It’s only July.
There is almost an entire year to go before the first NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed in March of 2027.
One thing though stood out when ESPN ‘s Joe Lunardi released its latest way-too-early Bracketology.
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Oklahoma State is in the field.
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ESPN projects the Cowboys as the last at-large team into the expanded 76-team NCAA Tournament, a dramatic shift for a program entering just its second season under Steve Lutz.
I agree.
Not because I think Oklahoma State is barely an NCAA Tournament team.
Because I think this roster deserves to be in the conversation.
A year ago, simply making March Madness would’ve sounded ambitious.
Now?
The expectation should be competing for it.
That’s a credit to what Lutz has built in a short amount of time.
The Cowboys attacked the transfer portal again this offseason, added size they lacked a year ago and retained one of the conference’s best scorers.
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The roster simply looks more complete.
ESPN’s projection also reflects just how competitive the Big 12 should be.
Arizona State joins Oklahoma State among the last teams projected into the field, while Cincinnati and West Virginia sit just outside the bracket in the “Next Four Out.” That means nearly every conference game will carry NCAA Tournament implications.
Another interesting note?
Texas A&M, one of Oklahoma State’s marquee non-conference opponents, is projected as one of the Last Four Byes, meaning the Aggies would avoid the new Opening Round despite sitting near the bubble.
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That makes the non-conference schedule even more important.
Those games won’t just shape Oklahoma State’s résumé.
They could separate the Cowboys from other Big 12 bubble teams in March.
Some fans might look at “last team in” and see it as faint praise.
I don’t.
I see progress.
This is a program that has quickly changed the national perception under Lutz.
The Cowboys are no longer being discussed as a rebuilding team.
They’re being discussed as an NCAA Tournament team.
That’s a significant difference.
Will Oklahoma State actually be the final team in the bracket?
Probably not.
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These projections almost always change throughout the season.
The important takeaway isn’t the exact seed.
It’s that national analysts believe Oklahoma State has assembled a roster capable of dancing in March.
I think that’s the right evaluation.
The Cowboys have enough talent to make the NCAA Tournament.
Now the challenge becomes proving they belong there.
If they do, I wouldn’t be surprised if they finish well above the “last team in” line by Selection Sunday.
For Oklahoma State, the expectation shouldn’t be surviving the bubble.
It should be leaving it behind.
