Oklahoma State Cowgirls
Overall Rank: #41
Conference Rank: #5 Big 12
Oklahoma State rebounded nicely from a disappointing 2016-2017 campaign to reach the NCAA Tournament last season. The Cowgirls won 21 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament thanks to a big 84-57 victory over Syracuse. However, that was an experienced team and now Coach Jim Littell needs to replace four starters, including top scorers Loryn Goodwin and Kaylee Jensen. Those two combined to average 39.1 points and 17.6 rebounds. Goodwin also ran the point and dished out 5.5 assists per game.
2017-18 Record: 21-11, 11-7
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jim Littell
Coach Record: 147-80 at Oklahoma State, 147-80 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Loryn Goodwin, Guard, 20.6 ppg
Kaylee Jensen, Center, 18.5 ppg
Areanna Combs, Guard, 8.5 ppg
Mandy Coleman, Forward, 7.9 ppg
Jentry Holt, Forward, 3.2 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Braxtin Miller, Sophomore, Guard, 11.7 ppg
Jaden Hobbs, Sophomore, Guard, 4.6 ppg
Maria Castro, Senior, Guard, 4.0 ppg
LaTashia Jones, Senior, Forward, 2.8 ppg
Karli Wheeler, Senior, Guard, 1.6 ppg
Abbie Winchester, Sophomore, Forward, 0.6 ppg
Key New Players
Ja’Mee Asberry, RS Freshman, Guard
Kassidy De Lapp, Freshman, Forward
Clitan de Sousa, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Bryn Gerlich, Freshman, Forward
Mariam Gnanou, Junior, Center, JC Transfer
Olivia Gray, Sophomore, Guard, JC Transfer
Vivian Gray, Sophomore, Forward, JC Transfer
Projection:
Braxtin Miller is the only returning player who averaged over five points per game. As a freshman last year, Miller was third on the team with 11.7 points per game and connected on a team high 55 three-pointers. Miller should emerge as Oklahoma State’s top scoring threat. Fellow sophomore Jaden Hobbs can score too. She connected on 43.6 percent of her three-point attempts. Hobbs only took a handful of shots inside the arc and it would be beneficial if she develops more of an offensive game. Regardless, Hobbs will be a dangerous shooter off the bench. Seniors Maria Castro, Karli Wheeler and LaTashia Jones all have experience and should play larger roles this season. Coach Littell has also brought in four junior college transfers to help add some experience to the roster. Center Mariam Gananou and forward Vivian Gray are perhaps the most important of the newcomers. The Cowgirls need options in the frontcourt and those two have the experience and talent to make a big impact. Freshman Kassidy De Lapp, a 6-3 forward, is the highest regarded of the three freshmen. If the frontcourt can find a couple new playmakers, this is a team that can get back to the NCAA Tournament despite all of the new faces.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 78.3 (21st in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 67.6 (237, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.6 (78, 6)
Field-Goal Defense:41.9 (269, 9)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.1 (78, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.0 (83, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.2 (63, 3)
Rebound Margin: 1.5 (139, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.7 (94, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.6 (8, 1)
Madness 2018 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#133 Kassidy DeLapp
