Oklahoma State Men's Basketball 2018 NIT Tournament Capsule

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Big 12 (19-14, 8-10)

 
In the Big 12, even going 8-10 is not a bad season. Oklahoma State only won 19 games, but with their tough schedule, the Cowboys were still on the bubble throughout March. The big wins over Oklahoma, Kansas, West Virginia and Texas Tech certainly helped boost their resume.
 
Big Wins: 2/3 at Kansas (84-79), 2/10 at West Virginia (88-85), 2/21 Texas Tech (79-71)
Bad Losses: 2/6 Baylor (56-67), 2/14 Kansas State (72-82), 2/24 at Texas (64-65)
Coach: Mike Boynton
 
Why They Can Surprise:
This can be a dynamic offense when OSU is firing on all cylinders. Wing Jeffrey Carroll is the team’s top scorer. While he is not the most consistent three-point shooter, Carroll did connect on a team high 60 three-pointers. Coach Mike Boynton has a roster full of potential shooters. Kendall Smith, Tavarius Shine, Lindy Waters and Thomas Dziagwa all have the capability of putting up big numbers in the scoring department with their ability to hit three-pointers. If the Cowboys have a few guys hitting their shots, they will score in bunches.
 
Why They Can Disappoint:
Like most teams in the high scoring Big 12, Oklahoma State does not have good numbers defensively. However, this team does have a couple shot blocking threats in Mitchell Solomon and Yankuba Sima. Those two can make it difficult for the opposition to easily score in the paint. That often leads to the opposition to shoot long balls against Oklahoma State and the opposition often has great success in that department. Oklahoma State ranks 300th in three-point field-goal percentage defense at 37.1 percent. Against a team with a handful of hot shooters, the Cowboys could be in trouble.
 
Probable Starters:
Lindy Waters III, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 1.9 apg, 3.6 rpg
Kendall Smith, Senior, Guard, 12.9 ppg, 2.9 apg
Jeffrey Carroll, Senior, Guard/Forward, 15.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Cameron McGriff, Sophomore, Forward, 8.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Mitchell Solomon, Senior, Forward, 8.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg
 
Key Role Players:
Thomas Dziagwa, Sophomore, Guard, 5.2 ppg
Brandon Averette, Sophomore, Guard, 6.3 ppg, 2.9 apg
Tavarious Shine, Junior, Guard/Forward, 9.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Yankuba Sima, Junior, Forward/Center, 3.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg
 
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.9 (86th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.2 (196, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.0 (214, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 43.6 (164, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.2 (118, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.7 (194, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.1 (35, 2)
Rebound Margin: 1.1 (159, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.4 (118, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (195, 8)
 
Recent Postseason Appearances:
 
2017    NCAA Round of 64 loss to Michigan
2015    NCAA Round of 64 loss to Oregon
2014    NCAA Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga
2013    NCAA Round of 64 loss to Oregon
2011    NIT     First Round win over Harvard
2011    NIT     Second Round loss to Washington State
2010    NCAA Round of 64 loss to Georgia Tech
2009    NCAA Round of 64 win over Tennessee
2009    NCAA Round of 32 loss to Pittsburgh
2008    NIT     First Round loss to Southern Illinois
2007    NIT     First Round loss to Marist
 
*all team stats through 3/4