Throughout the regular season, three teams separated themselves from the pack in the Big 12. But after not even two full days, two of those teams -- Kansas this afternoon, and now Oklahoma -- have been eliminated from the conference tournament.It was a crazy environment in Oklahoma City, coupled with some fiery emotions and a bizarre ending. But in the end it was Oklahoma State taking down Blake Griffin and the Sooners, 71-70.
After Byron Eaton missed his second free throw, which would've put the Pokes up two with 29 seconds remaining, Willie Warren pulled down the board and started down the court. He appeared to pick the ball up and travel in the process of calling a timeout, but it wasn't called. The play drawn up by Jeff Capel in the huddle was apparently a good one, as Tony Crocker scored to give Oklahoma a 70-69 lead.
That's where it got wacky. Eaton got into the lane -- this was one of the themes of the night -- but couldn't convert or get a call after some contact. There was a mad scramble for the loose ball, which ended up in the hands of Oklahoma State's James Anderson, an 84 free throw shooter.
Anderson coolly sank both, and after another timeout the Sooners inbounded from underneath their basket. As the ball was heaved downcourt to Griffin, the clock erroneously never started. Play continued as Griffin missed a three and, with everyone waiting for the buzzer, Oklahoma missed a putback before the ball was cleared to midcourt. After some commotion, and the refs going over to the monitor for a few minutes, it was ruled (correctly) that time had expired somewhere along the line and the Cowboys had pulled off the upset.
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North Carolina State's Ben McCauley (R) shoots over University of Maryland's Dino Gregory (2nd R) during the first round of the ACC college basketball tournament at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia March 12, 2009. REUTERS/Chris Keane (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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University of Maryland's Landon Milbourne (1) shoots around North Carolina State defenders during the first round of the ACC college basketball tournament at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia March 12, 2009. REUTERS/Chris Keane (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Maryland's Greivis Vasquez (21) reacts near the end of a 74-69 win over North Carolina State during an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament in Atlanta, Thursday, March 12, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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North Carolina State coach Sidney Lowe gestures to his team near the end of the game against Maryland during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament in Atlanta, Thursday, March 12, 2009. Maryland defeated North Carolina State 74-69. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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Alabama's Alonzo Gee, right, pulls down a rebound in front of teammate Jamychal Green (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt at the Southeastern Conference men's tournament Thursday March 12, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Bowling Green's Brian Moten, left, is fouled by Ohio's Steven Coleman during an NCAA college basketball game in the second half of the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Cleveland. Bowling Green won 74-61 to advance to the semifinals Friday night. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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North Carolina State center Ben McCauley (34) reacts at the end of his game against Maryland in an NCAA college basketball game at the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament in Atlanta, Thursday, March 12, 2009. North Carolina lost to Maryland 74-69. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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Vanderbilt's Jermaine Beal, front, leaps by Alabama's Senario Hillman, right, while heading to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference men's tournament Thursday, March 12, 2009 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Duquesne coach Ron Everhart shouts to his players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rhode Island at the Atlantic 10 men's tournament Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Atlantic City, N.J. Duquesne won 78-74. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
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Alabama guard Mikhail Torrance (2) splits between Vanderbilt defenders A.J. Ogilvy, left, and Jermaine Beal (0) to score during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference men's tournament Thursday, March 12, 2009 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
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As usual, Griffin had a big game, with 17 points and 19 boards. But he also turned the ball over five times, and he wasn't the only one; as a team Oklahoma committed 19 turnovers. The Sooners have now lost four of six after starting 25-1, and while it's true that two of those losses were without Griffin, it's become clear that they're not nearly as good, particularly on defense, as was once thought. This loss eliminates them from consideration for a top seed, but they'll almost certainly be a two when the brackets are announced on Sunday.
Oklahoma State has now won eight of nine itself, with the sole loss coming to Griffin and Co. in Norman last weekend. Now a mortal lock for the NCAAs, they'll probably even be a single-digit seed. The Cowboys will have a chance to ascend even higher on Friday night when they'll face the winner of Missouri and Texas Tech.
