Queens University of Charlotte has wasted little time becoming one of the most entertaining teams in college basketball. The Royals opened the 2026–27 season with consecutive victories, scored 199 points across those two games and delivered a remarkable comeback against Loyola Marymount. Now comes an opportunity that could provide a much clearer indication of how dangerous Grant Leonard's program might become.
Queens visits Oklahoma State on Friday, facing a Big 12 opponent that opened its season with a convincing victory over Incarnate Word. The game represents another significant challenge for a Royals program that made its first NCAA Tournament appearance last March and entered the new season as the ASUN Conference favorite.
For Queens, the opportunity extends beyond simply adding another victory to its record. A competitive performance against Oklahoma State would provide additional evidence that the Royals have the offensive talent to challenge opponents from significantly larger conferences.
And considering what Queens has accomplished during the opening week, dismissing the Royals would be a mistake.
Two victories and 199 points have created some serious momentum
Queens opened its season Monday with a 103–98 victory over Winthrop, demonstrating the offensive firepower that helped make the Royals one of the ASUN's most intriguing teams.
Jordan Watford delivered 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Nasir Mann added 19 points. The Royals shot efficiently, attacked the basket and received important contributions from several newcomers.
Wednesday's game against Loyola Marymount provided an entirely different challenge.
Queens traveled across the country, fell behind by 12 points during the second half and appeared headed toward its first defeat. Instead, the Royals delivered a remarkable comeback, eventually winning 96–95 on Watford's free throw with two seconds remaining.
Mann scored a career-high 28 points while making 11 of his 13 field-goal attempts, including five three-pointers. Watford added 20 points, giving Queens another impressive performance from its experienced backcourt.
Through two games, Mann is averaging 23.5 points while shooting 70.8% from the field. Watford is contributing 23 points and five assists per game.
That production gives Leonard two reliable offensive options heading into Friday's game.
Oklahoma State has a completely different kind of challenge waiting
The Cowboys opened their season Monday with a 91–60 victory over Incarnate Word, demonstrating the depth of a significantly rebuilt roster.
Steve Lutz welcomed a highly regarded transfer class and a nationally respected freshman group during the offseason. Ten newcomers accounted for 81 of Oklahoma State's 91 points in the opener, including 14 from North Carolina transfer Luka Bogavac.
The Cowboys also received an impressive debut from Jacob Walker, who recorded eight assists and four steals. Oklahoma State forced 21 turnovers and established a 54–17 halftime advantage before cruising to victory.
Those numbers should concern Queens.
The Royals have been outstanding offensively, but their defense has allowed 96.5 points per game through the opening two contests. Opponents are shooting 51.5% from the field and have made 29 three-pointers.
Oklahoma State has enough offensive talent to exploit those weaknesses, particularly if the Cowboys can force turnovers and generate transition opportunities.
Queens will need to defend more effectively than it did against Winthrop and Loyola Marymount.
This could be the beginning of a remarkable November
Friday's game is only the beginning of an unusually demanding stretch for Queens.
The Royals visit BYU on Tuesday before additional road games against LSU and Houston later in November. That schedule provides multiple opportunities to compete against nationally respected opponents, but it also creates a significant challenge for a program still relatively new to Division I.
Queens completed its transition to full Division I postseason eligibility last season and immediately earned an NCAA Tournament appearance. The Royals finished 21–14, won the ASUN Tournament and faced Purdue in the opening round of March Madness.
Now Leonard has an opportunity to build on that achievement.
Queens returns three preseason All-ASUN selections in Mann, Watford and Avantae Parker, providing the experience necessary to compete for another conference championship.
The Royals have already demonstrated that they can score against different opponents and respond when games become uncomfortable. Friday will test whether they can maintain that confidence against a Big 12 team with greater depth and athleticism.
A victory would immediately become one of the most impressive results of the opening week.
Even a competitive performance could strengthen Queens' reputation as a mid-major worth following throughout the season.
The Royals have already provided plenty of entertainment. Their next challenge is proving that their remarkable start can translate against the kind of competition they hope to face again in March.
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