ROUNDBALL DAILY

Oklahoma State Cowboys: NCAA Tournament Profile

Marcus-Smart-Doesnt-Buy-Into-The-Wiggins-Hype.

The ‘Pokes were 22-9 with Smart in the lineup this season. (AP Photo)

Oklahoma State Cowboys (21-12, 8-10 Big 12)-The Cowboys came back from the dead, winning four straight  after a seven-game losing streak that nearly ended their NCAA Tournament chances in February. This is one of the most talented teams in the nation, with mercurial yet brilliant point guard Marcus Smart (17.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.7 apg) leading the way.

Smart, who will be a top pick in the NBA Draft come June, is capable of carrying the Cowboys deep into March on his own. But he’s got plenty of help in super-athletic guard Markel Brown (17.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), forward Le’Bryan Nash (14.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and sharpshooter Phil Forte (13.3 ppg, 45% 3-pt FG).

Oklahoma State started off the season 15-2, and were ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation. They struggled in the rugged Big 12, and lost games because they turned the ball over and didn’t execute offensively. This is a tough defensive team as well, ranking 44th in the country in opponents’ field goal percentage.

KEY STATS:

15th Points per Game (80.3)

18th Points per Possession (1.12)

44th Field Goal Percentage Defense (40.7)

 

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