NCAA Basketball: Biggest power conference disappointments so far in 2021-22

Big 12: Oklahoma State

The Big 12 is the deepest conference in college basketball…again. My choices here were limited, but Oklahoma State’s three home losses and evident offensive struggles ended up getting the nod.

Context is important here as Oklahoma State’s appeal of their postseason ban was denied by the NCAA just a few days before the season started. The timing of that coupled with the reality of not being able to play in the 2022 postseason must have taken a toll on the mindset and energy in OSU’s locker room.

Regardless, an early home loss to Oakland as well as back-to-back losses to Wichita State and Xavier this past week have led to a disappointing start to the season for the Pokes.

Oklahoma State has been excellent defensively, ranking No. 11 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Offensively, they rank No. 115. Sophomore G Avery Anderson III (11.1 PPG) is the only player on the team currently averaging double-digits. The team does not have a single player that ranks in the top 50 of the Big 12 in offensive rating (min. 40% MP), per barttorvik.com.

The circumstances that Mike Boynton and Oklahoma State currently face are difficult, but the fact still remains that this was a team ranked No. 30 in the preseason AP poll and No. 5 in the Big 12 preseason poll. Through the first month of the season, they rank No. 62 in the NET which puts them seventh in the Big 12—not a drastic drop but definitely noticeable.