RESULTS| STATS| HISTORY | MESSAGE BOARD | OKLAHOMA STATE INSIDER

Will lose when ... In losses to BYU and Texas Tech, Allen had poor shooting nights. Famous Last Words Have the look of a Sweet 16/Elite 8 participant, but not the Final Four. Complete team report Before filling in your bracket, check out Insider's Tournament Guide. Insider Tour | Sign up now

TO THIS POINT    
How They Got Here: Big 12 champion
Whatever sluggishness or overconfidence that Oklahoma State seemed to face in the first 20 minutes on Friday against Eastern Washington appears to now be gone. After allowing too many easy baskets and being tied with the Eagles at halftime, the Cowboys received a tongue-lashing from Eddie Sutton, then administered something similar to EWU.

No such slow start problem showed up in Round 2 against Memphis. With Joey Graham flying to the rim and shooting 3's, Oklahoma State went up 22 at the half and the Tigers never challenged.

Now the moment we've all been waiting for -- Oklahoma State against Pittsburgh in the regional semifinals. No pair of teams this side of the Ben Franklin Bridge were the subject of more seeding debate than these two. None of that matters now with the anticipated meeting of the two most physically tough clubs remaining.

Ironically, the last time the Cowboys reached the Final Four in 1995 the regional destination was East Rutherford. Wake Forest also happened to be there that year and is at the Meadowlands again. The two met in the Round of 16 nine seasons ago and could meet again for a berth in the Final Four at stake. Wake would first have to dispose of top-seed St. Joseph's. Should Oklahoma State and the Hawks advance we would get a terrific guard matchup of Nelson/West vs. Lucas/Allen.

Prior to the Dance, showing off their tenacious defense and athleticism for three days, Oklahoma State saved its best performance for the Big 12 final and beat Texas for the second time in March to back up its regular season championship. Simply put, the Cowboys were the class of the conference -- losing just at Missouri (Feb. 24) and in Lubbock in their Big 12 opener. The Pokes may have argued they deserved a top seed, but playing too late in Dallas on Sunday cost them a shot at the seed reserved for St. Joe's. Nevertheless, OSU is a dangerous team under Eddie Sutton -- a coach who knows how to get to the Final Four.

PLAYER TO WATCH      
Tony Allen | G | Senior
Tony Allen does it all for Eddie Sutton's surprising Cowboys. The senior overpowers opponents with powerful body to score and rebound, but is also a smooth penetrator in the lane. Allen, OSU's steals leader, is a defensive standout who can shut down an opponents' leading scorer.