The Big 12 men’s basketball teams concluded 15th round of league action on Wednesday, with four teams in action.
Wednesday’s game results included:
West Virginia 62, Cincinnati 59
Oklahoma State 104, UCF 95
The Big 12’s 16th round of league action begins on Saturday with the following games:
TCU at Cincinnati, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN2
West Virginia at No. 9 Texas Tech, noon CT, ESPN+
No. 8 Iowa State at No. 5 Houston, 1 p.m., ESPN
Oklahoma State at No. 23 Kansas, 3 p.m., CBS
Baylor at Colorado, 3 p.m., ESPN+
BYU at No. 19 Arizona, 9 p.m., ESPN
Here are three takeaways from the latest day of men’s basketball action.
WVU ESCAPES AN UPSET
The West Virginia Mountaineers needed to put an end to their losing streak, even if it was just two games. Plus, the Mountaineers could not lose to Cincinnati, a team that played its way well off the NCAA Tournament bubble.
It was a loss the Mountaineers couldn’t afford, so they won — but barely.
It could have gone to overtime. Cincinnati had perhaps the best look for a game-tying 3-pointer that you’re likely to see. Tyler Betsey slipped up to the top of the arc undefended. It was a terrific look, but it hit the front iron.
WVU is among the last four byes for the NCAA Tournament per ESPN Bracketology. Another loss might have bumped the Mountaineers to the last four in.
Amani Hansberry led WVU with 17 points, Javon Small scored 16 points and Jonathan Powell added 12 points. Hansberry also had 13 rebounds. Jizzle James and Day Day Thomas each had 13 points for Cincinnati.
I think West Virginia still needs to get to .500 or better in league play to ensure an NCAA Tournament bid. Fall short of that and the Mountaineers may need a Big 12 Tournament win to lock it in.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?
It was a matchup of teams that near the bottom in Big 12 play. But at least UCF and Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena was entertaining.
The Cowboys won behind another great game from Bryce Thompson, who led the Cowboys with 25 points. He was one of five players in double figures for OSU, and it just feels as if, finally, he’s been properly unleashed offensively. His year-over-year numbers look consistent, but his field-goal shooting and free-throw shooting are better than a season ago.
UCF’s Keyshawn Hall continues to put up these terrific games in losing efforts. He led all scorers with 34 points, including a 14-for-17 game at the free-throw line. Incredibly, it’s not a season high. He scored 40 against Arizona State and scored 34 points in a loss to Kansas. This guy can get on a roll against anyone.
But, as it has many times this season, his big night didn’t lead to a win.
TIME TO TALK ABOUT JOHNNY
Entering this season, I thought there were two coaches that had to look over their shoulder — Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley and UCF’s Johnny Dawkins.
The Sun Devils have lost six straight, Hurley has one year remaining on his deal and that might make it easy for ASU to move on.
Dawkins is a bit more interesting. In mid-January the Knights were in the NCAA Tournament field per ESPN. On the bubble, mind you, but in. They got healthy at the right time after dealing with injuries in December.
But, since a 3-2 start the Knights have lost nine of their last 10 games and they’re now .500 for the season. It’s starting to look like UCF will finish under .500 for the season.
Dawkins signed an extension in June that links him to UCF through the 2026-27 season. So, he has a bit more security than Hurley. But they’re essential in the same boat. Dawkins has taken the Knights to one NCAA Tournament, which was in 2019, and three NIT bids. Dawkins and UCF haven’t won 20 or more games in six seasons.
I tend to think the Knights will stick with Dawkins one more year. But he’s not making it easy on leadership.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
