Oklahoma State basketball: Michael Cobbins starting to regain form

And one not so obvious: forward Michael Cobbins.

Since returning from a broken toe that cost him the first month of the season, Cobbins seems to be finally regaining the form that revealed him as one of the team's most promising young players late last season.

“I'm feeling like I'm getting back into the rhythm of everything,” he said. “Everything's going smoothly, jelling back in with the team and everything.”

Expanding the team's cast of reliable parts, too.

And that's an aspect that could propel the Cowboys over the hump, flipping what has been a team of promise to a team of prominence.

Another checkpoint comes Wednesday night, with Baylor visiting Gallagher-Iba Arena as the last squad to beat the Cowboys, four games ago in Waco. Tip time is 6 p.m.

“To this point, and I hope (Cobbins) continues it,” said OSU coach Travis Ford, “because there's no better time than against Baylor — they're so big and physical and hurt us a lot last time down inside — I think he's been our most consistent player, period, over our last six games or so.”

During that six-game stretch, which includes his first five starts of the season, Cobbins has averaged 8.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots per game, while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor. As his playing time has gradually increased, so has his production.

“I think it has a lot to do with confidence and comfort,” said Cobbins, who no longer needs a protective shield in his shoe. “There's no pain in there, so I'm not really worried about that. I feel like the comfort of being able to go out and move on the court is a major factor.”

Along with the confidence, Cobbins' midrange jump shot has also returned, giving the athletic and active big man an added weapon for not only scoring, but also changing the way opponents guard him — and the Cowboys.