Lots of storylines here.
Well, at least one.
Texas is trying to both defend its NIT title and save Shaka Smart’s job.
But Oklahoma State’s also probably coming to the NIT.
Oklahoma – 11.4% NIT-Likely Entering Today
Oklahoma’s probably not coming to play with us.
But if they lose to West Virginia by enough tomorrow…
Texas Tech – 50.9% NIT-Likely
This goes against the conventional wisdom, but it really does look like Texas Tech has a chance. They’ve just lost a lot of games, including their last four, and the DePaul and TCU losses have aged well (for these purposes). Lose to Texas, and Chris Beard may have proved the critics wrong yet again.
Texas – 81.6% NIT-Likely, Projected Three-Seed
It’s possible the Longhorns could still make the NIT with a victory over Texas Tech tomorrow, but if they want to feel secure about their place in the field, they’ll need a loss. Best-case scenario? Win, almost beat Kansas, sign Shaka Smart to a contract extension, watch a bunch of bid thieves materialize to salvage the NIT dream.
Oklahoma State – 90.6% NIT-Likely, Projected Three-Seed
The ‘Pokes have done this in the opposite manner of Texas Tech, rising from the ashes rather than diving into this beautiful, NIT-filled dust.
They’ve also done it more effectively than their neighbors to the…southwest? Not positive how far north Lubbock is. Anyway, OK State’s probably in. Just needs to avoid beating Kansas to be safe.
TCU – 14.2% NIT-Likely
Jamie Dixon’s guys aren’t dead yet, everybody.
Iowa State – 0.7% NIT-Likely
But the Cyclones probably are.
