Chris Reynolds details why Oklahoma State was the 'First Team Out' of the NCAA Tournament
There’s nothing more brutal than being the first to not make the cut. For this year’s NCAA Tournament, that unfortunate distinction fell to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Still, considering their overall resume, Chris Reynolds couldn’t help but point out how the Pokes did it to themselves in terms of opportunities.
On CBS’ Selection Show, the chairman of the committee pointed out the Cowboy’s 6-12 record in Quad 1 games this season. Whether in their non-conference slate or in Big 12 play, Reynolds said OSU just had one too many slip-ups to make the field in the end.
“When you look at their resume? They had 18 opportunities in Quad 1 and they only won six games,” Reynolds said. “They had opportunities in the non-conference schedule to win some games to enhance their resume and they fell a little short.”
Oklahoma State finished the season 18-15 overall, including seventh in a loaded Big 12 with an 8-10 record. They were one of the programs that benefitted yet was also hurt from playing in that conference. However, while they finished 43rd in the NET thanks to quality finishes in Quad 2, 3, and 4 games, they just didn’t do enough in their dozen-and-a-half Quad 1 games to make a strong case.
The worst part about that now is had the Cowboys gone 7-11 instead? They likely would have made it in. That’s why every game matters and why, in 2023, Oklahoma State won’t be dancing according to Reynolds.
LOOK: Seth Davis breaks down ‘First Four Out’ snubs from the NCAA Tournament
CBS’s Seth Davis broke down his take on the teams that just missed the cut for the NCAA Tournament. With the field of 68 teams set for March Madness, inevitably there will be teams that finished just outside the field who feel snubbed by the selection committee.
This year, the last four teams in the tournament were Mississippi State, Pitt, Arizona State and Nevada. The “first four out” distinction went to Oklahoma State, Rutgers, North Carolina and Clemson.
As the CBS bracket reveal panel discussed the committee’s choices, Davis explained that he felt Rutgers would have been one of his teams in the Big Dance — at the expense of another ACC team alongside UNC and Clemson.
“I had Rutgers in the field. But they had four Quad 3 losses so that’s why they were out,” explained Davis. “Oklahoma State is the one team that got victimized the most by being in the Big 12. They have a lot of Quad 1 wins but too many losses there.”