Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: West Virginia falls, Iowa State surprises to start out season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Devon Dotson #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 08: Head coach Mike Boynton of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts from the bench during the Big 12 Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game against the Kansas Jayhawks at the Sprint Center on March 8, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-1)

Preseason rank: 10

The most shocking loss this season when it comes to the circumstances has to go to Oklahoma State, who was up over 20 points midway through the second half against Charlotte, whose lost to James Madison and Chattanooga and is projected to finish near the bottom of Conference USA.

To the Cowboys credit, Michael Weathers was absent, serving a suspension for offseason misconduct. He’s since returned, scoring a game-high 16 points off the bench in the 70-58 win over College of Charleston.

In Weather’s absence, Oklahoma State was led by the trio of Cameron McGriff, Thomas Dziagwa and Lindy Waters. The three juniors have each scorer over 14.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg and have supplied the vast majority of the team’s offense. Outside of them and now Weathers, there’s no real depth for the Cowboys. There’s a strong possibility that at least four starters will play at least 30 mpg, until any of the freshmen reserves can earn more playing time.

While the play of McGriff and Dziagwa in extended minutes gives hope that the Cowboys won’t finish dead last in the Big 12, that drought they suffered against Charlotte of all teams still lingers. To get out of the Big 12 basement Oklahoma State will have to get a win of note to change their projected perception.

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