys comes on January 15 in Stillwater against No. 2 ranked Kansas, where they must contain the inside-outside presence that KU will provide. The first may end up the toughest.

Number two takes place in the very next game, four days later, in Lubbock against Bobby Knight's Texas Tech Red Raiders. This should not be that much of a problem, as Maurice Baker should go crazy on Tech's weak perimeter defense.

The third of six happens on January 30 at Oklahoma in a rivalry game against the Sooners. Rivalry games are always tough, and especially on the road. However, the Cowboy football team showed they could win at OU, and the hoopsters should do the same as well.

Test number four is against the Fresno St. Bulldogs in a non-conference battle on the road. While the name may be attractive, let's not forget that Fresno St. has had many problems and you never know whenever a Fresno player will get suspended.

The next to last big game for Oklahoma St. is the rematch right after the Fresno game with Oklahoma. If Oklahoma St. can win the first game of this home-and-home, by doing such things as controlling the post and guarding the perimeter against a small Oklahoma team, they should have no problem staying unbeaten with a win.

The last crucial test, and next-to-last before a potential jugular against Texas A&M at home, comes against Missouri, in Columbia. The Tigers have showed vulnerability at home this year, and the Cowboys should handle them when the date comes.

While it may still only be a pipe dream, don't be surprised if Oklahoma St. walks away from this season undefeated.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.