Largely due to the arrival of highly regarded freshman Marcus Smart, this is the best team Travis Ford has had since he took over as head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. What else do the Cowboys have to do now that they have reached the tournament for the first time since 2010, and what might derail the chances to make this a truly memorable season in Stillwater?
ESPN Insider has your answers, as Joe Lunardi has enlisted a team of Bracketologists to compile advanced metrics, key scouting intel and best- and worst-case tournament scenarios for all 68 teams, in order to help you make smart picks in your bracket. Plus, as Lunardi fills out his bracket, he'll give you his prediction on how each team will fare.
PROFILES FOR ALL 68 TEAMS | BRACKET PREDICTOR
Lunardi's Logic
The Cowboys have won at Kansas and on neutral courts against North Carolina State and Tennessee. But that doesn't mitigate an unfair draw in San Jose against an Oregon team that may be the most under-seeded in recent tournament history. Even so, I like Oklahoma State to win one tight game thanks to its superior guards. I'm not nearly as confident in a potential third-round pairing with Saint Louis.
TOURNEY PROFILE
Best wins: NC State, at Kansas, Oklahoma
Worst losses: at Virginia Tech, at Baylor, at Iowa State