The Oklahoma State Cowboys are a fifth-seed entering the 2013 NCAA basketball playoffs. Oklahoma State was ranked No 15 going into the Big 12 championship. While the Cowboys may not be a favorite heading into the tournament, they have some quality wins and have shown they can play with anyone.
Oklahoma State has beaten Kansas and Kansas State, and fell to Gonzaga by one point early in the season. Led be freshman Marcus Smart, the Cowboys are certainly a capable team. They have won several games by a point or two, and a few games on the last play of the game, which are qualities a Final Four team needs.
The Cowboy have also unfortunately shown a penchant to playing to the level of competition, and struggling at inopportune times. The team blew a 18-point second half lead against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, but managed to win that game. The Cowboys also struggled against Kansas State, losing in the semifinals.
Oklahoma State has a strong history of basketball and have reached the final four six times. The team won two national titles in the 1940 under the legendary coach Henry Iba. He took them to the Final Four two other times, and the Cowboys finished second once and third once.
Coach Eddie Sutton led the team to its other two Final Four appearances over his tenure.While he is not of the same legendary status as Iba, he is still a well known coach who has won at places like Arkansas and Kentucky.
In the 1940s the tournament had only eight teams, and more were gradually added.
Oklahoma State is 28th all-time with its 25 NCAA tournament appearances, 18th all-time with its 38 tournament wins, 14th all-time with eight appearances in the Elite Eight. Four of the Cowboys' Final Four appearances came in a six-year period between 1945 and 1951.
Check the following list to see a history of Final Four appearances by the Cowboys.
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