The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball program has had a roller coaster of a ride in recent years. After a string of successful seasons, the team has struggled to make it back to the NCAA tournament since the 2014-15 season. As the team looks to rebuild and restore the program to its former glory, let’s take a look at what happened to Oklahoma State basketball team.
The 2014-15 Season
The 2014-15 season was a good one for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Led by Marcus Smart, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Cowboys ended the regular season with a 24-8 record, good enough for a fourth-place finish in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16, where they were ultimately defeated by the eventual national champion, the Duke Blue Devils.
The Post-Smart Era
After Smart’s departure, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have struggled to find success. The team has not made it back to the NCAA tournament since 2014-15, and has had three consecutive losing seasons. The Cowboys have experienced significant turnover in head coaches, as the team has had three different coaches since the 2014-15 season. In addition, the team has seen a number of key players transfer or leave early for the NBA Draft.
The Loss of Talent
The most significant loss of talent for the Oklahoma State Cowboys has been in the form of transfers and early departures to the NBA Draft. Since the 2014-15 season, the Cowboys have lost a number of key players, including Jawun Evans, Phil Forte, and Le’Bryan Nash. These players were major contributors to the team’s success in the 2014-15 season, and the Cowboys have struggled to replace their production.
The Impact of Coaching Changes
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have had three different head coaches since the 2014-15 season. The first, Brad Underwood, left for the head coaching job at Illinois after just one season with the Cowboys. Underwood was replaced by Travis Ford, who coached the team for four seasons before being replaced by current head coach Mike Boynton. These coaching changes have had a significant impact on the team, as each new coach has implemented their own system and style of play.
The Rebuild
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are currently in the process of rebuilding the program. The team has a new head coach in Mike Boynton and is looking to develop young players such as Cameron McGriff and Lindy Waters III. Additionally, the team has added a number of transfers, including former Texas Tech standout Keenan Evans, in an attempt to bolster the roster.
Conclusion
The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team has had a difficult few years since the 2014-15 season. The team has lost a number of key players to transfer and the NBA draft and has had three different head coaches in the same time frame. Despite these struggles, the team is looking to rebuild and restore the program to its former glory. With a new head coach and a young core of players, the Cowboys are hopeful that they can turn things around and make a return to the NCAA tournament.