Oklahoma State Stuns No. 14 BYU in Signature Win Under Steve Lutz
In a game that could reshape their postseason outlook, Oklahoma State delivered its most impressive performance of the season, knocking off No. 14 BYU 99-92 in Stillwater.
It was more than just a win - it was a statement. And for head coach Steve Lutz, it marked the biggest moment of his OSU tenure.
The Cowboys, now 16-6 on the year, notched their first Quad 1 victory - a critical metric for NCAA Tournament selection - and moved one step closer to relevance in March. For a program that’s only danced once in the last eight seasons, that’s no small thing.
Lutz’s Blueprint Starting to Take Shape
Lutz isn’t the type to get swept up in the emotion of a court storming. After the final buzzer, he offered a few high-fives and hugs, then quietly made his way off the floor.
But don’t mistake that calm demeanor for a lack of appreciation. He knows how big this win is - and he’s been here before.
“I’ve been blessed, right?” Lutz said postgame.
“My first three years as a head coach, I went to three NCAA Tournaments. My fourth year, we went to the NIT.
I’ve been around a lot of winning.”
That experience is shaping the culture in Stillwater. Lutz was brought in to get OSU back into the Big 12 mix and back into the NCAA Tournament.
A year ago, the Cowboys weren’t even in the conversation. Now, they’re firmly in the hunt.
“We’ve got to finish it off,” Lutz said. “We’ve got to make sure we get there.”
Quad 1 Win Puts Cowboys on the Map
Beating BYU wasn’t just a feel-good upset - it was a resume builder. The Cougars came into the game ranked 15th in the NCAA’s NET rankings, making this a true Quad 1 win.
OSU had been 0-4 in Quad 1 games before Wednesday night. Now, they’ve got that elusive top-tier victory under their belt.
Here’s how the breakdown looks: OSU is now 1-4 against Quad 1 teams, but a combined 15-2 against Quad 2, 3, and 4 opponents. That kind of consistency against the rest of the field keeps them in the mix. And with five more Quad 1 opportunities on the schedule - including showdowns with Arizona, Kansas, and Houston - there’s still plenty of meat left on the bone.
“If you want to put yourself in the mix, you’ve got to win those games,” Lutz said. “Our RPI continues to climb, our NET continues to get better, our wins above the bubble is fantastic. We’re gonna have to make the selection committee make a decision if we can keep doing this.”
Star Power on Both Sides
This game had no shortage of fireworks. BYU’s freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, projected as a top-three NBA Draft pick, was electric - finishing with 36 points in a performance that showcased why scouts are so high on him.
But OSU had its own answer: Anthony Roy. The veteran guard poured in 30 points of his own, matching Dybantsa shot-for-shot and giving the Cowboys the offensive jolt they needed.
Roy, who’s made stops at six different schools across three levels of college basketball, has never played in the NCAA Tournament. That’s part of what’s fueling his fire.
“That’s what we’ve been talking about since we arrived on campus,” Roy said. “We want to play in March.
I’ve never played in March. I feel like everyone in the locker room is bought in on trying to achieve that goal.”
And when OSU scores, they win. The Cowboys are now a perfect 16-0 when they put up at least 81 points - a threshold they cleared with room to spare against BYU.
A Win That Actually Moves the Needle
Last season, OSU pulled off a similar upset over a top-10 Iowa State team. The fans rushed the floor then too.
But that win came with the Cowboys sitting at .500 and already out of the tournament picture. It was a feel-good moment, but not one with lasting impact.
This one feels different.
OSU is now 16-6 overall, 4-5 in Big 12 play, and already past last season’s win total. The BYU win doesn’t just make for a great highlight - it gives the Cowboys a legitimate shot at building a tournament-worthy resume.
That road is still steep. The Big 12 is a gauntlet, and the Cowboys will need to stack more wins against top-tier opponents. But the opportunity is there - and that’s something OSU fans haven’t been able to say with confidence in a while.
Lutz Keeping the Focus Forward
There’s no time for a victory lap. Lutz made that clear. The next morning, he was already back to work.
“There’s gonna be highs and lows,” he said. “But tomorrow morning, at 5 a.m. or whatever time, I’m gonna wake up and I’m gonna come back to the office and we’re gonna do this again. … The hard work never goes away.”
That’s the mindset he’s trying to instill in his team. Win or lose, the grind doesn’t stop.
But even the most stone-faced coaches have their moments. And after the biggest win of his OSU career, Lutz may have let one slip.
“I might have seen a little smile,” Roy said.
Hard-earned - and well deserved.