Oklahoma State Cowboys
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #41
Conference Rank: #6 Big 12
Oklahoma State failed to make the NCAA Tournament, but their 2017-18 season was viewed a success by many. The Cowboys won eight games in the best conference in the nation, including victories over Kansas twice, Texas Tech, West Virginia and Oklahoma twice. This season, Oklahoma State will be reloading as they lost three starters and four of their top six scorers. Mike Boynton impressed in his first season at the helm in Stillwater, but this year’s expectations will include a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
2017-18 Record: 21-15, 8-10
2017-18 Postseason: NIT
Coach: Mike Boynton
Coach Record: 21-15 at Oklahoma State, 21-15 overall
Key Departed Players:
Jeffrey Carroll, Forward, 15.4 ppg
Kendall Smith, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Tavarius Shine, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Mitchell Solomon, Center, 8.5 ppg
Brandon Averette, Guard, 6.3 ppg
Jeffrey Carroll, Forward, 15.4 ppg
Kendall Smith, Guard, 13.1 ppg
Tavarius Shine, Guard, 9.7 ppg
Mitchell Solomon, Center, 8.5 ppg
Brandon Averette, Guard, 6.3 ppg
Yankuba Sima, Center, 3.7 ppg
Lucas N’Guessan, Center, 1.5 ppg
Lucas N’Guessan, Center, 1.5 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Lindy Waters, Junior, Guard, 8.7 ppg
Cameron McGriff, Junior, Forward, 8.4 ppg
Cameron McGriff, Junior, Forward, 8.4 ppg
Thomas Dziagwa, Junior, Guard, 4.9 ppg
Key New Players:
Yor Anei, Freshman, Forward
Maurice Calloo, Freshman, Forward
Mike Cunningham, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from USC Upstate
Duncan Demuth, Freshman, Forward
Kentrevious Jones, Freshman, Forward
Isaac Likekele, Freshman, Guard
Michael Weathers, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Miami (OH)
Yor Anei, Freshman, Forward
Maurice Calloo, Freshman, Forward
Mike Cunningham, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from USC Upstate
Duncan Demuth, Freshman, Forward
Kentrevious Jones, Freshman, Forward
Isaac Likekele, Freshman, Guard
Michael Weathers, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Miami (OH)
Projection:
Oklahoma State returns two starters from 2017-18. Lindy Waters started 31 games as a sophomore, averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Waters is a sharpshooter who shot 37.3% from three last season, and he will be expected to become a number one scoring option this season. Cameron McGriff started 17 games last year and averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. Thomas Dziagwa is the only other returning contributor from last season. Dziagwa played 10.1 minutes per game, averaging 4.9 points and 1.2 rebounds. The Cowboys will have two transfers joining the roster this season. Mike Cunningham is a graduate transfer from USC Upstate where he started 81 games in three seasons. Cunningham averaged 13.7 points as a junior and will look to carry that scoring ability over to the Big 12. Michael Weathers spent one season at Miami (OH) and started 28 games as a freshman. Weathers was named the MAC Freshman of the Year behind 16.7 points, 4.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. The Big 12 is much more competitive than the MAC, but Weathers has the talent to become an all-conference player for the Cowboys. Oklahoma State will also have five freshmen to add depth to the roster this season. All five first-year players were three-star recruits. Isaac Likekele was the highest ranked of the group, just outside the top-150. Mike Boynton overachieved in year one at Oklahoma State, but the expectations will be higher in year two. Competing in the Big 12 is never easy, but the Cowboys should find themselves in the thick of the race to a conference title.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.6 (89th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.3 (198, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.1 (257, 10)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.7 (165, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.2 (112, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.8 (186, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.7 (39, 2)
Rebound Margin: 1.6 (126, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.3 (118, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.9 (176, 8)
