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Coach: Travis Ford, 190-146 in 11 seasons, first season at Oklahoma State.
2007-08: 17-16 overall, 7-9 in Big 12, Tied for seventh.
Postseason: Lost in NIT first round.
Starters lost: 2
Key returnees: Byron Eaton, 5-11 Sr. G; James Anderson, 6-6 So. G/F; Terrel Harris, 6-5 Sr. G; Obi Muonelo, 6-5 Jr. G; Anthony Brown, 6-6 Sr. F.
Key newcomers: Keiton Page, 5-10 Fr. G; Teeng Akol, 6-11 Fr. F/C.

So far
The Cowboys are in the adjustment phase during Ford's first season in Stillwater. Oklahoma State is 6-3. Two of the losses came to ranked teams Gonzaga and Michigan State in the Old Spice Classic and the other was at Washington.

Plusses
Ford demands a fast-paced offensive style with pressure defense. Because of roster limitations, Oklahoma State will have to pick its spots when it comes to pressure defense. Eaton, who played strong down the stretch last season, is perfectly suited to thrive playing Ford's style. Anderson and Harris are also capable scorers.

Minuses
There is almost depth. The starting five will have to carry the load. There is almost no height, especially after 6-11 sophomore Ibrahima Thomas left the team in early December. Most of the time the Cowboys will be playing with four and sometimes five guards.

Overview
The Cowboys will be a season-long work in progress because they'll be adjusting to Ford's coaching style and because of the unbalanced (too many guards, not enough "bigs") roster. Ford's youth and enthusiasm is already making an impact with recruits.

What the coach says
"Their attitudes have been absolutely tremendous. Back in the summertime we asked our players to be dedicated and be in the best shape of their life in order to play our style of basketball. They bought into that. Once school started, we started preseason conditioning program, I made it harder than I've ever made it just to set an example of what we're going to do. And these guys never questioned. They never asked why. They did it."

WOMEN
Coach: Kurt Budke, 406-86 in 15 seasons, 53-41 in three seasons at Oklahoma State.
2007-08: 27-8 overall, 11-5 in Big 12, tie third.
Postseason: Lost NCAA Tournament regional semifinal.
Starters lost: 2
Key returnees: Andrea Riley, 5-5 Jr. G; Shaunte' Smith, 6-0 Sr. F; Taylor Hardeman, 5-10 Sr. G; Kristin Hernandez, 5-9 So. G; Megan Byford, 6-2 Jr. C.
Key newcomers: Tegan Cunningham, 6-1 Jr. F; Kelsey Hatcher, 5-10 Fr. G.

So far
The Cowgirls are 4-2 but have yet to hit their stride. Oklahoma State opened the season with a tough loss at Duke. The other defeat was a 14-point upset at Arkansas-Little Rock.

Plusses
Riley is an excellent outside shooter who can take over a game with her shooting and drives to the basket. Cunningham provides a scoring threat from the front court. She should be a season-long sidekick to Smith, who is the team's top rebounder.

Minuses
Riley needs to improve when it comes to making sure other players on the court get involved. She tends to take too many shots. Oklahoma State is not particularly dominant on the boards and is average at the free throw line.

Overview
Oklahoma State is a team that is capable of finishing anywhere in the top six spots in the Big 12 standings. A lot will depend on how much Riley matures as a floor leader and how well the Cowgirls replace the two starters missing from last year's team.

What the coach says
"When you establish a program now, at some point in time the young kids have to come up when it's their turn. A Kristin Hernandez has to step up, new girls like a Tegan Cunningham, Kelsey Hatcher have to step in and play right away. Megan Byford came on big at the end last year, had her best games by far when we got to NCAA tournament time. "That's where your program is either getting better or not. Can your young kids come up and play when it's their time."