INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2000-01 record: 23-9; 10-6 in Big 12 (Tied/3rd) Postseason: Lost to Kent State 69-61 in first round of NCAA South Region. RETURNING LEADERS Points: V. Williams 13.0 Rebs: McFarlin 7.6 Assists: V. Williams 4.0 FG: McFarlin 61.4% 3pt: Gadson 36.1% FT: V. Williams 74.6% 01-02 Stats: Oklahoma State | Big 12 KEY LOSSES Maurice Baker | 12.9 ppg Fredrik Jonzen | 12.3 ppg PROJECTED STARTERS G | Victor Williams | Senior G | Chy. Gadson | Senior F | Melvin Sanders | Senior F | Ivan McFarlin | Junior F | Jason Miller | Junior Player to Watch Victor Williams Senior Guard Took better care of ball last year, still needs to improve shot. DATE TO REMEMBER Jan. 13 The game is just the second conference game of the season for the Cowboys, but it might be the biggest. It's when arch rival Oklahoma comes to Stillwater for the first of two Bedlam games. In addition to being a rivalry game, it's also a chance for an key upset.

 

OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Are the Cowboys going to be able to actually score enough points to be competive? Guard Maurice Baker, the leading scorer on last season's 23-9 team, has graduated. So too has big man Fredrik Jonzen. It isn't as if Oklahoma State doesn't have anybody who can score -- point guard Victor Williams averaged 13.1 points per game last season and forward Ivan McFarlin averaged 10.8 points -- but beyond that, the Cowboys don't have a lot of options and it didn't help that wing Terrence Crawford suffered an Achilles tendon injury. Even Cowboys coach Eddie Sutton acknowledged that his team's searching for ways to put points on the scoreboard and he'd be surprised if any of his players average 15 points per game. Because of that, defense will be the rage in Stillwater this year. The Cowboys are certainly going to use some pressure to take advantage of their athletic ability. In addition, this Oklahoma State team is filled with players who give good effort. That intensity and that defense is going to make the Cowboys difficult to play. Combine that with Gallagher-Iba Arena being one of the most difficult places for a road team to win and the fact that Sutton has won 702 games and Oklahoma State will win games. Even though finding points could be a challenge.

TOUGH ENOUGH..............................
While Ivan McFarlin played his first season of college basketball a year ago after sitting out in 2000-01 as a partial qualifier, he quickly became the Cowboys tough guy. He gave great effort inside and did a lot of the dirty work. When Oklahoma State struggled, he was the guy who challenged his teammates to be better. He was one of the Cowboys better defenders. This season he's going to have to do more, but certainly appears ready for that job. He worked hard to improve his offense to go along with his defense and rebounding.

TOUGH ENOUGH?..............................
While the Cowboys are going to emphasize defense, does Oklahoma State have enough size to slow bigger lineups. While neither Jonzen nor Antoine Broxsie were Shaq-like, both were 6-10. This Oklahoma State team has just one returning player taller than 6-7. Sutton has been pleased with his team's effort and that is a lot of rebounding, but will the Cowboys be able to successfully keep opponents from controlling the offensive glass?

BOTTOM LINE..............................
The Cowboys need to be able to score points to be a contender for the Big 12's upper division. Despite one of the top coaches in the Big 12, Oklahoma State probably doesn't have enough talent to contend for the league title. However, an NCAA Tournament appearance isn't out of the question.