Why St. Mary's Is The Perfect Non-Conference Test For Oklahoma State

Steve Lutz and Oklahoma State finally have their first known non-conference opponent, and it's a good one.

The Cowboys will host St. Mary's in Gallagher-Iba Arena, giving fans an early measuring stick for a team hoping to end a five-year NCAA Tournament drought.

And honestly, this is exactly the kind of game Oklahoma State should be scheduling.

On paper, St. Mary's may not have the name recognition of a Duke or Kentucky, but college basketball fans know just how difficult the Gaels are to prepare for. The program has reached five straight NCAA Tournaments and has consistently challenged Gonzaga for supremacy in the West Coast Conference. With the Bulldogs leaving the WCC, St. Mary's is positioned to become the conference's flagship program.

Simply put, the Cowboys are getting a proven winner.

That's exactly what Steve Lutz wants his team to become.

The matchup is also fascinating because of another connection.

Longtime St. Mary's head coach Randy Bennett is now at Arizona State, meaning Oklahoma State will see his style every season in Big 12 play. While Bennett himself is no longer on the sidelines in Moraga, the culture, principles and style that made St. Mary's one of the nation's most respected programs remain.

In some ways, the Cowboys could be getting an early look at the type of basketball they'll have to deal with when they face the Sun Devils.

And stylistically, St. Mary's presents a challenge unlike most Big 12 opponents.

The conference is known for high-scoring games and explosive offenses.

The Gaels are different.

They play with toughness, discipline and patience. They defend at a high level and make opponents uncomfortable in the half court. Those traits have helped turn St. Mary's into one of the most consistent programs in America.

It's also interesting when you think about what Lutz recently revealed to HoopsHQ about using the Profile behavioral assessment system to build this roster around teamwork and winning habits.

In many ways, St. Mary's has been doing that for years.

They don't rely on five-star recruits.

They rely on culture.

The same thing Lutz hopes to establish in Stillwater.

If Oklahoma State wants to return to the NCAA Tournament, games like this are exactly what should be on the schedule.

Because if you're trying to become an NCAA Tournament team, you schedule NCAA Tournament teams.

And come November, Gallagher-Iba Arena will get an early opportunity to see just how close the Cowboys are to becoming one themselves.