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Longhorns host Oklahoma State with eye on share of Big 12 title

Mar 9, 2008 - 1:39 PM Oklahoma St (16-13) at No. 9 Texas (25-5) 4:00 pm EDT

AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) - Kevin Durant may have missed out on a special season.

Despite the loss of Durant, ninth-ranked Texas has a chance to clinch at least a share of the Big 12 Conference title with a win over Oklahoma State on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The 2006 National Player of the Year, Durant averaged 25.8 points in one season before leaving and becoming the No. 2 pick of last June's NBA draft.

But Durant's absence has not adversely affected the Longhorns (25-5, 12-3 Big 12) who failed to win the conference last season. In fact, Durant's squad was the only Texas team in the last three seasons that did not have a shot at the conference title at season's end.

This season's team has a shot at a share of the title thanks to a 72-69 home win over Kansas on February 11.

A big reason for their success is the play of sophomore point guard D.J. Augustin, who is averaging 19.8 points and 5.8 assists. Augustin led the way with 22 points and five assists as the Longhorns posted a 70-66 victory over Nebraska on March 1.

It was the 11th straight home conference win for Texas, which can set a new school record with its 17th win here. A win would also give the Longhorns the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 tournament, which starts on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State (16-13, 7-8) will likely miss the NCAA Tournament barring an unlikely run through the Big 12 tournament. The Cowboys had a five-game winning streak snapped with a 68-58 loss to Oklahoma on Wednesday.

The Longhorns notched a 63-61 victory over Oklahoma State on January 21 behind 26 points from Augustin. Texas has won three straight meetings between the teams, and 11 of the last 13 here.