Oklahoma State men's basketball: Cowboys upend No. 6-ranked North Carolina State

Defense certainly helped win this championship.

And with it, topped by taking down a veteran team ranked among the nation's elite, the Cowboys gained ground on going for more.

“This gives us confidence that we can contend with great teams,” Smart said. “This was kind of a statement game for ourselves, letting us know that we can compete with anybody as long as we stay focused. And we did that tonight.”

Overcoming Adversity: The Cowboys beat three teams — N.C. State, Tennessee and Akron — that Ford said he believes will make the NCAA Tournament. And they did it with an already short roster that kept taking hits, with Jéan-Paul Olukemi and Marek Soucek lost at points in Puerto Rico.

“Everybody can be proud of this team,” Ford said. “We have fought a lot of adversity, injuries and different things. But not once have we talked about it with the team. They haven't talked about it. They haven't used it as an excuse. As we keep telling them, ‘Whoever laces their shoes up will play.'

“The effort they put out these three games was exciting to watch.”

Quotable: “We came out casual, and like in a prize fight, they took it to us,” said N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried.

Up Next: The Cowboys get a week off before returning home to face Portland State on Sunday at 1 p.m. inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.