ESPN'S Charlie Creme Has Oklahoma State in the NCAA Tournament. I Think They're Seeded Too Low.

ESPN's first way too early women's Bracketology by Charlie Creme confirms something I've believed throughout the offseason.

Oklahoma State belongs comfortably in the NCAA Tournament.

Where I disagree is the seed.

Creme projects the Cowgirls as a No. 6 seed, matched up with 11-seed South Dakota State in the opening round before a potential second-round meeting with No. 3 seed Vanderbilt.

I think Oklahoma State is better than that.

In fact, I believe the Cowgirls have the talent to play their way into a top-four seed and host NCAA Tournament games.

That's the expectation I'd set entering the season.

Jacie Hoyt didn't simply add talent this offseason.

She transformed the roster.

Oklahoma State landed what many considered the nation's No. 1 transfer portal class and  No.1 portal get in Audi Crooks, adding proven production across multiple positions while building on a team that already reached the NCAA Tournament.

That's not the profile of a team fighting just to stay inside the bracket.

That's the profile of a team capable of climbing near the top of it.

Hosting matters.

The NCAA's top four seeds get the opportunity to play the opening weekend on their home floor.

That's a massive advantage.

I don't think Oklahoma State is far away from earning it.

Interestingly, I actually agree with another part of ESPN's projection.

South Dakota State would be a difficult first-round opponent.

Anyone who follows women's basketball knows the Jackrabbits are one of the nation's most consistently successful mid-major programs.

That matchup wouldn't be easy.

Jacie Hoyt also knows exactly what South Dakota State brings.

Before arriving in Stillwater, she spent five seasons at UMKC in the Summit League, where South Dakota State has long been the conference standard.

There wouldn't be many surprises if those programs met in March.

The Big 12 picture also caught my attention.

ESPN projects TCU as the conference's highest seed at No. 4, while Oklahoma State checks in at No. 6.

Meanwhile, Baylor, West Virginia and Colorado are seeded behind the Cowgirls, with Kansas and BYU sitting much closer to the bubble.

That feels about right.

Where I disagree is the gap between TCU and Oklahoma State.

I honestly believe those two programs are on a collision course.

Would it surprise me if they met in the Big 12 Championship Game?

Not at all.

In fact, that's exactly what I expect.

If that happens, I think the winner won't simply earn a conference title.

I think they'll earn the right to host during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

That's why a No. 6 seed feels conservative.

It's not that Oklahoma State doesn't belong in the field.

It's that I think this roster is capable of much more.

The transfer portal additions.

The returning talent.

The continuity under Hoyt.

Everything points toward a team ready to take another step.

There's still an entire season left to prove it.

Way-too-early Bracketology is exactly that—way too early.

If we're making projections in July, here's mine:

Oklahoma State won't spend Selection Sunday wondering if it's in the field.

It'll be wondering whether it did enough to host.