Big 12 Basketball: Big XII Preseason Team Power Rankings

Mar 19, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys player Phil Forte is interviewed during practice before the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

7. Oklahoma State

Gone is four-year starter LeBryan Nash, and that takes away the leading scorer from an already putrid offense. Anthony Hickey, the anchor of the press that Travis Ford likes to run, and Michael Cobbins, the anchor of their halfcourt defense, are also gone. So what does Oklahoma State turn to other than Phil Forte shooting from halfcourt every time?

The answer is freshman point guard Jawun Evans. He’s going to be handed the keys to the entire Oklahoma State basketball program and he’ll drive it wherever he wants to take it. The issue is nobody knows where that is. And Travis Ford’s job is on the line. Fun times in Stillwater!

Oklahoma State will win the conference if…

Phil Forte spent every hour of every day in the gym this summer and morphed into Shabazz Napier.

Wait, let’s try this again…

Oklahoma State will make the NCAA Tournament if…

Jawun Evans is as good as advertised. If he is, he and Forte would be one of the better offensive backcourt, not just in the conference, but in the country. If he’s not, they’re just a team that’s going to give up a lot of points, and rely on Forte shooting halfcourt shots on offense. But hey, I’ll admit that Travis Ford prove me wrong last year, so maybe he will again.

Next: 8. TCU Horned Frogs