Oklahoma State Cowboys
Big 12 (21-12, 8-10)
Everything appeared to be going as planned for Oklahoma State. They cruised through non-conference play with just one loss and started Big 12 play relatively well too. But a seven game losing streak spanning from late January to late February put the Cowboys well down the conference pecking order. A three game suspension to Marcus Smart for an altercation with a fan personified the trouble this team had during that stretch.
Big Wins: 11/19 Memphis (101-80), 1/8 Texas (87-74), 3/1 Kansas (72-65)
Bad Losses: 1/4 at Kansas State (71-74), 2/1 Baylor (70-76), 2/8 at Texas Tech (61-65)
Coach: Travis Ford (6 seasons at Oklahoma State)
Why They Can Surprise:
Any team that boasts talent like Smart, Markel Brown and Le’Bryan Nash is going to be dangerous in the postseason. Smart is a dynamic offensive presence who averages 17.8 points per game. His defense and passing abilities are often overlooked, but it was clear just how important he is when the Cowboys had to play without him. Brown has a little more consistency to his outside shot than Smart, but can attack the rim just as effectively. Nash is a great slasher in his own right. He is not a threat to shoot from long range, yet he will take advantage of the opposition paying too much attention to Smart and Brown. The story is the same for sharpshooter Phil Forte. Last year he set a school record for three-pointers made by a freshman and he has easily eclipsed that mark as a sophomore.
Why They Can Disappoint:
For Oklahoma State it comes down to which team shows up. There was good reason was Coach Travis Ford’s squad spent part of the year ranked in the top ten. If the defense can buckle down, the offense can outscore anybody. Smart, Brown and Nash could have gone to the NBA after last season, but wanted to come back and do more in the postseason than they did in 2012-2013.
Probable Starters:
Marcus Smart, Sophomore, Guard, 17.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 5.7 rpg, 2.8 spg
Phil Forte, Sophomore, Guard, 13.3 ppg, 1.3 apg
Markel Brown, Senior, Guard, 17.1 ppg, 2.9 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Le’Bryan Nash, Junior, Forward, 14.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Kamari Murphy, Sophomore, Forward, 6.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Leyton Hammonds, Freshman, Forward, 1.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Brian Williams, Junior, Guard, 6.2 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.7 (15th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.1 (148, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.7 (56, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.4 (39, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.1 (86, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.0 (71, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.3 (85, 5)
Rebound Margin: -1.2 (233, 9)
Assists Per Game: 13.9 (86, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.7 (45, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2013 NCAA Second Round loss to Oregon
2011 NIT First Round win over Harvard
2011 NIT Second Round loss to Washington State
2010 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Georgia Tech
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tennessee
2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Pittsburgh
2008 NIT First Round loss to Southern Illinois
2007 NIT First Round loss to Marist
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
