Oklahoma State Basketball Starts Big 12 Play With Three Straight Losses

The Cowboys have gotten off to a rocky start to begin the new year and Big 12 conference play.

When the Oklahoma State Cowboys began their basketball season, they got off to a rocky start. They were losing close non-conference games that should have been wins. Eventually, they straightened things out, rattling off a win streak just before Big 12 play began. 

While it seemed the Cowboys had turned things around and hit their stride, Big 12 basketball play has proved to be incredibly humbling. They started with a close loss to Baylor, which was a promising game that could have been a big win. Then, playing Texas Tech was a bit more difficult for Oklahoma State. 

After the two conference losses, the Cowboys had to face Iowa State, who played right into the Cowboys' weaknesses. The Cyclones downed Oklahoma State 66-42 in a game that wasn't much of a close one after Iowa State initially pulled away.

Again, Iowa State played right into Oklahoma State's weakness. Even in non-conference play, the Cowboys struggled with turnovers, which has been something that's hurt them plenty so far this season. The Cyclones turned the Cowboys over 20 times. In perspective, Oklahoma State made just 15 of their 47 shot attempts. They had five more turnovers than made baskets in the loss.

Evidently, having turnover issues just isn't going to cut it for the Cowboys in Big 12 play. There are no nights off in this conference and they're going to have to work out their struggles if they want to be competitive on a nightly basis. 

Oklahoma State has all the talent they need, but they were suffocated defensively by Iowa State and couldn't get in any sort of rhythm. Having the talent doesn't matter when there is no rhythm offensively, and turning the ball over doesn't help their case at all.

With an 8-8 record on the season, the Cowboys are dead last in the Big 12 at 0-3 and threaten to fall to a losing record once again as their next game comes against Kansas on Tuesday. 

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