NCAA Tournament 2017: 6 overrated/underrated teams

Underrated: Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State is significantly underseeded by KenPom efficiency; their 13-spot difference between adjusted margin and S-curve spot ranks as the 3rd biggest in the country. It is an arguably fair seed based strictly on wins and losses. After starting the Big 12 conference season at 0-6 — and dropping early season games against North Carolina and Maryland — the Cowboys were in a tough spot. Though they battled back to get to 9-7, they finished the conference season at 9-9 and beat only West Virginia — from the conference’s top 4 teams — on their way back.

No matter, I’m a sucker for efficiency darlings with great offenses. And man, does Oklahoma State qualify there. Their torrid run through the 2nd half of the Big 12 slate left them as the best offense in the country, by a pretty significant margin over 2nd place Villanova. Led by point guard Jawun Evans, the Cowboys relentlessly attack you from both inside and outside the arc.

The team’s got six rotation players hitting better than 40 percent from three, and the team as a whole is good enough from deep for 8th best in the country. And, though Oklahoma State plays centers 6-foot-9 or shorter and qualifies as the 234th tallest team in the country, they destroy teams on the offensive glass. Their 38.0 offensive rebounding margin comes in behind only North Carolina, Baylor, and Kent State among tournament teams. The ability to maximize and extend possessions in March can be key in moving forward.

Oklahoma State meets fellow offensive juggernaut Michigan in the 7-10 matchup in the Midwest, with a Round of 32 showdown with likely opponent Louisville in the offing. If Oklahoma State can out-offense the Wolverines, they’ll be an incredibly intriguing matchup for the 2nd-seeded Cardinals.