Oklahoma State opens 2026-27 as the Big 12’s preseason favorite for the first time, with a revamped roster built to turn rising expectations into a breakthrough season. After a 24-win campaign and its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2021, the Cowgirls add standout transfers Audi Crooks and Liv McGill around veteran leader Stailee Heard.

By the Numbers
  • OSU went 24-10 last season and nearly half of its regular-season games this year are against teams that reached the previous NCAA Tournament.
  • The roster features 11 newcomers: nine transfers and two freshmen.
  • Crooks averaged 25.8 points and shot 64.9% from the field last season; McGill averaged 6.3 assists per game, ninth nationally.
  • The Cowgirls have 12 nationally televised games, including a program-first trip to face South Carolina on ABC.
Yes, But

Preseason expectations are high, but the roster has undergone a major overhaul, with Heard the only returning player who made a start last season. A demanding nonconference schedule and a strong Big 12 will test how quickly the newcomers build chemistry.

State of Play
  • Heard brings continuity after three seasons of double-digit scoring and enters the year with 95 career starts.
  • Crooks provides an elite scoring presence inside, while McGill adds proven playmaking at point guard.
  • OSU’s recruiting haul also includes experienced transfers and a Division II scoring leader, giving coach Jacie Hoyt a deep, versatile group.
What’s Next

The Cowgirls will face an early measure of their potential against top competition, including South Carolina, before navigating a Big 12 slate designed to leave them ready for March.

Bottom Line

OSU has the talent and visibility to pursue a historic season; its biggest challenge is turning a roster of high-impact newcomers into a cohesive team under the weight of favorite status.