Big 12 Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 16: The Iowa State Cyclones celebrate with Lindell Wigginton #5 after he is named to the Big 12 first team after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 78-66 to win the Big 12 Basketball Tournament Finals at Sprint Center on March 16, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Mike Boynton of the Oklahoma State Cowboys shouts instructions to his team during the second half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 27, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State 84-80 in overtime. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

1. Oklahoma State making moves on the trail

Head coach Mike Boynton has always been an underrated recruiter and quietly proved so again despite having a bad season overall. The Cowboys have a top-25 recruiting class, led by four-star guards Marcus Watson and Avery Anderson III. They’ll have a role next season but will likely provide backup to Thomas Dziagwa and Lindy Waters in the backcourt, along with breakout point guard candidate Isaac Likelele.

Oklahoma State had to dismiss a few players last season for misconduct and saw a couple more transfer out. But the five-player class is an upgrade over the departures, along with the addition of UMass grad transfer Jonathan Laurent.

This is a very important season for the Cowboys in terms of the direction of their program. They’ll have high expectations with their three returning scorers all becoming seniors being supported by Likekele and a top-25 class. They should be able to make a run for the top half of the Big 12 and contend for an NCAA Tournament bid.

It also should be noted that they’re in a great spot for class of 2020 five-star point guard Cade Cunningham. His brother was most recently hired by this coaching staff and experts are starting to pick the Cowboys as his eventual home. The team already has a commitment from top-100 guard Davonte Davis for next year’s class as well. Coach Boynton is making some noise on the recruiting trail but will have to turn it into wins on the court to keep it going.

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