Cisse ‘Moving Better,’ Availability Still in Question Heading into Bedlam

STILLWATER — The Cowboys are on a three-game skid entering Wednesday’s Bedlam matchup, and all three of those games have come without the Big 12’s best rim protector.

Moussa Cisse injured his ankle in Oklahoma State’s win against West Virginia on Jan. 2. After Monday’s practice, OSU coach Mike Boynton gave an update on Cisse heading into Bedlam.

“Moving better today than he was at any point up until now,” Boynton said. “Got in a drill in practice today just to test it out. It was non-contact.

“Making progress but still not comfortable saying that he’ll be ready to go Wednesday.”

In 14 games this season, Cisse averaged 8.1 points and 9.9 rebounds a contest. Despite having missed OSU’s past three games, he still has a 10-block lead on the rest of the conference. He has 38 blocks this season; as a team, West Virginia has 45 blocks this season.

The Cowboys are 1-1 in Big 12 games Cisse has played in this season, falling to Kansas 69-67 in Lawrence before beating West Virginia 67-60 in Stillwater. Kansas hasn’t lost a Big 12 game while West Virginia hasn’t won one.

In two Bedlam games last season, Cisse averaged 12 points, 7.5 rebounds and two blocks a game.

OSU and Oklahoma tip at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.