First 2018 Bracketology has Cowboys on Outside Looking in

The 2017 college basketball season just wrapped last night with the refs North Carolina beating Gonzaga 71-65. While we haven’t even had 24 hours since the season officially ended, that’s not keeping fans and media from looking ahead to next season.

Fox Sports already released their way-too-early Top 25 for next season. More importantly, ESPN’s bracket-guru Joe Lunardi released his WAY-too-early 2018 bracket earlier today.

For Cowboys hoping for some good news... sorry. Right now, Lunardi has Oklahoma State as one of the “Last Four Out”, joining Maryland, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech.

It has been a tumultuous offseason for Oklahoma State with the exit of He Who Shall Not Be Named and the unexpected hiring of Mike Boynton.

With the head coaching change, the graduation of Phil Forte and Leyton Hammonds, and (likely) exit of First Team All-Big 12 point guard Jawun Evans, it’s not surprising that the Cowboys are on the outside looking in right now. There are plenty of questions heading into next season including who will run the point, and can Boyntin lead a team?

Don’t be too disheartened Cowboy fans, the team was not projected as a tournament participant at the start of last season either. Despite a first-round exit, and 6-game losing streak, OSU did make it into the Big Dance.

Also, if it makes you feel better, Illinois isn’t even on the “Next Four Out” list. So there’s that.

Go ahead and check out the full bracketology, and remember, it’s April. There’s a long time until next March.