Oklahoma State Basketball: Optimism for Cowboys in 2019-2020

MORGANTOWN, WV - FEBRUARY 10: Lindy Waters III #21 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts after hitting a three pointer against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on February 10, 2018 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 25: Isaac Likekele #13 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys is defended by Ja’vonte Smart #1 of the LSU Tigers during the game at HP Field House on November 25, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Top returning scorer – Cameron McGriff

As mentioned before, all five of the Oklahoma State starters are back this year from a team that really struggled to put up points. McGriff was one of three double-digit scorers last season and narrowly edged out teammate Lindy Waters to be the teams leading scorer. McGriff will need to be a big contributor on the offensive end this season and help Oklahoma State as a team put up more points. Oklahoma State was in the bottom 70 in the country for points scored per game, something that was likely a focus this offseason.

Player most likely to breakout – Isaac Likekele

Likekele started 29 games last year as a freshman and was a member of the U-19 USA Men’s national team that played over the summer in Greece. A strong freshman campaign and some international experience this summer have Likekele primed to have a breakout season for the Cowboys. Likekele had a career-high 23 points at Baylor and at West Virginia but had a quite a few games where he seemed to disappear. Likekele should see increases across the board in all of his stats and be a big contributor on both ends of the floor.

A freshman to get excited for – Marcus Watson

There were actually quite a few freshmen to choose from but it’s hard to see all of them getting a lot of minutes with so many returners. Marcus Watson is the highest-rated recruit in the 2019 class for Oklahoma State and he fills a position on the floor where there’s not a lot of depth. Caleb Anderson III is another freshman that could have a big impact for the Cowboys coming off the bench for senior Lindy Waters.

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