5 candidates to replace Brad Underwood at Oklahoma State

Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Brad Underwood has left for a supposed better job at Illinois, so here are five candidates to be the next men’s basketball coach at Oklahoma State.

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks made the NCAA Tournament for three straight seasons under coach Brad Underwood, including a first-round upset of No. 3 seed West Virginia in 2016. He parlayed that into a step up to the head job at Oklahoma State, and the Cowboys had a 20-win season and made the Big Dance as a No. 10 seed in Underwood’s first season.

After Oklahoma State’s 92-91 first-round loss to Michigan on Friday, Underwood returned to Stillwater with his team. On Saturday ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reported Underwood will now become the new head coach at Illinois, replacing the fired John Groce.

Oklahoma State is now added to a list of available jobs that includes Indiana, Cal, Washington and LSU. Here are five candidates to become the Cowboys’ next men’s basketball coach.

5. Scott Sutton

If Sutton sounds like a familiar surname, particularly in Oklahoma State basketball lore, that’s because Scott Sutton is the youngest son of legendary coach Eddie Sutton. The younger Sutton just completed his 18th season as head coach at Oral Roberts, with a 328-247 record, seven 20-plus win seasons and three NCAA Tournament berths.

The Golden Eagles are coming off the worst season of Sutton’s tenure, with an 8-22 record. While there’s no reason to believe he will be fired, or that he has a particular desire to leave, Sutton may have to listen if Oklahoma State comes calling.