Big 12 basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2020-2021 NCAA basketball season

Big 12 basketball sleeper team: Oklahoma State Cowboys

It’s quite unfortunate that the Oklahoma State Cowboys were handed down a one-year postseason ban by the NCAA because they could be a dangerous team not only in the Pac-12 but on a national scale once they got into the tournament. Mike Boynton’s team comes into the year with the needle almost breaking the meter with how up it’s pointing.

The Pokes finished strong last season after some down years in Stillwater as they won eight of their last 11 games. Furthermore, they return an electric guard to the fold in Isaac Likekele while having some promising young bodies in the frontcourt that potentially could make an impact. But really, it’s an incoming freshman that makes the biggest difference.

Oklahoma State is welcoming Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall recruit in this year’s class, to the mix and his impact should be felt in a tremendous way. Cunningham will pair with Likekele in the backcourt to comprise a duo that can overwhelm virtually any team in the country with their versatility and playmaking.

If the frontcourt comes around in relation to the guard duo, the Cowboys have a shot to legitimately push teams like Kansas and Baylor. And again, it’s a shame that we won’t get to see them in March Madness but challenging for the Big 12 title would be a nice consolation prize.