With consecutive NIT appearances behind them and injured big man Parsa Fallah working toward a return, Oklahoma State has its sights set on an NCAA Tournament berth as the Cowboys open their season against Incarnate Word on Monday in Stillwater, Okla.
Fallah started all 26 games he played last season until going down with a knee injury on Feb. 24 in an overtime win against West Virginia. He continues to rehabilitate the injury while targeting a December return. Fallah also received an injunction granting him eligibility for another season as part of the Class of 2022.
“It’s been tough to mentally and physically get back to where I was or to be an even more complete player,” Fallah said. “But it’s a process you have to embrace and work on every day.”
While Oklahoma State awaits Fallah’s return, fifth-year guard Kanye Clary will direct the offense after averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 assists last season. Sam Houston transfer Kashie Natt (10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals), the reigning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, also enters his fifth season.
The Cowboys finished 20-15 last season but went 6-12 in the Big 12, a conference mark coach Steve Lutz hopes to improve as he enters his third season.
“Anytime you can win 20 games and get to the postseason in back-to-back years you are making progress in what you are doing,” Lutz said. “But I was hired in April, two years ago, to get to the NCAA Tournament and that’s got to be the goal. It’s time to realize that goal.”
Incarnate Word coach Shane Heirman enters his fourth season at the helm of the Cardinals’ program. Drew Barbee is the only returner from last year’s 12-19 squad.
San Diego transfer D’arrae Goodwin is expected to provide an inside presence, while Southern Indiana transfer Ismail Habib brings perimeter shooting.
Michigan State defeated Incarnate Word 89-59 in an Oct. 2 exhibition game, but Spartans coach Tom Izzo saw offensive potential in the Cardinals.
“I thought they have three guys that can really make some shots,” Izzo said. “They really did a good job of driving (against) us.”