Cade Cunningham and Isaac Likekele Out Against West Virginia

Oklahoma State will be without its star freshman as the Pokes are set to take the court against West Virginia.

Cowboy Radio play-by-play voice Dave Hunziker reported Saturday morning Mike Boynton told the radio crew Cade Cunningham would be out for the game against the Mountaineers after suffering an ankle sprain in the game against Baylor on Thursday.

The Pokes will also be without point guard Isaac Likekele. Likekele, who’s played only one game since Feb. 8, has been sidelined since injuring his hand in practice ahead of the Bedlam game in Norman.

He’s averaging just 9.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this season as he dealt with a nagging foot injury for the month leading up to injuring his hand in practice.

Boynton also told Hunziker Cunningham’s injury wasn’t severe. So, allowing Cunningham the week to heal and avoid causing a nagging injury is a smart move by the Cowboy coaching staff as the Cowboys won’t have to try and beat the Mountaineers to avoid a play-in game to the Big 12 tournament. The Cowboys are also locked into the NCAA tournament should the NCAA decide not to rule on the appeal between now and the beginning of the tournament.

“I’m always first and foremost worried about [Cade Cunningham’s] future," Boynton said Thursday following the Baylor loss. "As much as winning and representing is, my commitment to these kids is always first. I want to make sure he’s okay. If he’s okay he’ll continue to work with us, if it’s anything more serious than it feels like it is right now then we’ll plan and evaluate how we feel moving forward.”

Cunningham currently leads the Big 12 in scoring with 19.7 points per game while averaging 6.3 rebounds per game.