This year’s Oklahoma State men’s Basketball team looks the same, yet very different in 2011. New players, such as Markel Brown, J.P. Olukemi, and Darrell Williams, have stepped in to make their new presence felt. Oklahoma State still has a somewhat veteran tem with Keiton Page, Marshall Moses and Matt Pilgrim starting. The Cowboys have started their season 13-4, 1-2 Big 12. The overall record and a victory over then No. 17 K-State have many fans believing in the Cowboys. It is still too early to tell what this team will do by season’s end.

Early this season Oklahoma State did not play the toughest of schedules, although they have beat teams with good athletic programs like Alabama, Stanford, K-state and Tulsa.  Their losses have come to a previously ranked Virginia Tech, Gonzaga, No. 13 Texas A & M and a very surprising Colorado team (by 2 pts.).  13-4 overall is beyond what most critics had picked the cowboys to be at this point in the season. However, this team is young. Yes there are three players that have played together for two full seasons, but that was with James Anderson, a first round pick by the Spurs.

Page, Moses and Pilgrim must find a way to come together and play with the young talent Travis Ford has brought in. J.P. Olukemi is a transfer sophomore from California and has by far been the most productive new comer. Against K-State the first year cowboy had 22 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Markel Brown was named the high school player of the year in Louisiana last year. Earlier this year he was playing just a few minutes with a cautious attitude. Since Coach Ford had given Brown more minutes in the past 8 games he has excelled and is a star in the making for the Cowboys. Darrell Williams is a Juco. transfer that came in from last year’s Junior College Championship Team.  Williams has proven to be a key backup to Moses and Pilgrim, a monster when it comes to rebounding.

It will take time to see where these veteran yet young, if that is possible, will end up, N.I.T. or NCAA Tournament? It will take the veteran players to play like they have been there before, which they have the last two years, for the younger guys to gain more confidence thus getting more production on the hardwood. The Oklahoma State Cowboys have the talent to get to the NCAA tourney and make a statement.  For the Cowboy’s to get to the big tournament the veterans will need to step up along with the new comers playing and gaining experience.

As I sat in the OSU stands with a close friend of mine watching this year’s bedlam game, I thought to myself, “what a hell of a year”.  Even though that particular beldam game did not turn out the way I would have hoped for in my wildest dreams, I still felt a subtle happiness.  This year for Oklahoma State football fans was nothing but a success.  I know there are many fans that would argue that since we lost to OU and did not advance to the Big 12 south title game, the season was a failure at best.  I’d have to disagree.  OSU fans have not seen a 10 win regular season since 1988. Five straight honorable bowls for the Oklahoma State Cowboys was a thought of the past.

This year many obstacles and stigmas were put to rest for good.  I could tell you many stories watching from Boone Pickens stadium about gaining huge leads to witness a cowboy team lose in a disgusting fashion, the Texas Long Horns most notably. Also, I’ve seen an OSU team take a ranked Texas A&M team into overtime just to lose on a blocked extra point. How about every single year for the last decade knowing when the Cowboys play Texas Tech the home team was destined to win? These stigmas and many others were taken care of this year by Coach Mike Gundy, his staff and most especially his players.

Brandon Weeden, Kendal Hunter, Justin Blackman……maybe the best triple threat ever at Oklahoma State?  That is an argument that will go on for the rest time.  Watching Brandon Weeden, an ex Yankee pitcher, become a unanimous all Big 12 quarter back is a success in itself.  Justin Blackman was named the AP all Big 12 offensive player of the the year, again a success. Don’t forget about Kendall Hunter, being hurt all of last year, still managed to lead the Big 12 in rushing for two separate years.  His career at OSU was a complete success.

I know OSU did not make it to the last Big 12 title game, we did however, tie for first in the south.  Yea, say what you will but I’ll take it just for recruiting purposes. This was a spectacular year that will never be repeated with all the offensive and late season defensive plays.  It is hard to imagine we will again witness a QB throw for over 4,000 yards, a RB rush for over 1,500 yards, and a WR have over 1,500 yards receiving.  It was a great season that every OSU fan should be very proud of. If you ask me, this season was a complete success. The Oklahoma State football program is on a steady rise and better not be overlooked in next year’s new conference.