NCAA Basketball: 7 biggest takeaways on opening day of 2023-24 season

4. Trouble for Mike Boynton?

Things have been changing in recent years in the Big 12. Baylor, Texas Tech, and newcomer Houston have all been nationally relevant, and a slew of newcomers joined the league this year and next season, plugging the holes left by Oklahoma and Texas. The conference in its current state is as strong as its ever been, but not every program is pulling the same amount of weight. Is there significant concern at Oklahoma State?

Mike Boynton’s squad certainly increased those concerns on opening night, falling behind by double digits in the first half at home against Abilene Christian in a game they’d lose 64-59. Not only were the Cowboys  embarrassed at home on opening night, but they made just 21% of their 3-pointers and a paltry 40% from the charity stripe. Sure Bryce Thompson had 19 points, but very little came from this lineup today.

This is already year seven for Boynton and his only trip to the Big Dance came back in 2021 when he had future top pick Cade Cunningham running the show. While that may have been a testament to him as a recruiter, he’s not bringing in the talent to regularly compete in the Big 12, even with three 20-win seasons since 2017. Abilene Christian isn’t a bad team by any stretch, but dropping this game and playing such an abysmal offensive game is a really tough pill to swallow.