/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48998741/usa-today-9060662.0.jpg)
Oklahoma State has won six of the last eight matchups with Texas, including four in a row at home. It's also the last time Oklahoma State fans will see Jeff Newberry, Chris Olivier, Anthony Allen, Ford Stuen, and Cody McElroy at Gallagher Iba Arena. So maybe the Pokes can pull one more win out this season.
Last time these two teams squared off, Oklahoma State had a ferocious comeback attempt fall short in a 74-69 defeat in Austin. Leyton Hammonds led the Cowboys with 18 points, while Tavarius Shine added 14 all in the second half. But the 23 point deficit was too much for the Pokes, who actually outscored Texas by 10 in the second half. Jawun Evans was fresh off a 42 point outburst in Bedlam, but was contained to 12 points on just 4-13 shooting. It will be Tyree Griffin getting the start for the ninth straight game and he will have his hands full, even if his Texas counterpart isn't at 100 percent.
Isaiah Taylor, who was held to a mere five points on 1-10 shooting Monday against Kansas, is dealing with a plantar fasciitis in his heel which caused the 6-1 guard to miss some time in the Longhorn's blowout home loss to the Jayhawks. But Taylor has had nearly a week to rest and head coach Shaka Smart said he would be "amazed" if Taylor didn't play tonight. Taylor leads Texas in points, 15.1, and in assists with nearly five a game.
The Cowboys will need productivity from everyone tonight if they are to pull of the upset, including Jeffrey Carroll and Hammonds who both missed Mondays game at Iowa State. Carroll is dealing with an illness, while Hammonds is trying to shake off an ankle injury. Shine is also dealing with injury problems, as the sophomore suffered a shoulder injury last Monday as well. Shine is listed as probable, while Carroll and Hammonds are both uncertain.
There's one player the Cowboys can count on and that is Newberry. The only Cowboy to start all 30 games this year will be making his final appearance in Gallagher Iba. Olivier has also been quite dependable off the bench, as the graduate transfer will be leaving his mark on the program for the last time tonight as well. Newberry is averaging 11 points a game, while nabbing five rebounds a game, while Olivier is averaging eight points a game off the bench. Hopefully Olivier will get his first start of the season tonight, as the senior from Chicago has more than earned it.
Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and can be found on ESPN2.