Late collapses have Oklahoma, Arizona State feeling nervous

After being ranked in the top five earlier this season, Arizona State and Oklahoma suddenly find their NCAA Tournament hopes in question.

Both teams continued their late-season collapses Tuesday by losing early in their respective conference tournaments. Arizona State fell 97-85 to Colorado in the Pac-12 Tournament at Las Vegas, while Oklahoma lost 71-60 to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament at Kansas City.

Oklahoma (18-13) has lost eight of its last 10 games. Arizona State (20-11) has dropped five of its last six.

Oklahoma seems in better shape than Arizona State.

Both teams finished below .500 in their conference schedules, but the Big 12 is stronger than the Pac-12. Oklahoma entered Wednesday’s action 36th in the RPI, while Arizona State was 58th. Oklahoma has an impressive six Quadrant 1 wins, while Arizona State has three.

On the rise

Oklahoma State: The team that swept its regular-season series with Kansas gave its NCAA credentials another boost with its victory over Oklahoma. The Cowboys (19-13) still could have more work to do. Oklahoma State went 8-10 in Big 12 competition and entered Wednesday’s action 89th in the RPI, thanks in part to a weak nonconference schedule.

Texas: The Longhorns (19-13) avoided a potentially crushing loss by gutting out a 68-64 victory over Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament. Texas overcame the absence of Big 12 rebounding leader Mohamed Bamba.