Oklahoma State University Cowboys Men's Basketball Team Profile

Once a college basketball powerhouse under the leadership of the legendary Henry Iba in the 1940's, the Cowboys were the first in NCAA history to win back-to-back National Championships. They then saw renewal when Iba's protege, Eddie Sutton, took over in 1990. In Sutton's time, the Cowboys went to 2 Final Fours and made 13 NCAA tournament appearances in 15 years. The 1995 Final Four appearance featured future NBA big man Bryant "Big Country" Reeves while the 2004 Final Four team featured future NBA draft picks, Tony Allen and Joey Graham.

Following Eddie Sutton's DUI arrest, his son and former Cowboys player, Sean Sutton, was named Head Coach in 2006. The tenure began with plenty of promise. At one point, Oklahoma State was 15-1 and ranked as high as 9th in the country. Then the bottom fell out. A disastrous run through the Big 12 left the Cowboys out of NCAA tournament contention and playing in the NIT. 2007-2008 didn't even begin well, the team losing early and too often before finishing 17-15 and exiting the NIT early for the 3rd straight season.

Things turned around quickly for the Cowboys upon the hiring of Travis Ford. The team made a deep NCAA Tournament run in 2008-2009, then built on that success with a 24-11 season in 2009-2010. Behind talented upper-classmen such as James Anderson and Obi Muonelo, Oklahoma State made the NCAA Tournament again but this time fell in a first round game to Georgia Tech. After those two graduated, the 2010-2011 team slipped a bit, a 20-14 record leading to a NIT berth, but there is general satisfaction with Ford's coaching and recruiting.

Also, get information on the women's program.

The Cowboys play at one of the most notoriously rambunctious arenas in the nation, Eddie Sutton Court in historic Gallagher-Iba Arena. After undergoing a renovation in 2003, the seating capacity was more than doubled to over 13,000, but the atmosphere has remained. Built in 1938, the arena still contains the original white maple floor and now includes 14 luxury suites and up-close fan seating.

Tickets for OSU men's basketball games can be purchased online or by calling the Oklahoma State ticket office at 877-All-4-OSU. Prices are typically between $25 and $50, and the school also offers half-season tickets for $300.

Head Coach: Travis Ford - since 2008
Former Head Coach at Massachusetts and Eastern Kentucky
Associate Head Coach: Butch Pierre - since 2008
Associate Head Coach at LSU for six seasons
Assistant Coach: Chris Ferguson - since 2007
Former Associate Head Coach at East Carolina
Assistant Coach: Steve Middleton - since 2008

0 Jéan-Paul Olukemi G/F 6-6 215 JR
1 Cezar Guerrero G 6-0 175 FR
2 Le'Bryan Nash G/F 6-7 230 FR
4 Brian Williams G/F 6-5 205 RS FR
5 Reger Dowell G 6-1 180 JR
12 Keiton Page G 5-9 165 SR
14 Marek Souček F/C 235 FR
15 Christien Sager G 6-3 200 FR
20 Michael Cobbins F 6-8 220 RS FR
21 Fred Gulley G 6-2 185 RS SO
22 Markel Brown G 6-3 190 SO
25 Darrell Williams F 6-8 245 SR
44 Philip Jurick C 6-11 270 JR

Last season went the way many expected. After two very successful seasons under Travis Ford, there was bound to be a step back after the loss of talented players Obi Muonelo and James Anderson, who is now in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs. Still, the team made the NIT, and several players gained valuable experience. For 2011-2012, that experience figures to be a huge benefit, as does the arrival of a few new standout players. Ford landed one of the top recruits in the nation in 2011, 6'7" forward LeBryan Nash, and Phillip Jurick is expected to provide a presence inside. With the Big 12 somewhat at the top, Oklahoma State could be back in a position to make the NCAA tournament.