Carroll says ‘we can’t afford to lose anymore’
Staff Writer nruiz@oklahoman.com — Behind a concerted rebounded effort, the Oklahoma State basketball team downed its rival to advance to the Big 12 tournament quarterfinals.
In the Cowboys’ 71-60 victory over Oklahoma on Wednesday, they had a 53-27 rebounding advantage. OSU senior guard Jeffrey Carroll matched a career high by pulling down 13 board, adding 13 points, as well.
With the victory, the Cowboys have won three straight and four of their previous five games. OSU faces No. 1 seed Kansas in the Big 12 quarterfinals at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Sprint Center.
Q: What changed this team’s focus in recent weeks?
I think that Tech win kind of pushed us forward. Just knowing that we can’t afford to lose anymore, especially where we’re trying to go. It’s just trying to take that focus and apply it to KU last week and today, as well.
You and your team outrebounded OU 53-27. What caused that?
That’s just all toughness. We’re known for that. If we do that we’ll be in great shape to win every night.
OU scored a season-low 60 points. What did you guys do so well against Trae Young to slow the Sooners down?
He’s a great player, so we just tried to contain him.
How much will it help you that Kansas will be without Udoka Azubuike on Thursday
A lot, but they’re still a pretty good team without him, so we’ve got to take last weeks focus and just try to get it going for tomorrow.
Will it be difficult playing back-to-back days?
We play at (1:30) tomorrow, so that’s not even 24 hours, so I mean, we won’t be rested, but just focus and we’ll be fine.
Coming off your last game against KU, an 18-point victory Saturday, do you think it helps or hurts you to be playing them against so soon?
I don’t know. It’s still going to be a dogfight because I’m sure that they’re pretty pissed off about the past two times that we’ve played them, so it’s gonna be a pretty good game.