OSU basketball notebook: Winning on the road
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Sunday, February 10, 2013
2/10/13 at 6:55 AM
Related Story: OSU tops Texas, wins fifth straight
Until beating Kansas a week ago, Oklahoma State had won one Big 12 road game in three seasons. Now, the Cowboys have two straight heading into Wednesday's game at Texas Tech.
"I never really thought about it as much as some other people did, as far as panicking," coach Travis Ford said when asked about road woes. "But we always tried different things.
"We knew we hadn't won. We knew we'd had our struggles. I'm not sitting here saying it's cured or anything like that, either. In today's age, it's all based on what you have done in the last game. I get that."
Defending the 3: OSU entered Saturday's game with the worst 3-point field-goal percentage defense in the Big 12, but held the Longhorns to 1-of-18 shooting on 3-pointers.
"We've been trying to ask our guys to give us better 3-point field-goal percentage defense, to defend that 3-point line better," Ford said. "I'd say we did a little bit better job of that today. ... That's an area that we want to get better at, and we did emphasize it the last couple of days."
Conference race: With Kansas dropping a third consecutive game with a loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, the Cowboys are tied for second in the conference with the Jayhawks. With an 8-2 Big 12 record, Kansas State was in sole possession of first place after winning at Iowa State on Saturday.
Asked whether his team can win the Big 12, Ford said: "I think we've got an opportunity. There's a long way to go, but there's two teams with two losses right now. As of today, I think we have a shot."
Different look: With Texas having its worst season in his 15 years as head coach, Rick Barnes tried a different starting lineup Saturday, his ninth in 23 games. Only one player, Javan Felix, has started every game.
The Longhorns will use at least one more unseen lineup this year, with Myck Kabongo returning from suspension Wednesday against Iowa State.
Up next: At 6 p.m. Wednesday, OSU visits Texas Tech (9-12, 2-8 Big 12). With a 75-48 defeat at Baylor on Saturday, the Red Raiders have lost four straight.
Associated Images:
OSU's Brian Williams soars to the basket Saturday against Texas. ERIC GAY / Associated Press
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