All eyes on Marcus Smart as Oklahoma State enters season with high expectations

Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart (33) shoots in front of Campbellsville forward A'Darius Pegues in the first half of an NCAA college exhibition basketball game in Stillwater, Okla., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, OCT 26-27 - FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2013, file photo, Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart (33) dribbles upcourt during an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in Stillwater, Okla. Sometimes a man just feels he has something left to prove. The reasoning was about that simple when Creighton's Doug McDermott and Smart announced they would pass on the NBA draft and return to school (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) (The Associated Press)

STILLWATER, Okla. – Marcus Smart likely would have been a high pick in last spring's NBA draft, but after a protracted decision-making process, the point guard opted to return to Oklahoma State for his sophomore year.

The team's leading scorer, Smart believes Oklahoma State, after going 24-9 (13-5 Big 12) but falling as a No. 5 seed in the first round of the NCAA tournament to 12th-seeded Oregon, has some unfinished business.

The Cowboys, considered one of the Big 12 favorites, are more than just a one-man team, though. Senior Markell Brown, who averaged 15.3 points and 4.4 rebounds, and junior Le'Bryan Nash, who averaged 14 points and 4.1 rebounds, both return, along with several other key role players.