By Wendell Barnhouse
Big12Sports.com Correspondent
Story line
A roller coaster season that appeared headed for disaster (no NCAA Tournament) was turned around over the last two weeks. Oklahoma State reached the NCAAs, but was one and done. Now the Cowboys must replace starting guards Marcus Smart and Markel Brown (the team's top two scorers) plus two other key reserves who decided to transfer. Senior Le'Bryan Nash averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds last season and should be a top performer. Veterans Phil Forte and Michael Cobbins are joined by senior point guard Anthony Hickey, a transfer from LSU who is immediately eligible.
Coach: Travis Ford (7th season at Oklahoma State).
Last season: 21-13 overall, 8-10 in Big 12, 8th.
NCAA Tournament: 0-1.
Top players
Sr. F Le'Bryan Nash, Sr. F Michael Cobbins, Jr. G Phil Forte, Sr. G Anthony Hickey, Soph. F Leyton Hammonds, Sr. F Christien Sager.
Coach Ford says
"I think we have a chance and the ability to be a very good defensive basketball team – maybe the best I've ever coached. I can't underestimate how aggressive this team has been. They are an aggressive, competitive and I call it gritty group of guys. That needs to be our identity. That's who we are. We aren't going to beat anybody by being pretty. That's now who we are."
Notable
Oklahoma State must replace 43.9 percent of its scoring from last season. … The Cowboys averaged 80.2 points last season, a mark that ranked as the fifth-best in school history. Oklahoma State was the only Big 12 team with four players that averaged 13 points or more. … Anthony Hickey, who transferred from LSU, led the Southeastern Conference in assist/turnover ratio last season and was a three-year starter for the Tigers. … Oklahoma State forced a turnover on 18.7 percent of its opponents' possessions last season. The Cowboys led the Big 12 in steals. … In Conference play, junior guard Phil Forte is shooting 87.6 percent from the free throw line, a mark that ranks fifth on the Big 12 career list.
Season opener
Nov. 14 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Top nonconference games
Nov. 24 vs. Oregon State (MGM Grand Main Event)
Dec. 6 at South Carolina (Big 12-SEC Challenge)
Dec. 13 at Memphis
Dec. 21 vs. Maryland
Dec. 30 vs. Missouri (Sprint Center, Kansas City)
Conference opener
Jan. 3 vs. Kansas State