Transfers with March Madness experience describe what Cowboys need to secure spot

STILLWATER First-year Cowboy Davonte Davis knows something about playing basketball deep into March.

After all, the Arkansas transfer helped the Razorbacks secure two Elite Eight appearances and a third trip to the Sweet Sixteen in the last four seasons.

In the process Davis averaged 31 minutes across all 11 games.

The lone time Davis didnt make the bracket was last season, and he didnt hesitate what the other groups had that was missing during his last season with the Razorbacks.

Team chemistry is really the key, Davis said.

Just being close with the guys, and I think weve really done a good job with that.

And Im not talking about on the court.

Im talking about off the court.

It's really huge.

I think we as a collective really have done that, and we continue to get closer and closer off the court, and that contributes on the court.

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1, Texas slips to third Price Tower auction postponed at request of Bartlesville landmark's owner Davis said that chemistry is part having the right mix of guys and part created when the team can communicate, observe and understand each other.

Oklahoma State hasnt made the bracket since 2021, but six Cowboys have March Madness experience, and a seventh played for a team that made the bracket.

Davis leads the roster when it comes to minutes (345), points (132), rebounds (56), assists (17), steals (11) and blocks (two) in the NCAA Tournament.

Lutz said convincing a team filled with new players to buy into certain roles would be crucial to developing Oklahoma States chemistry.

Every one of them probably thought, you know, especially the older guys, they thought that they were going to come in and they were going to be All-Big 12, Lutz said.

And they were going to add, or average, you know, a double-double.

And then, heck, we're going to go to the NBA.

Thats just the way they think.

So now youve got to almost recalibrate them or get them to see your side.

My side is to be the best team.

Speaking of the team, excluding Davis, only Western Kentucky transfer Brandon Newman knows what it's like to make the bracket more than once.

Between four years at Purdue and last seasons trip with Western Kentucky, Newman saw the court five times in four postseason runs.

I think it just starts with showing up every day, Newman said.

Even when you dont feel like it.

Just playing hard, putting the team first.

...

Weve got a new coach that hasnt been a head coach at the high-major level yet, but hes got a good track record, good history behind him, so Im going to fall in line behind him.

Lutz led his only three previous teams, including Western Kentucky last season, to the NCAA Tournament after winning the conference tournament each time.

The Oklahoma State coach said having proven winners on the team was important.

Your margin for error in athletics, especially in the Big 12, I mean the best basketball conference in the country, your margin for error is going to be very, very thin, Lutz said.

So guys that have proven they can win and have proven to be winners.

Obviously, they make you feel better about your chances of winning.

Both Lutz and Newman agreed that Oklahoma State has everything it needs on the roster right now to put together a special season.

The Cowboys head coach said the team talked about putting the team first during the first team meeting over the summer.

They also discussed winning the Big 12 and competing in the NCAA Tournament.

I've won with him (Lutz) before and I know what winning kind of looks like, Newman said.

I think we're making the right steps towards being a basketball team that can win and get back to the tournament.

Obviously, we still got a little bit of ways to go.

It's October, we havent played anybody.

...

But I think the culture that we're trying to build here points in that direction..

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