As we approach the heart of the college basketball season, Oklahoma State’s women’s team finds itself in a familiar position-fighting not just for wins, but for respect. The Cowgirls are currently ranked 27th in the NET, which doesn’t directly translate to NCAA Tournament seeding but gives us a solid sense of where they stand nationally.
Right now, that puts them in the mix for a projected No. 6 seed, according to ESPN’s Charlie Creme. That’s somewhere in the 21-24 range overall-solid, but with plenty of room to climb.
Head coach Jacie Hoyt isn’t here to settle for “solid.” She’s building a program that wants more than just a ticket to the dance. The Cowgirls are aiming to make noise in the Big 12, and that starts with stacking up wins that matter-specifically in Quad 1 and Quad 2 matchups, the metrics that the NCAA selection committee leans on heavily come March.
So far, OSU is 0-1 in Quad 1 games (a loss to Oklahoma) and 1-0 in Quad 2 (a win over Miami). That’s a small sample size, but the opportunity to build that résumé is right around the corner. The Big 12 schedule is loaded with chances to make a statement, with five remaining Quad 1 games and seven more Quad 2 opportunities on the regular-season slate.
Let’s break down six games that could define the Cowgirls’ path to March-and potentially determine whether they’re hosting in the first weekend or packing their bags early.
Dec. 31 - Home vs No. 15 Baylor (NET: 28)
This one is sneaky big. Baylor is just outside the Quad 1 threshold, so depending on how things shift, this could land in either Q1 or Q2 territory.
Either way, it’s a high-value game. The Bears’ only losses have come to top-11 teams, and they haven’t played many true road games-just one, an eight-point win at UNLV.
If OSU can protect home court here, it’s a résumé win that could age well.
Jan. 7 - At No. 9 TCU (NET: 8)
Circle this one in red. TCU is currently unbeaten at 11-0 and represents the highest-ranked opponent left on OSU’s schedule.
It’s a road game, which adds difficulty but also gives the Cowgirls a shot at a high-leverage win without the pressure of expectation. If they pull this off, we can start having real conversations about a top-16 seed-and the potential of hosting in the NCAA Tournament.
There’s one caveat: TCU’s schedule hasn’t exactly been a gauntlet. Outside of one Quad 1 and one Quad 2 opponent, the rest of their wins have come against Quad 4 teams. They’ll face a couple of tougher matchups before OSU comes to town, which should give us a better sense of just how battle-tested they are.
Jan. 18 - Home vs No. 10 Iowa State (NET: 13)
Just 11 days after the TCU showdown, the Cowgirls get another shot at a top-15 team-this time in Stillwater. Iowa State is a tough, well-rounded squad, and this will be the first of two meetings between these Big 12 contenders. Depending on how the TCU game goes, this could either be a momentum builder or a critical bounce-back opportunity.
The Cyclones won’t be walking into this one fresh, either. They’ll have just faced West Virginia at home and will be coming off a road trip to Colorado, which is quietly putting together a strong season. That could play into OSU’s hands if they come out sharp.
Feb. 4 - At Arizona State (NET: 44)
This is one of those games that could fly under the radar but end up being a big deal on Selection Sunday. Arizona State is just four spots away from Quad 1 territory, and if they keep trending upward, this could sneak into that top quadrant. Even if it stays a Quad 2, it’s a road win that would carry weight.
For a team like OSU trying to climb from the 6-seed range into the top 4, these are the kinds of games that separate the contenders from the pack.
Feb. 14 - Home vs Texas Tech (NET: 22)
Texas Tech is off to a hot start at 13-0 and is knocking on the door of the AP Top 25. If they keep it up, this could be a ranked-vs-ranked showdown by mid-February. Even if it’s not, it’s still a home game against a top-25 NET opponent, which means another chance to add a quality win to the board.
This one could also have Big 12 standings implications, depending on how the next month plays out.
Feb. 21 - At West Virginia (NET: 25)
This is where things start to get real. The Cowgirls finish the regular season with a road swing through West Virginia and Iowa State before coming home to face Kansas. That WVU game is likely their last guaranteed Quad 1 opportunity before the Big 12 Tournament.
If OSU is still hovering around the 6-seed line by late February, this could be the win that pushes them over the top-or the missed chance that lingers come Selection Sunday.
Other Notable Games at Home:
- Jan. 28 vs BYU (NET: 52)
- Feb. 16 vs Utah (NET: 45)
Both of these could end up as Quad 2 matchups, depending on how the NET shakes out. They’re not headline games, but they matter. Every win in the top two quadrants helps build the case.
The Bottom Line:
Oklahoma State has the pieces. They’ve got a coach who’s not afraid to aim high, a team that’s hungry, and a schedule that offers plenty of chances to prove they belong on the national stage.
The path to a top-4 seed-and a chance to host in March-runs through these next two months. It’s not going to be easy, but the opportunity is there.
Now it’s about execution. The Cowgirls don’t just want to go dancing. They want to lead the conga line.