NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 matchups for 2022 Big 12 vs SEC Challenge

6. Oklahoma State at Florida

Two programs in polar opposite directions

The spectacular 2019 class that Michael White brought in hasn’t quite met the expectation. Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis are off, and Omar Payne is headed to the Big 10 to play for Illinois.

Colin Castleton’s status is up in the air but is expected to return to Florida. He finished his junior season on a high note and is expected to be drafted in 2022.

White dipped into the Mid-Major market to find two high-volume shooters in Philandrous Fleming and Brandon McKissic. Both averaged over 17 points per game last year, and have a chance to play immediately.

On the other end, Oklahoma State has been soaring, led by the great 2020 class they compiled. Even with Cade Cunningham heading to the NBA, the roster is functional and good for the long run.

Isaac Likekele will play his sixth season in Stillwater, while freshman Matthew Alexander Moncrieffe and Rondel Walker return. Kalib Boone showed flashes late and the depth should be better next season.

It was one of the few cases, where Kansas had an embarrassment of riches when it comes to star power talent from the high school ranks. That’s when former five-star Bryce Thompson announced his transfer from Kansas. Oklahoma State swooped him up and is expected to play in what is now a talented backcourt.

Florida fixed some of their holes with scoring, but still lack a presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.

The Gators were solid at defending the three-point line a year ago, but were merely average in every other category, including giving up offensive rebounds at a high rate. The status of Keyontae Johnson and how much he could play next year could impact the game and what is expected moving forward.

Overall, this is one of the better games on the slate and shows which programs are moving in which directions.