OSU Hoops: Cowboys Picked to Finish 11th in Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll

Steve Lutz appears to have assembled his most talented roster yet, but the Cowboys are going to have to earn it on the hardwood.

The Big 12 announced its 2026-27 preseason coaches’ poll on Thursday and Oklahoma State landed at No. 11. Coming off a trip to the Final Four last year, the Arizona Wildcats were picked to repeat as conference champs.

The Cowboys were tabbed to finish 12th last season’s preseason poll and finished 14th. They went 20-15 but just 6-12 in the Big 12, losing seven of their last nine to end the season. In Lutz’s first year in 2024-25, the Pokes went 17-18 but 7-13 in conference play.

But there’s reason for confidence in this year’s squad despite an ugly showing in an exhibition game last week.

OSU boasts the No. 8 recruiting class in the country according to 247 Sports, with incoming freshmen Anthony Felesi, Parker Robinson, Latrell Allmond and Jalen Montonati all apparently threatening for playing time amongst a group of talented vets and transfers.

OSU is also ranked No. 30 in the portal rankings including four-star transfers Jordan Burks (UCF), Adrija Grbovic (Arizona State), Julius Halaifonua (Georgetown) and Luke Bogavac (UNC).

And that’s not to mention the return of second-leading scorer Parsa Fallah who is returning after tearing his ACL late last season. He was granted a temporary restraining order that allows him to take advantage of the recent NCAA rule change regarding eligibility.

So, with maybe his most talented roster and in his third year, will Lutz be able to exceed preseason expectations? We’ll start to find out soon. Oklahoma State’s regular season tips off against Incarnate Word Nov. 2.

Here’s a look at the full coaches’ poll.
1. Arizona (12) – 220 points
2. Houston (4) – 214 points
3. Kansas – 186 points
4. Iowa State – 181 points
5. Texas Tech – 180 points
6. BYU – 148 points
7. TCU – 137 points
T8. Cincinnati – 116 points
T8. West Virginia – 116 points
10. Baylor – 102 points
11. Oklahoma State – 98 points
12. Arizona State – 75 points
13. UCF – 55 points
T14. Colorado – 34 points
T14. Kansas State – 34 points
16. Utah – 24 points