Oklahoma State basketball projected starting lineup if Cade Cunningham stays

What could Oklahoma State’s lineup look like if Cade Cunningham stays?

There is a bit of mystery surrounding the Oklahoma State basketball program right now. After the school was handed a one-year postseason ban by the NCAA, it raised questions about the future of top recruit Cade Cunningham.

It was a bit of a surprise when Cunningham committed to Oklahoma State when the likes of Kentucky and North Carolina were pursuing him. There has been speculation that Cunningham could leave the program now that he can’t play in the NCAA Tournament, but Cunningham has been notably mum on his plans so far.

The Cowboys did get a boost when Isaac Likekele, the team’s starting point guard, opted to stay with the program instead of transfer. Oklahoma State has seen forward Yor Anei transfer, but as of right now they have the pieces on hand to put together a compelling starting lineup.

Likekele is joined as a returning player by the Boone twins, Kalib and Keylan, who could form a nice forward pair for the Cowboys up front. The key to the whole lineup would be if Cunningham and fellow incoming freshman Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe opt to stay in Stillwater as opposed to transferring elsewhere or going pro.

The pair are part of a five-man recruiting class that is one of the best in the country. Even if Cunningham plays a year for Oklahoma State and goes pro the remaining players could form the nucleus of an NCAA Tournament threat in 2021.

This group would also be a major problem for Big 12 opponents in 2020 since it is loaded with talent and would still be playing regular-season games. A young team like this could wreak some havoc since they have nothing to lose while schools fighting for their bubble lives would have everything on the line.

It will likely be a bit before Cunningham and the rest of the incoming freshmen make their decisions, but there is a chance that Oklahoma State could still field a scary basketball team. That would be a lot of fun for college basketball fans to see a true spoiler in the mix throughout the season.

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