Oklahoma State Basketball: Cowboys are a sleeper in the Big 12
With conference play just around the corner and an impressive resume, fans should pay attention to Oklahoma State as a sleeper in the Big 12.
After a 93-76 victory against a formidable opponent in the Wichita State Shockers, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are looking like a dark horse in the Big 12 title race. The victory moved the Cowboys to 9-2 on the season. It was the third win for the Pokes over a tournament team from last season. The other two are UConn and Tulsa.
It was the third win for the Pokes over a tournament team from last season. The other two are UConn and Tulsa. Moreover, the only two losses for OK State came against a top 10 team in the North Carolina Tar Heels and a tough road loss by one point to a one-loss Maryland Terrapins team.
OK State was a 7.5 point underdog against the Shockers, according to Odds Shark. However, coming out with a 17 point victory on the road should prove a point to the college basketball world.
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The Pokes are third in the nation in points per game at 93.5 and fifth in the nation in steals at 10.91 per game. Furthermore, they’re first in the Big 12 in free throw percentage, which could prove to be huge come conference play. With new head coach Brad Underwood, OK State looks like a brand new team.
Sophomore point guard Jawun Evans is among the nation’s best players, not to mention point guards. He is averaging 21.6 points per game, 4.7 assists, and 2.7 steals. All while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 56.0 percent from three point range.
Junior forward Jeffrey Carroll is the most improved player on the Cowboys roster and possibly the most improved player in the Big 12. He is averaging 16.5 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. Carroll is shooting 59.8 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from three point range. The most impressive part of Carroll’s stats right now is his per 40-minute averages. He is averaging 29.6 points per 40 minutes and 13.1 rebounds.
The depth available for Underwood is also one of the biggest improvements the Pokes have seen from last year. There are three freshmen that have provided OK State will a new level of depth including point guard Brandon Averette, guard Lindy Waters III, and forward Cameron McGriff. Averette and McGriff are both averaging more than 4.5 points per game in limited minutes.
OK State currently possesses a better record than three tremendously talented Big 12 teams in Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Texas. Considering the Pokes played tough opponents such as UNC, UConn, Georgetown, Wichita State, Tulsa, and Maryland, they are a credible threat to top Big 12 teams entering conference play.
West Virginia is the first team to come into Stillwater to take on the Cowboys on Dec. 30 at 3:00 p.m. CT. This will be one of the bigger home tests for the Pokes during Big 12 conference play. The following week, OK State will get another huge test against the no. 7 Baylor Bears on the road.
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The Cowboys are looking to exceed expectations considering they were ranked no. seven in the Big 12 preseason rankings, according to big12sports.com. They could be a major player in the Big 12 race even if they don’t finish in the top three.