Arizona Dominates as Cowboys Struggle to Find Their Footing in Tucson
Saturday afternoon in Tucson served as a stark reminder for Oklahoma State: there's still a significant gap between where they are and where they want to be. Facing off against the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats, the Cowboys were overwhelmed from the opening tip, falling 84-47 in a game that was never really in question.
Let’s break down what happened and what it means moving forward.
1. Arizona’s Defense Was Relentless
There are bad shooting nights, and then there’s what Oklahoma State experienced in McKale Center. The Cowboys shot just 25% from the field (15-for-61), and only 21% from beyond the arc (6-for-28). Even free throws - the one place you expect to find some relief - were a struggle, as OSU hit just 11-of-23.
Arizona’s defense deserves a ton of credit. They didn’t just contest shots - they disrupted OSU’s entire offensive rhythm.
What the Cowboys typically do well - pushing the pace, attacking the paint - was taken off the table early. The Wildcats closed off driving lanes, rotated quickly, and consistently forced OSU into late-shot-clock heaves.
The result? The Cowboys found themselves leaning heavily on the three-ball, chucking up 28 attempts - their fourth-highest total this season. That’s not where OSU thrives, and the numbers back it up: they’re now 0-3 against high-major opponents when they attempt more than 26 threes.
And here’s a stat that really tells the story - Arizona grabbed more rebounds than OSU scored points. That’s not just dominance; that’s defensive suffocation.
2. Arizona’s Depth Is a Problem - for Everyone Else
When your sixth man nearly posts a double-double in the first half, you know you’re dealing with a different kind of roster. Tobe Awaka came off the bench and racked up eight points and 10 rebounds in just 11 first-half minutes. He finished with 12 boards in 20 minutes and was a +29 during his time on the floor.
Awaka hasn’t started a game this season, but he’s producing like a frontline star - averaging 10 points and nearly 10 boards per game while shooting 59% from the field. That’s the kind of luxury Arizona has right now.
On many teams, Awaka would be the go-to guy. For the Wildcats, he’s a spark off the bench.
That kind of depth doesn’t just win games - it wears opponents down. OSU felt that firsthand.
3. OSU’s Bench Came Up Empty
Depth has been a bright spot for the Cowboys at times this season, but on Saturday, it was nowhere to be found. OSU didn’t get a single bench point until nearly eight minutes into the second half, when freshman Ryan Crotty knocked down a corner three. The next bench bucket didn’t come until Isaiah Coleman hit a jumper with under four minutes to play.
Garbage-time production helped pad the final numbers a bit, but make no mistake - this was a quiet night for the reserves. And it wasn’t just about scoring. The bench struggled to impact the game in any meaningful way, whether through defense, ball movement, or energy plays.
Against a team like Arizona, you need contributions from all over the roster. OSU didn’t get that.
4. Chris Coleman Keeps Battling
In a game where positives were hard to find, Chris Coleman’s effort stood out. The sophomore forward continues to string together a stretch of high-energy performances, and Saturday was no different.
Coleman finished with six points, five rebounds, and two blocks - most of which came in the first half. He was active on the glass, challenged shots, and brought a level of intensity that the Cowboys desperately needed.
In his 13 first-half minutes, OSU was only outscored by one point. The other four starters averaged a -11.8 in that same span.
That’s not a fluke. Coleman has now grabbed at least five boards in four Big 12 games, including three straight. Over his last three outings, he’s averaging 10 points and seven rebounds - a major leap from his early conference numbers.
If OSU is going to turn things around, Coleman’s continued development could be a big part of it.
5. Looking Ahead: Time to Reset and Regroup
There’s no sugarcoating a 37-point loss, but the Cowboys don’t have time to dwell. February is here, and the margin for error is shrinking fast.
Next up is a road matchup with Arizona State on Tuesday - a team hovering just above .500. It’s a winnable game, and a chance for OSU to bounce back quickly. After that, they get a rematch with TCU, a team they let slip away in Fort Worth last month.
Those two games are crucial - not just for the standings, but for the Cowboys’ confidence. With eight regular season games left, OSU still has time to build a résumé. Stealing another Quad 1 win or two would go a long way, but first, they have to take care of business in the games they’re supposed to win.
Arizona was a buzzsaw - no shame in getting beat by the best. But how OSU responds from here will say a lot about the group’s resilience and postseason potential.