Oklahoma State Eyes Key Opportunities as Big 12 Play Heats Up
It’s a pivotal stretch for Oklahoma State men’s basketball, and the Cowboys aren’t shying away from the challenge. With a pair of Quad 1 matchups on deck - hosting No. 16 BYU on Wednesday before heading west to face top-ranked Arizona - the week ahead could go a long way in shaping OSU’s postseason fate.
The Cowboys come into this stretch riding the momentum of a much-needed road win. Their 81-69 victory at Utah wasn’t just another tally in the win column - it marked the first Big 12 road win under head coach Steve Lutz. And it featured a breakout performance from a player the Cowboys have been waiting on to return to form.
Christian Coleman’s Return to Form
For those who followed Oklahoma State’s nonconference slate, Christian Coleman’s name should sound familiar - and for good reason. The UAB transfer had a stretch in December where he looked like the best player on the floor, averaging 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over four games.
But once Big 12 play hit, Coleman’s production dipped. Over the next seven games, he failed to crack double digits in scoring and never pulled down more than five boards.
That changed in Salt Lake City.
Coleman delivered a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Utes, notching his best numbers yet in conference play. It was a reminder of what he’s capable of - and what OSU needs from him down the stretch.
“Chris played up to his capabilities,” Lutz said. “We’ve always talked about Chris, and he’s a talented young man.
There was that time earlier around Oklahoma and Grand Canyon where he had been arguably our best player on the floor. Against Utah I thought that he was a little bit more of his self.”
Lutz acknowledged that Coleman had hit a rough patch - something every player goes through. But the key now is consistency.
“I was proud of him,” Lutz added. “He continues to work, and he’s continued to put in the time and the effort.
And now I just need his confidence to continue growing.”
If Coleman can sustain this level of play, especially against the caliber of opponents coming up, the Cowboys’ ceiling rises significantly.
Travel Troubles in the Snow
While the win in Utah was a step forward on the court, getting there was anything but smooth.
The Cowboys were originally scheduled to depart from Stillwater Regional Airport on Friday afternoon. But a delay turned into a logistical scramble.
A group text went out to the team - hold tight. Hours passed.
Finally, around 9 p.m., the team was told to head to the airport - only to find a bus waiting.
“Are we, like, bussing to Utah - 16 hours straight to the game?” forward Parsa Fallah joked.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the plan. The team bussed down to Oklahoma City and flew out from there, arriving in Salt Lake City in the early hours of game day.
The issue stemmed from the original plane being stuck in Chicago. By the time a replacement was secured, weather conditions in Stillwater had deteriorated. Without deicing equipment at the local airport, OSU had no choice but to reroute.
Lutz didn’t hold back when asked about the situation.
“I don’t understand it, and I don’t wanna complain,” he said. “And I know that our administration is tired of hearing me complain, but I just don’t understand when you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on private planes how they can’t be on time.”
He wasn’t just venting - Lutz pointed to a larger issue. “At a Power Four institution, you should absolutely be able to have deicing equipment and get past all that.”
It’s not the first time OSU has had travel issues this season, and Lutz made it clear that it’s something the program will need to address moving forward. In high-stakes conference play, every detail matters - including how you get to the game.
Resume Watch: Cowboys Have Work to Do
With February underway, the NCAA Tournament picture is starting to take shape - and Oklahoma State finds itself somewhere in the bubble conversation. The Cowboys are 15-6 overall and sit ninth in the 16-team Big 12 standings. That’s a solid base, but the finer details of the resume tell the real story.
The Cowboys are currently No. 68 in the NET rankings. They’re winless in Quad 1 games at 0-4, but have been strong in the middle tiers, going 6-2 in Quad 2 and a perfect 9-0 in Quads 3 and 4.
Translation: they’ve handled the games they’re supposed to win. Now they need to steal a few that they’re not.
That’s why this week looms so large.
Lutz said he doesn’t spend much time talking about the NCAA Tournament resume with his players - he’s focused on development and daily improvement. But make no mistake, he’s well aware of the stakes.
“As the head coach, you have to think about your resume,” Lutz said. “You have to look at your schedule, and who’s left on the schedule, and if you can win this one, and if you can win this one what does it do for you? Because at the end of the day, we’ve gotta figure out a way to get an at-large bid.”
That’s been the mission since day one for Lutz: compete for Big 12 titles and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. And with BYU coming to town Wednesday, there’s no better time to start stacking quality wins.
What’s Next
Wednesday night’s home tilt against BYU is a prime opportunity. Not only is it a chance to pick up that elusive first Quad 1 win - it’s a chance to prove that the Utah performance wasn’t a one-off, and that players like Christian Coleman are trending up at the right time.
Then comes the heavyweight matchup in Tucson against No. 1 Arizona. It’s the kind of game that can define a season - or at the very least, shift the narrative heading into the final month.
For now, the Cowboys are focused on what’s in front of them: staying healthy, staying locked in, and staying ready. Because in the Big 12, every game is a battle - and every win counts.