In what was supposed to be a routine preseason exhibition, Oklahoma State sent an early message that it might be a team worth watching this season.
The Cowboys knocked off powerhouse Auburn 97–95 in overtime, using a balanced offensive attack and gritty defensive effort to take down one of college basketball’s elite programs. Despite the “exhibition” label, the victory feels anything but meaningless for a team trying to rebuild momentum under second-year head coach Steve Lutz.
A Win That Means More Than It Might Seem
Sure, it won’t count in the official win-loss column, but Oklahoma State’s performance against an Auburn team that reached last year’s Final Four and finished the 2024–25 season with a 32–6 record is no small feat.