OSU-Texas: Five Things

Markel Brown figures to get the call to slow UT's J'Covan Brown. It's a key matchup, if the Longhorn is healthy.

By John Helsley

jhelsley@opubco.com

follow on Twitter @jjhelsley

OklahomaState’s 1-0 start to Big 12 Conference play stirred optimism – for a few days.

No reason to get carried away, the Cowboys’ win league-opening win over Texas Tech was expected, with the Red Raiders filling the role as Big 12 bottom feeder while Billy Gillispie sorts things out inLubbock.

Tonight’s game at Texasis a better barometer.
The Longhorns are a powerhouse in name only, left to rebuild when too many players bolted for the NBA last spring. Six freshmen play – and three start – in Rick Barnes’ nine-man rotation.

Of course, they’re good freshmen. AndTexasis 9-0 at home.

Still, the Horns, 10-4, don’t own any notable wins and have lost toOregon State,North CarolinaState,North CarolinaandIowaState. And their best player, junior J’Covan Brown – UT’s leading scorer at 19.3 ppg – is questionable tonight with a sprained ankle suffered in the Wednesday loss atIowaState.

So let’s see what the Cowboys got.

Five things to watch:

1. The Brown Dilemma. The news on UT’s Brown couldn’t come at a better time, with OSU’s Markel Brown still recovering from his butt-muscle strain. Markel is the Cowboys’ best defender and he’ll draw the assignment on J’Covan if he goes.