Oklahoma State Cowgirls
Overall Rank: #17
Conference Rank: # 3 Big 12 
Oklahoma State Team Page
After suffering the tragic loss of Head Coach Kurt Budke and Assistant Coach Miranda Serna in an airplane crash on a recruiting trip back in 2011, Jim Littell was faced with an unbelievable challenge of taking the reins of the Cowgirl basketball program and keeping the program moving forward in the face of tragedy. Littell, heading into his third season, has a veteran team with four starters back. The team is looking for its third consecutive 20-win season and second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Littell has arguably done one of the best coaching jobs in women’s basketball these past two seasons by moving the Cowgirl program forward so quickly.
2012-13 Record: 22-11, 9-9
2012-13 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jim Littell, 3rd season
Coach Record: 43-23 at Oklahoma State, 628-117 overall
Strengths:
The Cowgirls are very dynamic at both ends of the court. The duo of Tiffany Bias in the backcourt and Liz Donohoe at forward will be the leaders of this Oklahoma State team this fall. Bias and Donohoe have received pre-season All-American honors from the Sporting News. Bias was a third-team selection and Donohoe a second team selection. Bias does an excellent job of scoring and taking care of the basketball as she had nearly two assists for every turnover last season. Donohoe can do it all as she can hit three pointers consistently and is an ace at the foul line where she shot over 90 percent last season. Sophomore Brittney Martin is another dangerous offensive weapon who scored just over ten points and caused just under three steals per game defensively as well.
Weaknesses:
The perimeter shooting and defense are a point of emphasis for this Cowgirl program heading into this upcoming season. The Cowgirls allowed roughly two more made three-point shots per game than what they made in 2012-13. This margin is something I think Coach Littell would like to see even this season, and if Oklahoma State can accomplish that, it should make them that much more dangerous at both ends of the floor. Offensively, the Cowgirls need to be just a little more efficient in shooting from three point range. An increase by about three or four percent would be huge and open up the inside even more for players like Kendra Suttles and newcomer Marisha Wallace, who was selected as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in a preseason coaches poll.
Final Projection:
The schedule prior to conference play is highlighted by a trip to the Puerto Rico Classic on December 19 and 21 where the Cowgirls will match up against Michigan State and Georgia Tech. These will be two excellent tests just before the holiday. The conference schedule has some good early tests, especially on the road with a trip to Iowa State and Hilton Coliseum, which is never easy. The Bedlam Matchup against Oklahoma in Norman on February 1 is another critical road game for the Cowgirls in their quest for a Big 12 Championship. The ability to win on the road in hostile environments is going to be the pivotal difference of whether or not Oklahoma State can break through and win the Big 12 regular season championship. The experience is in place and the ability to score the basketball and stop teams defensively is in place in Stillwater for the Cowgirls. The key is going to parlay the experience of players like Bias and Donohoe to carry this Oklahoma State team to contend for the Big 12 title and secure one of the precious top 16 seeds for the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Tiffany Bias, Senior, Guard, 12.0 points per game
Brittney Martin, Sophomore, Guard, 10.1 points per game
Liz Donohoe, Junior, Forward, 15.0 points per game
Marisha Wallace, Junior, Forward/Center, DNP last season
Kendra Suttles, Senior, Center, 9.7 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.4 (14th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.7 (121, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.5 (14, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.6 (67, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.4 (209, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.7 (46, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.2 (11, 2)
Rebound Margin: 6.8 (23, 4)
Assists Per Game: 16.1 (18, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.7 (55, 4)
Madness 2014 WNBA Draft Rankings:
#17 Tiffany Bias
Madness 2013 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#31 Roshunda Johnson
#54 Katelyn Loecker
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