Originally published at: ‘Not Enough to Make the NCAA Tournament’: Steve Lutz Is Aiming High This Season
STILLWATER — Steve Lutz is changing his tune this summer. Although the Cowboys have yet to crack the NCAA Tournament field under his leadership, the Oklahoma State coach made it clear to the 2026-27 squad that his expectations will be even higher in his third season in Stillwater. “I told them ‘it’s not enough to make the NCAA tournament,’” Lutz said. “I think we have enough talent in the room to win, and you know that’s kind of sticking your neck out and going out on a limb for a guy that won six games in the Big 12 last year, where I think we need to be fighting hopefully for a conference title, or at least be in the top, you know, 4,5, 6, in the league. Because that guarantees you that you’re probably a top 20 to 40 team in the country, and you give yourself an opportunity to win (and get) in the NCAA tournament and win some games.” Getting into the field should be easier than ever this season, considering eight additional teams will make the field this time around, following expansion from 68 to 76 teams, which will pit six at-large teams versus other at-large…
Well, I hope for his sake that the team can accomplish this.
It’s the new landscape in college sports. Money talks. I don’t think Lutz (or Boynton before him) had a fair hand dealt to them and thus fair expectations. Now, hopefully, we have what it takes. I’ve been posting here that retention is a big part of it and I’m hoping the new kids stick around after next year. Money will help make that happen. (I just threw up in the back of my mouth a little.)
I’m so glad Kanye is coming back. He was one of my favorite players last year. He will be a really solid point guard for us.
I know I’m cheeseballing here, but man it felt good read that quote from Kanye. That’s something these kids will miss in this era: a university they can really call home after they’re done with the game.
Covering this for a living, I have a much different relationship to how I think about players, but the constant churn really messes with how much I get into all the sports.
Summer convos about which teams will do what next year used to be so fun. Now its hard to keep up with one school much less know how the rest of the conference looks during the middle of June.
So I too thought the Kanye quote was pretty cool.