Oklahoma State Navigates Frontcourt Injuries as Big 12 Play Looms
STILLWATER - If you didn’t already know how important Parsa Fallah is to Oklahoma State’s rotation, Bedlam made it loud and clear.
The Cowboys’ first loss of the season - an 85-76 defeat at the hands of rival Oklahoma - came on a night when Fallah was clearly not himself. Battling a back injury, the standout forward tried to give it a go but was limited to just 10 minutes in the first half before being shut down.
That absence was felt on both ends of the floor. Fallah had been on a tear heading into the rivalry matchup, posting back-to-back career-best performances - 24 points and seven rebounds against Sam Houston, followed by 25 and six against Grand Canyon. His offensive presence, rebounding instincts, and physicality in the paint had become a key part of the Cowboys’ early-season identity.
“He’s making progress,” head coach Steve Lutz said on Tuesday. “He did not practice Monday or Tuesday.
We’ll see about Wednesday and he’ll probably be a game-time decision for UMKC. But he’s battling through.”
That phrase - “battling through” - could apply to the Cowboys as a whole right now. Injuries have been a theme for this team early on, and Lutz has made it clear that he won’t rush anyone back before they’re ready. That cautious approach was already on display with Anthony Roy, who missed time at the start of the season with a groin injury.
With three non-conference games still on the docket - Kansas City, Cal State Fullerton, and Bethune-Cookman - before Big 12 play begins on January 3, the Cowboys have a bit of breathing room. And that could be crucial for Fallah’s recovery.
“It’s always most important that they’re healthy,” Lutz said. “There’s no sense in ever putting someone out on the floor that’s not healthy.
We won’t do that. We want Parsa to play because obviously he’s a big component to our success, but at the same time, we’ve gotta make sure he’s healthy.
Big 12 play starts on Jan. 3.
That’s what’s most important.”
Fallah isn’t the only frontcourt piece the Cowboys are hoping to get back soon. Freshman big man Ben Ahmed - a four-star recruit who’s yet to make his college debut - could be close to returning after undergoing preseason surgery to repair a foot injury.
“Hopefully we’ll get Ben back,” Lutz said. “He might play on Thursday.
He might play on Sunday. So, that would be good.
We’d have another big body in the post. And if not, we’ll go with whoever is there.”
Ahmed brings size and upside that’s hard to ignore. At 6-foot-10, 275 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he’s a physical presence tailor-made for Big 12 basketball. Ranked No. 113 nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the 2025 class, Ahmed played his high school ball at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, where he left as the program’s all-time leader in both points and rebounds.
And what he brings isn’t just size - it’s energy.
“Physicality, toughness - just every single play, Ben goes 100%,” said OSU director of player development Keiton Page. “Sometimes he goes 110% and it gets a little out of control, but one thing you can count on with Ben is he’s gonna give it 100% on every play on both ends of the floor. Just a high motor, winner, tough player.”
For a team that’s trying to find its rhythm heading into the heart of the season, getting Fallah and Ahmed back in the mix could be a game-changer. The Cowboys have shown flashes of promise, but depth in the frontcourt - especially with Big 12 battles on the horizon - is going to be critical.
The next few games offer a chance to regroup, get healthy, and build chemistry. And if Fallah and Ahmed can return close to full strength, Oklahoma State could be a much tougher out come January.