No. 22: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Oklahoma State Cowboys

2008-2009 Record:

Key Losses: Byron Eaton (14.3 ppg, 5.7 apg), Terrell Harris (13.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

Key Returners: James Anderson (18.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Obi Muonelo (12.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Marshall Moses (7.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg)

Newcomers: Jarred Shaw, Reger Dowell, Torin Walker, Ray Penn, Fred Gulley, Roger Franklin, Matt Pilgrim

James Anderson is one of the best scorer's in the country.
(photo credit: NBC Sports)

Oklahoma State lost a lot more than many of the teams in the top 25 during the off-season. Gone is starting point guard and leader Byron Eaton. Gone is wing Terrell Harris. But there are two reasons to believe that Oklahoma State will be able to compete in the loaded Big XII: the Cowboys bring in a bunch of talented freshmen, and James Anderson.

Let's start with Anderson, a junior. In a league full of big time scorers and future first round picks, Anderson may be the most dangerous. Anderson's game is based on his ability to shoot - he hit 41% from deep even though he took almost six per game. He has excellent size for a wing (6'6", 210 lb), which saved the Pokes at times last season as they were devoid of size on the interior. Already an excellent defender that will hit the glass hard, especially on the offensive end, for Anderson to become more than just an elite shooter at this level, he is going to need to improve his ability to get to the rim. Right now, he basically relies on his superior size, quickness, and leaping ability to get by his defender and finish inside, but if he can improve his ability to change direction with the bounce, lead the break, and create off the dribble, Anderson could average 20 plus this year.

Joining Anderson on the perimeter is senior Obi Muonelo. Muonelo, like Anderson, was forced to play a lot of minutes out of position last year. There were time when Muonelo and Anderson were the two biggest players on the floor for Travis Ford's team. Muonelo is excellent athlete, checking in at a muscular 6'5", 220 lb, which allowed him to compete inside (his 7.2 rpg was fourth in the league). On the offensive end, Muonelo is a shooter, taking almost 60% of his shots from deep. He doesn't get to the rim much, but I would expect Muonelo to have an expanded role on the offensive end this season as he slides over to the wing spot vacated by Harris.

While OK State may have the best wing duo in the Big XII, the question mark is going to be at the point, where Eaton's graduation left a huge hole. Ford brought in three kids who will compete for the starting job. Raymond Penn is probably the early leader to fill that hole. Penn is a lightening quick, 5'9" point guard out of Texas that loves to get out and run the floor, which will fit perfectly with the uptempo style Ford likes to play. Penn is an excellent penetrator, getting into the paint almost at will, especially when leading the break. He was able to finish in the lane at the high school level, but playing against bigger competition in the Big XII he will have to rely on his ability to draw defenders and kick out to the shooters the Pokes will have outside. Fellow freshmen Fred Gulley and Reger Dowell should also see time at the lead guard spot.

OK State will have some depth in their back court. 5'9" Keiton Page was one of the most prolific high school scorers ever, boasting a career average of 33.4 ppg (44.4 ppg as a senior). He is a lights out shooter with range out to about 27 feet. The only problem is his size - at 5'9", he is not the best ball handler and sometimes struggles to get his shot off against bigger defenders. Nick Sidorakis is a bigger guard off the bench, but he struggled to find his range last season, which is a problem for a kid that took 29 of his 33 shot from deep. Also expect freshman Roger Franklin to see some minutes. Franklin will bring a change of pace to the Cowboys perimeter as he is much less of a jump shooter. Franklin is a strong, 6'4" wing that likes to go to the rim. He can rebound and finish in transition.

The big question mark is going to be up front. The Cowboys were thin there last season before 6'11" Ibrahima Thomas left the team. But Ford found 6'7" Marshall Moses on his bench. Moses, who was outsized by just about every opponent last season, moved into a starting spot midway through the year and played his best basketball down the stretch. With Moses, it is all about hustle. He is going to defend, rebound, set screens, and run the floor. While there are very few people who Moses will out talent during the year, there are even fewer players who will out work him.

Most likely, Moses is going to be playing many more minutes at the four this season. The most likely candidate to step in and play at center is Matt Pilgrim. Pilgrim, who spent his freshman season at Hampton before redshirting last season at Kentucky, will be eligible to play right away for Ford. Pilgrim is a big, strong, 6'8" body inside. While his offense is fairly limited at this point in his career, Pilgrim is not going to be depended on for scoring as much as he will be simply for his size and strength. Jarred Shaw and Torin Francis, two freshman, should also see some time this year. Shaw is very raw right now. At a long 6'11", Shaw is still not much of an offensive player, but has shown signs of being able to be a force on the defensive end (although, there are some questions about his effort level at this end). His ability to run the floor in transition will be a key for the Cowboys. Walker is not as tall as Shaw, but he isn't as strong as Pilgrim. While he is a bit farther along in terms of offensive ability and, given his 225 lb frame, a bit closer to being ready to handle some consistent minutes inside than Shaw, he doesn't have quite the upside.

Outlook: OK State will, once again, be a team that looks to run the floor and score a lot of points. The scoring ability is going to be there on the perimeter, especially with Anderson. There will be three keys to the Oklahoma State season. Can Raymond Penn fill in for Eaton, both in his ability to lead the transition game and break down defenders in the half court? Will someone be able to step up and be a second and third scoring option for the Pokes, taking the pressure off of Anderson? Will the three newcomers inside be able to handle the rigors of the Big XII? While I don't think the Cowboys are going to finish in the top two in the league (Kansas and Texas are just too good), they should compete with Oklahoma and Kansas State for the third spot in a very good Big XII.