Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball


The Oklahoma State Cowboys basketball team represents Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States in NCAA Division I men's basketball competition. All women's teams at the school are known as Cowgirls. The [Oklahoma State Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls|Cowboys and Cowgirls|Cowboys] currently compete in the Big 12 Conference.
Oklahoma State men’s basketball has a very rich history of success, having won consecutive NCAA National Championships in 1945 and 1946. The Cowboys have also been to six Final Fours, 11 Elite Eights and 14 Sweet Sixteens over a total of 29 NCAA tournament appearances. Oklahoma State has also won a combined total of 23 conference titles, with their most recent title coming in the [2005 Big 12 Conference|Big 12 men's basketball tournament|2005 Big 12 tournament]. In 2020, CBS Sports ranked Oklahoma State the 25th best college basketball program of all-time, ahead of programs such as Oklahoma and Texas.
Since 1938, the Cowboys have played their home games in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys are currently led by Steve Lutz, in his 2nd season after he was hired as head coach on April 1, 2024.
WWW okstate.com/index.aspx?pa...𝕏 OSUMBB

History

Oklahoma State University began varsity intercollegiate competition in men's basketball in 1908. The Cowboys rank 40th in total victories among all NCAA Division I college basketball programs, with an all-time win–loss record of 1,748–1,249 at the end of 2023–24 season.
The Cowboys have made 29 total appearances in the NCAA tournament, reaching the NCAA Final Four six times and the NCAA regional finals eleven times. Oklahoma State won the NCAA Championship in 1945 and 1946. The Cowboys rank eleventh in all-time Final Four appearances and tenth in total NCAA Championships.

The early years (1907–34)

Under nine head coaches in this period, Oklahoma A&M found very little success, with only six winning seasons. Very little success was found early on and after a 6–15 season under first-year head coach John Maulbetsch, things were not looking well. However, in the next three seasons Maulbetsch turned around the program, leading the Aggies to a 41–20 record culminating with a first-place finish in their last season in the Southwest Conference. The move to the Missouri Valley Conference in 1925 would halt the progress under this budding coach however, and after Maulbetsch resigned from the positions of football, baseball and basketball coach, the Aggies would not have another winning season until Henry Iba took the reins in 1934. However, despite an overall record of 7–9, the Aggies did win the Missouri Valley Conference Co-Championship in 1930–31 under Coach George E. Rody with a conference record of 5–3.
This period in Oklahoma State basketball history was marked with mainly football coaches heading the football, baseball and basketball teams.
CoachRecordSeasons
Boyd Hill2–31
William Schrieber4–52
Paul Davis15–163
John Griffith18–122
Earl Pritchard11–152
James Pixlee3–212
John Maulbetsch75–748
George E. Rody8–242
Harold James13–423

Henry Iba era (1934–70)

Henry Iba came to Oklahoma A&M College in 1934, where he remained for 36 years, retiring after the 1969–70 season. For most of his tenure at A&M/OSU, he doubled as athletic director.
Iba's teams were methodical, ball-controlling units that featured weaving patterns and low scoring games. Iba's "swinging gate" defense was applauded by many, and is still effective in today's game. He was known as "the Iron Duke of Defense".
Iba's Aggies became the first to win consecutive NCAA national championship titles. They beat NYU in the 1945 national championship and North Carolina in the 1946 national championship. He was voted coach of the year in both seasons. His two national title teams were led by Bob Kurland, the game's first seven-foot player. Additionally, Iba's 1945 team defeated National Invitation Tournament champion, DePaul, and 6' 9" center George Mikan in a classic Red Cross Benefit game. Iba's 1949 and 1951 teams also reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
In conference play, Oklahoma A&M/Oklahoma State teams won 655 games, 14 Missouri Valley championships, and one Big Eight championship in 36 seasons with Iba as head men's basketball coach.
"Mr. Iba," as he is still popularly known at OSU, remained a fixture on campus until his death in 1993, often giving advice to players during practice. One seat in the southeast concourse level of Gallagher-Iba Arena remains unused in his honor.

1970–90

The mostly subpar results of Iba's final decade in Stillwater largely remained the status quo for Oklahoma State during the two decades following his retirement. From the 1970–71 to 1989–90 seasons, the Cowboys finished with winning records only six times, finished in the top half of the Big Eight Conference standings only three times, and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament only once.

Eddie Sutton era (1990–2006)

After being an assistant for the Cowboys in 1958–59, Eddie Sutton returned to Oklahoma State in 1990 to coach. In the years leading up to his hiring, the team had made postseason play only three times since joining the Big Eight Conference in 1957.
The Cowboys began to turn around almost immediately with Sutton's presence, and in 1991, Oklahoma State returned to the NCAA Tournament, winning their first NCAA Tournament game since making the Elite Eight in 1965. Sutton’s Cowboys advanced all the way to the Sweet Sixteen during his first two seasons. In 1995, the Pokes, under the leadership of Bryant "Big Country" Reeves and Randy Rutherford, captured the Big Eight Conference Tournament and clinched a bid to the 1995 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They advanced to the Final Four in Seattle, Washington, where they lost to eventual national champion UCLA. It was the Cowboys' deepest advance in the tournament since 1951.
Led by John Lucas III, Joey Graham, and 2004 Big 12 Player of the Year Tony Allen, Sutton's 2003–04 team finished with a school-record 31 wins, won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the Final Four as a No. 2 seed in the 2004 NCAA tournament. The Cowboys finished the season ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.
In his 16 seasons in Stillwater, the Cowboys reached the postseason 15 times, including 13 NCAA Tournament bids and two Final Four appearances. They also captured three regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament championships. Sutton finished his career at OSU as the second-winningest coach in school history, behind only his mentor, Iba.

2001 plane crash

On January 27, 2001, one of three planes carrying Oklahoma State staff and players crashed in a snow storm near Byers, Colorado, killing all 10 on board. The plane was on its way back from a loss against the University of Colorado. Those killed included Nate Fleming, a redshirt freshman guard; Dan Lawson, a junior guard; Bill Teegins, radio sportscaster of OSU basketball and sports anchor on CBS affiliate KWTV-9 in Oklahoma City; Kendall Durfey, television and radio engineer; Will Hancock, media relations coordinator; Pat Noyes, director of basketball operations; Brian Luinstra, athletic trainer; Jared Weiberg, student assistant; Denver Mills, pilot; and Bjorn Falistrom, co-pilot.
Since 2007, Oklahoma State has honored these ten during an annual 5k and 10K race called the Remember the Ten Run.

Sean Sutton era (2006–08)

Eddie Sutton's son, Sean Sutton, also a former Cowboy player, took over head coaching duties in 2006. Following a record of 39–29 which included a 13–19 mark in Big 12 play during his first two seasons, Sutton resigned under pressure after a March 31, 2008, meeting with Athletic Director Mike Holder.

Travis Ford era (2008–16)

On April 16, 2008, Travis Ford was hired as the 18th men's basketball head coach at Oklahoma State. He resigned from the same position with the UMass Minutemen to take the position. At the time of his hiring, he had a Division I coaching record of 123–115. Ford also coached at Eastern Kentucky and Campbellsville University. As a player, he was coached by Norm Stewart at the University of Missouri as a freshman. He transferred after his freshman season and played for three years at the University of Kentucky under Rick Pitino.
Ford was fired on March 18, 2016 after a season in which the Cowboys went 3–15 in Big 12 play and 12–20 overall. Although he led the Cowboys to five NCAA tournaments in his eight seasons in charge, he never finished higher than third in conference play, and finished sixth or worse in the Big 12 seven times.

Brad Underwood era (2016–2017)

Three days after Ford's firing, Oklahoma State hired Brad Underwood from Stephen F. Austin State University. He began his coaching career at Kansas State, first serving as director of basketball operations for a season and then serving as an assistant for five more. Underwood then went to South Carolina as an assistant for a season before being hired to his first head coaching post at SFA. During his three seasons in charge, the Lumberjacks went 89–14 overall and 53–1 in Southland Conference regular-season play, making the NCAA tournament all three seasons and advancing to the second round twice. Underwood's 89 wins tie him with Brad Stevens for the most wins by a men's basketball head coach in his first three seasons at an NCAA school. He is also the first coach to be named Southland Conference Coach of the Year three consecutive times. On March 18, 2017 Brad Underwood was hired at Illinois. During the 2016-17 season, Associate head coach Lamont Evans was engaged in bribery scheme that came to light in 2017. Evans was sentenced to three months in prison in June 2019 for his participation in the scheme, which he also conducted at the University of South Carolina. In June 2020 press release, the NCAA announced a postseason ban for 2020–21.

Mike Boynton era (2017–2024)

The school promoted assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. to head coach on March 24, 2017. Under Boynton, Oklahoma State only managed to reach the NCAA tournament once. Led by Big 12 Player of the Year Cade Cunningham, the Cowboys earned a 4-seed in the 2021 NCAA tournament, where they defeated Liberty in the First Round before being upset by Oregon State in the Second Round. Oklahoma State would never make it back to the tournament under Boynton, and he was fired on March 14, 2024, after a 13th place conference finish and first round exit from the Big 12 Tournament. Boynton finished with a 119–109 record, including 51–75 in conference play.

Steve Lutz era (2024–present)

Steve Lutz was announced as the head coach on April 1, 2024. In his first year, the Cowboys went 7–13 in the Big 12 and 17–18 overall, earning a bid to the NIT, where they fell in the quarterfinals to North Texas.

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Cowboys have appeared in the NCAA tournament 29 times. Their combined record is 39–28. Oklahoma State has been to six Final Fours, and they were National Champions in 1945 and 1946.
1945Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		Utah
Arkansas
NYU		W 62–37
W 68–41
W 49–45
1946Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		Baylor
California
North Carolina		W 44–29
W 52–35
W 43–40
1949Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		Wyoming
Oregon State
Kentucky		W 40–39
W 55–30
L 36–46
1951Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd Place Game		Montana State
Washington
Kansas State
Illinois		W 50–46
W 61–57
L 44–68
L 46–61
1953Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		TCU
Kansas		W 71–54
L 55–61
1954Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Rice
Bradley		W 51–45
L 57–71
1958First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Loyola
Arkansas
Kansas State		W 59–42
W 65–40
L 57–69
1965Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		Houston
Wichita State		W 75–60
L 46–54
1983#5First Round#12 PrincetonL 53–56
1991#3First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		#14 New Mexico
  1. 6 NC State
  2. 10 Temple
W 67–64W 73–64
L 63–72OT
1992#2First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		#15 Georgia Southern
  1. 10 Tulane
  2. 6 Michigan
W 100–73W 87–71
L 72–75
1993#5First Round
Second Round		#12 Marquette
  1. 4 Louisville
W 74–62L 63–78
1994#4First Round
Second Round		#13 New Mexico State
  1. 12 Tulsa
W 65–55L 80–82
1995#4First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#13 Drexel
  1. 5 Alabama
  2. 1 Wake Forest
  3. 2 Massachusetts
  4. 1 UCLA
W 73–49W 66–52
W 71–66
W 68–54
L 61–74
1998#8First Round
Second Round		#9 George Washington
  1. 1 Duke
W 74–59L 73–79
1999#9First Round
Second Round		#8 Syracuse
  1. 1 Auburn
W 69–61L 74–81
2000#3First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#14 Hofstra
  1. 11 Pepperdine
  2. 10 Seton Hall
  3. 5 Florida
W 86–66W 75–67
W 68–66
L 65–77
2001#11First Round#6 USCL 54–69
2002#7First Round#10 Kent StateL 61–69
2003#6First Round
Second Round		#11 Penn
  1. 3 Syracuse
W 77–63L 56–68
2004#2First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#15 Eastern Washington
  1. 7 Memphis
  2. 3 Pittsburgh
  3. 1 Saint Joseph's
  4. 3 Georgia Tech
W 75–56W 70–53
W 63–51
W 64–62
L 65–67
2005#2First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		#15 Southeastern Louisiana
  1. 7 Southern Illinois
  2. 3 Arizona
W 63–50W 85–77
L 78–79
2009#8First Round
Second Round		#9 Tennessee
  1. 1 Pittsburgh
W 77–75L 76–84
2010#7First Round#10 Georgia TechL 59–64
2013#5First Round#12 OregonL 55–68
2014#9First Round#8 GonzagaL 77–85
2015#9First Round#8 OregonL 73–79
2017#10First Round#7 MichiganL 91–92
2021#4First Round
Second Round		#13 Liberty
  1. 12 Oregon State
W 69–60L 70–80

NIT results

The Cowboys have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament 14 times. Their combined record is 13–15.
1938Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Temple
NYU		L 55–56
W 37–24
1940Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Duquesne
DePaul		L 30–34
W 23–22
1944Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Canisius
DePaul
Kentucky		W 43–29
L 38–41
L 29–45
1956First RoundDuquesneL 61–69
1989First Round
Second Round		Boise State
St. John's		W 69–55
L 64–76
1990First Round
Second Round		Tulsa
New Mexico		W 83–74
L 88–90
1997First Round
Second Round		Tulane
Michigan		W 79–72
L 65–75
2006First RoundMiami L 59–62
2007First RoundMaristL 64–67
2008First RoundSouthern IllinoisL 53–69
2011First Round
Second Round		Harvard
Washington State		W 71–54
L 64–74
2018First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Florida Gulf Coast
Stanford
Western Kentucky		W 80–68
W 71–65
L 84–92
2023First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Youngstown State
Eastern Washington
North Texas		W 69–64
W 71–60
L 59–65OT
2025First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Wichita State
SMU
North Texas		W 89–79
W 85–83
L 59–61

Facilities

Gallagher-Iba Arena

Gallagher-Iba Arena, once dubbed β€œMadison Square Garden of the Plains”, is the basketball and wrestling venue at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Originally completed in 1938 and named the 4-H Club and Student Activities Building, it was soon renamed Gallagher Hall to honor wrestling coach, Ed Gallagher. After renovations in 1987, the name became Gallagher-Iba Arena, as a tribute to longtime basketball coach and innovator, Henry Iba. Gallagher-Iba Arena was named the best college gymnasium by CBS SportsLine.com in August 2001.
The first basketball game was played on December 9, 1938, when Iba's Oklahoma A&M Aggies beat Phog Allen’s Kansas Jayhawks, 21–15, in a battle between two of the nation's early basketball powers. In its original configuration, seating was limited to 6,381. Though small by today's standards, it was the largest collegiate facility in the country when completed. The original maple floor, still in use today, was the most expensive of its kind in America when it was installed in 1938.
Oklahoma State completed a $55 million expansion of Gallagher-Iba Arena prior to the 1999–2000 Cowboy basketball season. Rather than build a new, off-campus arena to accommodate the need for additional seating, the decision was made to expand Gallagher-Iba Arena itself to more than double its original capacity. The old sightlines and the original white maple floor were kept.
On January 15, 2005, the court was officially named after Eddie Sutton as Eddie Sutton Court.

Notable players

Cowboys in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Five members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame have been associated with the Oklahoma State's men's basketball team. Some former players have been enshrined as players, while some former players have been enshrined as coaches.

Players

Coaches

Cowboys in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

Four former Oklahoma State players/coaches that have been enshrined in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Players

Coaches

  • Don Haskins, also former player inducted in 2006.
  • Henry Iba former coach, inducted in 2006.
  • Eddie Sutton, also a former player and former head coach of Oklahoma State.

Cowboys in the NBA

Current players

Former players

Cowboys in overseas league

Current players

Cowboys basketball players notable in other fields