Oklahoma State is headed to Tulsa. The Cowboys’ Dec. 20 matchup against Northwestern will be played at the BOK Center, adding another Power Four test away from Gallagher-Iba Arena as Steve Lutz continues building an intriguing non-conference schedule.
Another piece of Oklahoma State's basketball schedule is officially in place and this one will take the Cowboys to Tulsa.
Oklahoma State's Dec. 20 matchup against Northwestern will be played at the BOK Center, giving Steve Lutz's team another opportunity away from Gallagher-Iba Arena before Big 12 play arrives.
For OSU fans, it also creates a relatively easy neutral-site opportunity to watch the Cowboys against a Big Ten opponent.
The schedule continues to get more interesting.
Cowboys Head to Tulsa
Oklahoma State and Northwestern were already set to meet this season. Now we know where.
Instead of Stillwater or Evanston, the Cowboys and Wildcats will meet at the BOK Center on Dec. 20.
That should provide Oklahoma State with a different type of environment than a normal non-conference home game. Technically neutral, but Tulsa is Cowboy country, too.
Stillwater sits roughly an hour away, giving OSU fans every opportunity to turn the BOK Center into something resembling a home environment. Part of what makes the location appealing.
Another Big Event for the BOK Center
The Oklahoma State-Northwestern matchup also joins a busy stretch of events coming to one of Oklahoma's premier arenas.
The BOK Center's upcoming calendar includes an Oklahoma City Thunder preseason game, an Oklahoma men's basketball matchup, Journey's final tour and a performance from Ella Langley.
Now Oklahoma State basketball joins that list. That's a nice stage for the Cowboys.
The BOK Center isn't simply filling an open date with college basketball.
It's continuing to bring major sports and entertainment events through Tulsa, and Oklahoma State gets to be part of that calendar.
Lutz Keeps Getting OSU Out of Stillwater
This is another theme developing with Oklahoma State's schedule.
The Cowboys aren't going to spend the entire nonconference slate comfortably inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
We already know they'll travel to Wisconsin for an exhibition.
They're headed to the Charleston Classic.
Now Northwestern awaits at the BOK Center.
Those experiences matter.
If Oklahoma State expects to compete for an NCAA Tournament berth, the Cowboys eventually need to prove they can perform outside their home building.
December against Northwestern gives them another opportunity.
It's a Big Ten Opponent
The location is interesting. The opponent makes it worthwhile.
Northwestern gives Oklahoma State another Power Four matchup before conference play. That's exactly what you want in December.
By that point, Lutz should have a much better understanding of his roster than he will during the October exhibitions.
Rotations should be established. Roles should be clearer.
The Cowboys should know what they do well—and what still needs work then they get a Big Ten opponent on a neutral floor to find out where they stand.
Tulsa Makes Sense for Oklahoma State
There's also a bigger-picture benefit to playing this game in Tulsa. Oklahoma State should have a presence there.
It's one of the state's largest population centers and close enough to Stillwater that plenty of Cowboy fans live in or around the area.
Taking the program there creates another opportunity to engage fans who might not regularly make the trip to Gallagher-Iba Arena.
And if OSU supporters show up? Do it again.
Neutral-site games are much more valuable when the location actually makes sense for the fanbase. Tulsa certainly does.
The Schedule Is Starting to Tell Us Something
The more we learn about Oklahoma State's schedule, the clearer Lutz's philosophy becomes.
He wants tests. New Mexico and Tulsa come to Stillwater for exhibitions. Traveling to Wisconsin.
They'll compete in a multi-team event at the Charleston Classic.
Now they're getting Northwestern at the BOK Center.
That's variety. Different opponents. Different environments. Different challenges.
All of it should prepare Oklahoma State for what awaits once Big 12 play begins.
December 20 Could Be a Fun One
There's another simple reason to like this. It's a Sunday in December. Students will be around the holiday break.
Tulsa gives fans from across Oklahoma another opportunity to see the Cowboys without necessarily making the trip to Stillwater.
Put a good crowd inside the BOK Center and suddenly a neutral-site nonconference game can have a little extra juice.
If Oklahoma State enters Dec. 20 playing well? This could become a meaningful résumé opportunity right before the calendar flips toward conference play.
Final Thoughts
Steve Lutz's 2026-27 schedule continues to come together. Oklahoma State continues to put itself in interesting situations.
The Cowboys aren't just loading up on home games and waiting for Big 12 play.
They're traveling. They're playing quality opponents. They're getting neutral-site opportunities.
Now they're taking Oklahoma State basketball to one of the biggest venues in the state.
Oklahoma State. Northwestern. Dec. 20. BOK Center.
Add another date to what is becoming a pretty intriguing Cowboys basketball schedule.
