Friday, Oct. 12 Oklahoma State gave new meaning to the concept of handling adversity last season, and conducted themselves with dignity and class throughout the tragic aftermath of the plane crash. This year, the Cowboys will be a better team, and Eddie Sutton has the personnel to go with a three-guard lineup, two of whom are the most versatile guards in the Big 12. Maurice Baker should have made the U.S. National Team this summer, and is a quick, natural scorer who is a great guard rebounder. Victor Williams improved steadily throughout last season, shoots off the catch or drives to shoot over you, and he buries his pull-up jumper. Aaron Hill and Cheyne Gadson can shoot it, and if Fredrik Jonzen, Andre Williams and Ivan McFarlin can rebound and defend, the Cowboys will be very good.

16
Oklahoma State
LAST SEASON: 20-10
2001 FINAL RANKING: NR

Why No. 16?
The Cowboys return their entire team intact and will still be one of the toughest defensive teams in the Big 12, let alone the nation. They've got two of the most unheralded guards in Maurice Baker and Victor Williams. And history shows that when Eddie Sutton has an experienced team he does well. It takes a few seasons to learn his system and once that happens the Cowboys are a tough out. They take care of the basketball, defend in the halfcourt and have one of the hardest homecourts in the nation. Oklahoma State will be one of the teams that doesn't get the national publicity, but will continue to be talked about in March, largely because of their chemistry and their competence at the point.

Will Rise If ...
The Cowboys get the necessary inside play off the bench. They've got the potential with Ivan McFarlin, but they need one to two players to help Victor Williams and Fredrik Jonzen. The Cowboys haven't had a problem defending but need to score inside with more ease.

Will Fall If ...
Oklahoma State can't exploit its perimeter play. The Cowboys have two of the best guards in the league and need to ensure they are the focal point of the game. If they get taken away then the Cowboys will be vulnerable.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big 12 coach's take on the Cowboys

“

Excellent guard play, quick and shoot it and control the game. Victor Williams can hit 3s on you quickly. He can control the game with his speed. It can be uptempo with him. It's a real problem. He drives it and get past you at any time. Maurice Baker can get past you easily and create his own shot. He's one of the better rebounding guards in the league. They're always a great defensive team so you have to run your offense. You must run your offense through their defense. Their defense is going to be solid. Fredrik Jonzen can step out and play with his back to the basket. He's a tough matchup and Andre Williams is relentless on the glass. They play really, really hard. They played a lot of minutes last year together. And they're winners. They're chemistry will be good from the outset because those four guys will be on the court a lot ”

2001-02 OKLAHOMA STATE ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(1) Maurice Baker	Sr.	G	6-1/183	PTS: 19.8 | REB: 6.7 | 3PT%: 40.8
(21) Antoine Broxsie	Sr.	F	6-10/241	PTS: 2.5 | REB: 2.4 | FG%: 56.3
(14) Terrence Crawford	So.	F	6-6/241	PTS: 3.5 | REB: 2.4 | FG%: 40.0
(30) Cheyne Gadson	Jr.	G	6-3/202	JUCO transfer will make it tough on Sutton to sit him; Good passer and pull-up shot
(2) Aaron Hill	So.	G	6-3/186	Silky-smooth shooter who'll score when open outside
(13) Guy Ikpah	Fr.	G	6-0/174	Redshirted during 2000-01 season
(12) Fredrik Jonzen	Sr.	F	6-10/229	PTS: 15.0 | REB: 6.5 | FG%: 52.0
(55) Jack Marlow	So.	C	7-0/308	PTS: 1.8 | REB: 1.7 | FG%: 51.2
(23) Ivan McFarlin	So.	F	6-7/221	Ineligible as a freshman, but has skills that compared to A. Williams in practice
(34) Melvin Sanders	Jr.	G/F	6-5/214	PTS: 8.0 | REB: 4.4 | FG%: 42.5
(44) Frans Steyn	Fr.	C	7-1/295	He looks awsome off the court, but S. African has never played basketball
(40) Andre Williams	Jr.	F	6-7/210	PTS: 6.8 | REB: 7.7 | FG%: 50.3
(5) Victor Williams	Jr.	G	5-10/185	PTS: 11.5 | AST: 3.7 | FG%: 36.5
Head Coach: Eddie Sutton (249-105, 11 years; Overall: 679-269, 31 years) Assistant Coaches: Sean Sutton, Glynn Gyprien, Kyle Keller Home Court: Gallagher-Iba Arena (13,611); Stillwater, Okla.

2001-02 OKLAHOMA STATE SCHEDULE

November 16: Cincinnati 17: Austin Peay (a) 19: TBD (b) 20: TBD (b) 21: TBD (b) 24: North Texas 29: New Orleans

December 1: Wichita State 8: Jackson State 17: N'western St. 19 at UMKC 22: at Arkansas 29: Ball State

January 5: Texas 8: at Baylor 12: at Iowa State 15: Kansas 19: at Texas Tech 23: Nebraska 26: Colorado 30: at Oklahoma

February 2: at Kansas State 6: Texas Tech 10: at Fresno State 13: Oklahoma 16: at Texas A&M 20: at Texas 23: Baylor 25: at Missouri

March 2: Texas A&M 6: Big 12 Tournament