Oklahoma State’s men got the cold shoulder from Big 12 coaches on Thursday.
The conference’s preseason poll dropped the Cowboys all the way to 11th, with Oklahoma State collecting 98 points and landing outside the league’s top eight. They also came away without a single player on the preseason all-Big 12 teams.
That’s a stark contrast from the Cowgirls, who were picked to win the conference and had both the preseason player of the year and newcomer of the year on their side.
At the top of the league race, Arizona earned the No. 1 spot after grabbing 12 of the 16 first-place votes. Houston was right behind with the other four votes, and the two teams were separated by just six points.
For Steve Lutz, there has been some forward movement in Stillwater, even if the bigger breakthrough hasn’t arrived yet. Oklahoma State is entering his third year still chasing a return to the NCAA Tournament, with its last appearance coming in 2021. Across two seasons, the Cowboys are 37-33 under Lutz, and their win total has climbed by three victories from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
The results in the league have also been modest. Oklahoma State has finished no better than tied for 12th in either season, though it did reach the NIT both times. Last season, the Cowboys won 20 games.
There’s reason to think the roster has more punch this time around. Lutz signed one of the nation’s top freshman groups, highlighted by three four-star recruits, and some analysts expect that class to contribute right away.
Oklahoma State also added several transfers and brought back key pieces from last season, including guard Kanye Clary and forward Parsa Fallah. Fallah’s status comes with a waiver obtained in a court case as he works toward a fifth season of eligibility.
Big 12 media days are set for Tuesday and Wednesday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, and Oklahoma State along with Oklahoma State's women are expected to speak Wednesday. Lutz will be joined by three players: forward Jordan Burks, Clary and Fallah.
The league also announced its preseason honors, with Motiejus Krivas of Arizona named Preseason Player of the Year. Paulius Murauskas of Arizona State was selected as Preseason Newcomer of the Year, and Kansas’ Tyran Stokes earned Preseason Freshman of the Year.
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