What lies ahead for Oklahoma State women's basketball in Big 12 Tournament? Our predictions

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State has one last opportunity to boost its standing for the NCAA women’s basketball tournament selection committee, and that comes this week in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Cowgirls (23-8) earned a No. 4 seed and double-bye at the Big 12 Tournament by virtue of their 12-6 conference record and will open play in the quarterfinals at 11 a.m. Friday from the T-Mobile Center.

OSU will face whoever survives the first two rounds out of No. 5 Texas Tech, No. 12 Kansas State and No. 13 Cincinnati, with the Cowgirls’ quarterfinal matchup broadcast on ESPNU.

The Cowgirls finished tied for fourth with Texas Tech in the Big 12 standings, but held the tiebreaker after defeating the Red Raiders at Gallagher-Iba Arena in their only regular-season meeting.

Should they meet again, it would be another opportunity at a Quad 1 win for OSU, which is 1-3 in such games. 

Here’s a look at how The Oklahoman’s Jenni Carlson, Joe Mussatto and Scott Wright view the Cowgirls’ situation and the Big 12 Tournament:

More: Big 12 women's basketball tournament bracket, schedule. Who is Oklahoma State playing?

How far will Oklahoma State go in the Big 12 Tournament?

Carlson: Semifinals. I like OSU's chances in the quarterfinals against the winner of Texas Tech vs Kansas or Cincinnati. But win that game, and the Cowgirls would face No. 1 seed TCU. The Horned Frogs are too big a handful.

Mussatto: Semifinal round. No. 4 seed OSU will likely play No. 5 seed Texas Tech in the quarterfinals. The Cowgirls beat the Red Raiders 75-65 in the regular season, which was a huge win for OSU — especially in hindsight with the Cowgirls getting a double bye in the tournament. I think OSU will beat Texas Tech. I do not think OSU will beat TCU, which would almost certainly await in the semifinals. 

Wright: Runner-up. The Cowgirls are heading in the right direction at the right time, coming off two solid wins to close the regular season, including a key road victory at Iowa State. That is important because they’ve had a so-so year away from Gallagher-Iba Arena with a 7-7 record. OSU has enough weapons on both ends of the floor to be a dangerous matchup for anyone, including TCU.

More: Achol Akot powers Oklahoma State women's basketball past Kansas for Big 12's fourth seed

Who will win the Big 12 Tournament?

Carlson: Give me TCU. The Horned Frogs should be motivated since they were last slotted as the No. 11 overall team, earning a No. 3 seed. That means a less-than-stellar showing could move them to yikes territory and a No. 4 seed. Winning the tournament would boost their stock.

Mussatto: TCU. Hailey Van Lith led the Horned Frogs to the conference tournament championship last season. Now it’s Olivia Miles’ turn. 

Wright: West Virginia. The Mountaineers enter the postseason as hot as anyone in the league with 10 wins in their last 12 games. TCU is the top seed and the favorite but not head-and-shoulders above the rest of the conference. The Mountaineers also have the best road record of any Big 12 team this year, which could be a key to survival.

More: Oklahoma State basketball pulls away from UCF in OT behind Kanye Clary, Anthony Roy

What seed will OSU get in the NCAA Tournament?

Carlson: An eight or nine seems most likely, and I'll give the Cowgirls the benefit of the doubt and go No. 8. Which means a second-round game against a No. 1. But hey, get in there and dance and see what happens.

Mussatto: The Cowgirls are 29th in the NCAA’s NET rankings. Texas Tech is 31st. If OSU logs another quality win over Tech, a No. 8 seed seems likely. OSU was a No. 7 seed last season.

Wright: With a run to the title game, look for OSU to snag a No. 7 seed. Getting to the finals this week would give the Cowgirls three more Quad 1 opportunities, an element that is lacking on their NET ranking. 

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 women's basketball tournament predictions, NCAA bracketology