Bedlam is returning to Oklahoma City as Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are set to meet Dec. 12 at Paycom Center. The matchup gives Steve Lutz's second Cowboys team an early opportunity to measure its progress and end a four-game losing streak against the Sooners.
Would winning Bedlam go a long way in believing Lutz can turn things around at OSU?
Bedlam is headed back to Oklahoma City.
According to Field of 68 bracketologist and scheduling insider Rocco Miller, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are expected to renew their rivalry on Dec. 12 at Paycom Center. The last time the two programs met in Oklahoma City, the Sooners earned an 86-75 victory in 2025.
This year's matchup, however, could look much different.
Oklahoma State enters Steve Lutz's second season with increased expectations after an aggressive offseason and a roster that appears better equipped to compete in the Big 12. Earlier this summer, Lutz challenged his team with a bold goal: make a run in the NCAA Tournament and compete for a Big 12 championship.
A win over Oklahoma would not accomplish either objective on its own, but it would provide an early measuring stick and help generate even more confidence around the program.
The Cowboys have lost four consecutive meetings to the Sooners, making this year's matchup an opportunity to not only earn bragging rights but also show tangible progress under Lutz.
Oklahoma State returns key contributors, including guard Kanye Clary, who averaged 10 points and five assists per game last season. Clary also played well against Oklahoma in the previous meeting, scoring a team-high 18 points.
The Cowboys also added former UCF standout Jordan Burks through the transfer portal. Burks brings proven Big 12 experience and should help offset some of the perimeter scoring lost with the departures of Anthony Roy and Parsa Fallah.
If Oklahoma State is going to end its losing streak against the Sooners, defense will likely be the deciding factor.
Lutz built his reputation as a defensive-minded coach, dating back to his time on Matt Painter's staff at Purdue. The Cowboys have added length and size throughout the roster, and players such as Ben Ahmed and Mekhi Ragland will be counted on to continue their development. Their ability to impact the game on the glass and protect the paint could be critical against a Porter Moser offense that traditionally features skilled and experienced guards.
Offensively, Oklahoma State will continue to rely on the up-tempo style that became a trademark during Lutz's first season. The Cowboys want to push the pace, create transition opportunities, and attack early in the shot clock. With Clary running the offense and Burks adding another scoring threat, Oklahoma State has the potential to be far more explosive than it was a year ago.
The remainder of the non-conference schedule has yet to be released, but Bedlam already gives Cowboys fans a game to circle on the calendar.
And if Oklahoma State hopes to take the next step under Lutz, there may be no better place to start than by ending a four-game losing streak against its biggest rival.
