We’re still a week away from Oklahoma State taking part in their 2019 neutral-site non-conference tournament, the NIT Season Tip-Off in Brooklyn, New York.
But now we know where OSU will be headed for their non-conference tournament next season; the Charleston Classic from Nov. 19-20 and 22 in Charleston, South Carolina.
OSU is part of an eight-team field that includes Charleston, Florida State, Houston, Penn State, Seton Hall, Tennessee and VCU.
The Cowboys will be making their first appearance in the Charleston Classic since 2015, when they went 2-1 in the tournament.
OSU will potentially face some familiar foes in South Carolina:
- OSU has faced Charleston the past two seasons, winning 70-58 in Stillwater in 2018 and 73-54 at Charleston last week. Charleston was also a participant in the Advocare Invitational last season, though the two teams did not face off.
- The Cowboys knocked off Florida State 71-70 in the Orange Bowl Classic two seasons ago. Both teams participated in the Advocare Invitational in 2018, but did not play each other.
- OSU and Houston will wrap up a home-and-home series Dec. 15 in Houston. The Cowboys lost to Houston 63-53 last year in Stillwater.
- The Cowboys and Penn State are on opposite sides of the bracket in the NIT Tip-Off next week, and could potentially face each other in the second game.
The number of familiar teams doesn’t bother me that much. It’s interesting that OSU seems to keep ending up seeing these teams. Also, I find it unlikely OSU doesn’t face at least one of the four mentioned above in the tournament next year.
It’s a nice start to what I expect to be another solid non-conference slate for OSU in 2020. Cowboys coach Mike Boynton has shown a willingness to schedule up and with signees Cade Cunningham and Rondel Walker part of the roster next season, I’m sure there will be an even stronger desire to challenge the team with some difficult and exciting match-ups.