STILLWATER, OKLA. ? While Oklahoma State was finishing off its impressive run to the Big 12 tournament title, the NCAA selection committee wasn’t even paying attention.

Figures.

The Cowboys have gotten used to winning games in relative obscurity, putting together one of the nation’s best seasons with none of the fanfare that accompanies established powers like Duke or Kentucky.

“We’re still not getting that respect that we’re supposed to be getting,” point guard John Lucas III said. “It’s more of a motivation to prove everybody wrong.”

Oklahoma State will begin its quest for proper recognition as the No. 2 seed in the East Rutherford Regional, playing Eastern Washington, the Big Sky Conference champs, Friday night in Kansas City, Mo.

Nobody expected much from Oklahoma State when the season began. Most preseason polls picked the Cowboys to finish fifth in the Big 12 as they tried to replace four starters from a team that nearly knocked off eventual national champion Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament.

And unlike Eddie Sutton’s previous title-contending teams at Oklahoma State, there was no undeniable star like Byron Houston, Bryant “Big Country” Reeves or Desmond Mason.

“I think when you looked at the talent that was returning,” Sutton said, “it was a pretty accurate pick.”

Sutton liked their potential, but wasn’t sure if his trio of transfers — Lucas of Baylor, power forward Joey Graham of Central Florida and shooting guard Daniel Bobik of BYU — would mesh with holdovers Tony Allen and Ivan McFarlin.

Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton waves the net after making the cut at the Big 12 Conference tournament championship game. The Cowboys feel slighted nationally, despite the fact they won the Big 12 regular-season and postseason tournament titles.

That wasn’t a problem, with Lucas emerging as the undisputed leader.

Lucas, son of former NBA star and coach John Lucas Jr., embraced the team camaraderie that he longed for at problem-plagued Baylor and marveled at the team’s rabid fan base.

“I’m in a terrific situation, and I’m around the best guys that I’ve ever been in my life,” Lucas said. “I’ve been saying from jump that we were going to win the conference and have a great season.”

The Cowboys’ soft inside play in a loss at BYU in the fifth game became the turning point. Sutton brought football helmets and shoulder pads to the next practice, helping develop a toughness that has become their hallmark.

Oklahoma State (27-3) lost only twice more, winning its first outright conference title since 1965 and becoming the first regular-season Big 12 champion to win the postseason tournament since Iowa State in 2000.

“Oklahoma State can beat anybody in the country,” said Texas coach Rick Barnes, whose Longhorns lost to the Cowboys three times this season. “Believe me.”