Oklahoma State’s basketball program is entering its third year under a renewed sense of purpose, and the early signals suggest the Cowboys could finally break through the conference’s crowded ceiling.
CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein has already placed the team at No. 7 in his Big 12 preseason power rankings, a testament to the belief that the roster has been reshaped into a more balanced and efficient unit.
Only four players from last season’s squad return, but the incoming recruiting class, headlined by McDonald's All-American forward Latrell Allmond, arrives with high expectations, while the transfer portal has delivered veteran depth.
A Deep and Versatile Roster
The transfer class features former UCF star Jordan Burks and Georgetown alumnus Julius Halaifonua, and it also adds three sharpshooting guards capable of stretching defenses, giving the coaching staff more flexibility than ever before.
If sophomore guard Kashie Natt can lock in his eligibility, he is slated to start at off-guard, while big man Parsa Fallah works his way back from a torn ACL, adding another layer of depth.
The broader context is hard to ignore: the Big 12 has sent at least seven teams to the NCAA Tournament in recent years, and last season eight squads earned bids, meaning the competition for those spots is fierce.
Given the combination of talent, experience and depth, the Cowboys’ No. 7 ranking is more than a preseason curiosity; it reflects a realistic chance of contending for a March Madness berth.