Big 12 Basketball: 2019-20 power rankings heading into conference play

The out of conference play of Oklahoma State has certainly been a positive for the Big 12, as the Cowboys look like a team set to compete for an NCAA tournament bid. OSU has played a very tough schedule, and though their record sits at 9-3, they have some quality wins to show off. Wins at home to Yale and on the road to Houston and Syracuse all point to how good this OSU team can be. Their best performance, however, was an absolute demolition of Ole Miss in a nationally televised game. The Cowboys shut down Ole Miss’s otherwise strong offense, leading to a 78-37 route.

Unfortunately, Oklahoma State hasn’t looked this good every time they’ve played. Losses to Wichita State and Minnesota aren’t embarrassing, but neither was particularly close. As good as the OSU defense looked against Ole Miss, they looked nearly as bad against Minnesota. Still, the Cowboys have defended well overall. They are holding opponents to just 26.9% shooting from 3-point range on the season. The ability to defend the perimeter will be vital in the Big 12 with the number of talented guards in the league.

All three of the Cowboys losses came without sophomore guard Isaac Likekele who has been their best player this season. Likekele is a high motor player who ranks in the Top 15 nationally in steal rate. He is a good distributor and his athleticism allows him to finish powerfully at the rim. His absence was certainly a factor in the losses, and now that he is back on the roster, OSU could be very dangerous in the Big 12. Senior guard Lindy Waters isn’t the flashy name like many other guards in the conference, but his experience could help steady a Cowboys team that has struggled with consistency.

I believe Oklahoma State will make some noise in conference play. Big man Yor Anei is another important piece that will allow OSU to defend some of the conference’s talented big men. The biggest need for the Cowboys is more consistent play for their role players. Bench guards Chris Harris and Avery Anderson have struggled to shoot the ball, and if either can step up their performance, OSU has the pieces they need to make a run. This is a team to watch closely as conference play begins.