Oklahoma State University’s men’s basketball team will open its 2026‑27 non‑conference slate with a highly anticipated matchup against Saint Mary’s on Saturday, December 5, at Gallagher‑Iba Arena. The game will be the first meeting between the two programs in three decades, and the third overall, with the Cowboys holding a 2‑0 edge in the series.
Both previous meetings were played at the same venue and were decided by a single point, underscoring the competitiveness of the series. The upcoming contest will therefore be watched closely by fans who remember the narrow victories that defined the rivalry.
A Milestone Non‑Conference Matchup
This game will also mark the first season under new Saint Mary’s head coach Mickey McConnell, who returns to the program after stints as a player and assistant. McConnell succeeds Randy Bennett, who departed for Arizona State, and inherits a roster that has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the past five years, advancing to the Round of 32 on three occasions.
Oklahoma State, meanwhile, is coming off a 20‑win season and a second‑round NIT appearance. The Cowboys enter their third year under head coach Steve Lutz, who has bolstered the roster with the Big 12’s top transfer portal haul, according to On3, and a consensus top‑10 high school signing class.
The scheduling move reflects a broader trend of mid‑major programs seeking marquee early‑season tests to enhance résumé building ahead of conference play. For Saint Mary’s, the game offers a chance to test a revamped coaching staff against a Power Five opponent, while for Oklahoma State it provides an early opportunity to showcase the depth of its new additions.