Big 12 Basketball: Kansas to earn 13th straight conference title?

By Doug Winkey | Oct 5, 2016

Mar 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte' Graham (4) celebrates with teammates after a play against the Villanova Wildcats during the second half of the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 19, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Phil Forte III during practice before the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys

2015-2016 record: 12-20 (3-15 Big 12)

Key players gone: SG Jeff Newberry, SF Chris Oliver, PG Tyree Griffin, SF Joe Burton, C Anthony Allen

Key returnees: SG Phil Forte III, PG Jawun Evans, SF Leyton Hammonds, SF Jeff Carroll, SF Tavarius Shine, PF Mitchell Solomon

Newcomers: PG Brandon Averette (5’10”, 175), PG Thomas Dziagwa (6’4″, 180), PG Tyler Underwood (6’1″, 160, transfer from Stephen F. Austin), SG Lindy Waters (6’5″, 200), PF Cameron McGriff (6’6″, 210), C Lucas N’Guessan (7’0″, 215)

Oklahoma State’s hopes this year rest on Phil Forte’s recovery from an elbow injury that shuttered his season after just three games. The fifth-year senior might be the best pure shooter in the nation. He leads a squad with gritty potential eager to reclaim glory for Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Oklahoma State rotation has good talent in the back court with both Forte and star sophomore Jawun Evans coming off injuries. The biggest issue for this team will come in the post.

Only two returnees, Leyton Hammonds and Mitchell Solomon, stand taller than 6’7″. Star freshman Cameron McGriff, from Grand Prairie, TX, will help quite a bit, but OSU will be undersized against almost every Big 12 opponent. New coach Brad Underwood from Stephen F. Austin will have to mold this scrappy group within his system very quickly in order to escape the conference’s basement.

Forte, Evans and McGriff are all in line for various All-Big 12 awards this season, but their supporting cast has a long way to go. The back court will carry this team, but concerns about their transitioning front court in a new system land them last place in this preview.

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