Looking ahead to the upcoming campaign, early Big 12 preseason standings typically slot the Cowgirls between fourth and seventh place. The conference's expanded footprint makes every road trip taxing, from high-elevation stops in Utah and Colorado to traditional trips into Texas. Escaping that middle pack requires turning competitive second halves into signature top-25 wins.
Defensive consistency remains the tipping point. Hoyt’s offenses consistently post effective field goal percentages above 51%, but her teams have allowed opponents to shoot over 41% from the field during league play. If the latest transfer additions shore up the paint without slowing down their offensive pace, Oklahoma State has the talent to push for a top-four conference seed and host early-round NCAA tournament games in Stillwater.
