Oklahoma State basketball: Defense best defines Brian Williams — for now

And for now, that will do quite well.

Williams isn't filling the starting role expected before fracturing his wrist in the preseason.

But he is filling a need and a role, suddenly looking an X Factor for the No. 15 Cowboys as they head toward the postseason.

“Yeah, I consider myself that,” Williams said of the X Factor tag. “I just try to come off the bench whenever coach feels he needs me in the game and try to make plays.”

And Travis Ford is feeling the need more and more, with Williams now averaging 15.3 minutes since his return nine games ago.

“Love Brian Williams,” Ford said. “I'm itching to get him in the game usually, because I know he's going to get a steal, deflection. And he can guard anybody. He can. He can guard anybody on the court.

“And he does it with great energy. And more importantly, he wants to. He loves that role.”

It's a role Williams has fully embraced, after the initial word was that he'd miss the entire season after tearing up his left wrist while trying to brace a crash to the court following a dunk in October.

And it's an added layer to an already talented Oklahoma State team that features four double-digit scorers and one of the nation's top statistical defenses.

“Having a guy off the bench who can play like a starter, that's great,” said teammate Le'Bryan Nash.

And Williams has made an impact in a variety of ways. Six points in eight minutes of an overtime win over Baylor. Six points and a steal in a road win at Texas. Thirteen points and six rebounds in a road win at West Virginia, stepping into the void created when Marcus Smart was saddled with early foul trouble. Nine points on 4-of-7 shooting in Saturday's win over Texas, pushing OSU to 22-6 overall, 12-4 in the Big 12.