Oklahoma State Cowgirls
Big 12 (21-10, 9-9)
Oklahoma State has rallied around Coach Jim Littell for another successful season. There have been some tough losses, especially on the road, but the Cowgirls have also beaten good teams like Kansas, Iowa State and Oklahoma. The non-conference slate was pretty easy and the Cowgirls started off with an 11-0 record, but they held their own in the tough Big 12 too.
Big Wins: 1/20 Iowa State (71-42), 2/13 at West Virginia (64-54), 2/23 Oklahoma (83-62)
Bad Losses: 1/23 at Kansas State (70-76), 1/29 West Virginia (61-67), 2/20 at TCU (63-64)
Coach: Jim Littell
Why They Can Surprise:
The play of the frontcourt may not have had this team competing with the likes of Baylor for a Big 12 title, but there is a lot of big talent for Coach Littell to work with. Forwards Toni Young and Liz Donohoe are the best scorers on the team. Young is a double-double machine and one of the best interior scorers around. Her defensive prowess in the paint and her work on the glass has set up the Cowgirls to be extremely strong defensively and on the glass. Donohoe is not a post scorer like Young. The 6-0 sophomore is much more of an outside shooter and connects on nearly two three-pointers per game. Donohoe can also mix it up in the paint and is a solid rebounder as well. Centers Kendra Suttles and Lindsey Keller have split starting time this season. They both can stretch the defense with their outside shooting ability and that has opened up the offense for the more potent scorers on the roster.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Due to the rebounding of the frontcourt, not to mention guard Brittney Martin, and the turnovers created by Martin and Tiffany Bias, the Cowgirls often get more possessions than the opposition. Martin is a good slasher and Bias is a great playmaker who can finish around the basket, but the backcourt lacks depth and shooting threats from long range. Oklahoma State will want the ball in Bias’ hands when the shot clock is winding down, but that can lead to some forced three-pointers if she cannot create something for one of her teammates. Donohoe can do enough shooting for the Cowgirls, but not having a guard who can hit the long ball with consistency is a concern on those rare occasions when Oklahoma State cannot get the ball inside to Young or get the ball to an open Donohoe.
Probable Starters:
Tiffany Bias, Junior, Guard, 12.1 ppg, 6.7 apg, 2.3 spg
Brittney Martin, Freshman, Guard, 10.1 ppg, 2.7 apg, 6.3 rpg, 2.9 spg
Liz Donohoe, Sophomore, Forward, 15.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 apg
Toni Young, Senior, Forward, 15.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Kendra Suttles, Junior, Center, 9.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Kamri Anderson, Junior, Guard, 1.0 ppg, 1.2 apg
Lindsey Keller, Senior, Center, 6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.6 (12th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.2 (114, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.9 (12, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.7 (68, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.5 (199, 8)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.2 (38, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.1 (9, 2)
Rebound Margin: 8.0 (16, 3)
Assists Per Game: 16.3 (20, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.4 (42, 3)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 NIT First Round win over Central Arkansas
2012 NIT Second Round win over Wichita State
2012 NIT Third Round win over Missouri State
2012 NIT Quarterfinal win over Colorado
2012 NIT Semifinal win over San Diego
2012 NIT Championship win over James Madison
2011 NIT Round of 64 win over Pepperdine
2011 NIT Round of 32 loss to Wyoming
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Chattanooga
2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Georgia
2009 NIT First Round win over Texas-Arlington
2009 NIT Second Round loss to Arkansas
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over East Tennessee State
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Florida State
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to LSU
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Bowling Green
*all team stats through 3/7
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
