Must win! Do or die! Win or go stay home! We must protect this house! My liver can't handle another loss!
Pick your own flavor of urgency -- they all apply. We've gone round and round talking about this team, its issues, and some of the things they might try to get over the hump to the next level. The only difference now is that Texas -- after having coughed up two in a row at home and a giveaway on the road -- finds itself on the verge of collapse. A fourth straight loss knocks the 'Horns under .500, all but out of contention for a first round bye in the Big 12 tournament, and smack onto the NCAA bubble, with "work to do" to get back into the field.
The good news: Oklahoma State has not defeated a Top 50 team this season.
The bad news: The Cowboys are a more athletic version of Nebraska, who we couldn't dispatch three days ago.
What to expect? Ideally, Texas can get 20-25 good minutes out of Pittman, who the Cowpokes lack the personnel to defend. I wouldn't mind if Gary Johnson snapped his string of three straight horrible games. Damion James assertiveness would be fun. Division 1 basketball from Connor Atchley can't hurt.
I honestly don't know. Obviously, the team needs to get out there, play strong team defense, and win the rebounding battle with the undersized Cowboys; but also it needs to freaking run a little bit when Dexter Pittman isn't in the game. Play with a little aggressiveness and willingness to attack the rim. Anything but the halfcourt mess we've seen over and over the last two weeks.
Hook 'em