OSU-Washington State: Five Keys
Marshall Moses would love nothing more than a return to Gallagher-Iba Arena for another Senior sendoff.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Oh, boy, another road challenge for the Cowboys.
And way out west, at Washington State, reminding of OSU’s botched trip to Gonzaga earlier this season, a hint of what the Cowboys would become in enemy gyms.
Bad.
This time, however, there are definite carrots dangling out in front.
* A return home to Gallagher-Iba Arena to play Northwestern; not to mention one final fling for OSU’s seniors – Marshall Moses, Matt Pilgrim and Nick Sidorakis – who would relish another Senior Night.
* Extending their NIT run, with that game against Northwestern for a spot in the NIT Final Four in Madison Square Garden. As Matt Pilgrim pointed out, it’s for a ring!
Cowboys coach Travis Ford has wanted this chance, despite OSU’s rocky road record. And he’s not backing off now.
“I think it all goes back to wanting to win, period,” Ford said. “But road games, I’ve always told my teams, are the greatest challenges in all sports. Trying to go onto somebody else’s field or court or whatever it may be is the greatest challenge.
“Any time you go try and win one on the road is rewarding. Obviously, we haven’t done that too well this year.”
Maybe tonight. Late tonight.
If you hoped for a move to the Pac-10 when all that conference flirting was going on, this is a taste of what you’d have for basketball.
Long-distance travel and games past your bedtime, let alone your kid’s bedtime.
How do you like it now?
Can the Cowboys win tonight? Sure.
If they can solve the road.
Five Keys:
1. Road Rage. We’ve discussed this for months now – and again above – but the Cowboys are just a different club on the road. Just look at the Bedlam game in Norman. Maybe they gained something from back-to-back good games in the Big 12 Tournament, on a neutral floor, mind you, although Sprint Center sure looked like Allen Field House East. WSU had just 4,213 in the stands for its opening NIT win over Long Beach State, but expects many more with students back on campus from spring break. If OSU can manage what figures to be a pretty rowdy environment, it’s got a chance.
2. Come Together. Doesn’t it seem like this reduced roster has produced better chemistry? Maybe tightening things up has brought the Cowboys together. But there have been times in the last few weeks when OSU actually looked like decent team. Matt Pilgrim is playing with more passion, and producing. Reger Dowell adds an explosive element at the point. Those wild cards, combined with Keiton Page, Marshall Moses, Jéan-Paul Olukemi, Markel Brown and Nick Sidorakis have given the Cowboys a glossier new look late.
3. Mold Klay. Washington State guard Klay Thompson is the Pac-10’s leading scorer, a legitimate threat who can dominate a game. Who handles him? The Cowboys don’t have anything resembling a lockdown defender, but have had some luck with Brown and Olukemi on athletic guys Thompson’s size. The challenge will be in forcing Thompson into shots he doesn’t want to take.
4. Rely on Reger. The Reger Dowell experiment continues, mostly to positive results. And Dowell is one Cowboy who hasn’t been overwhelmed on the road so far. If he can keep the offense moving, while providing a take-it-to-the-rim threat, everything will run more smoothly. If Page has to handle the point for an extended time, the offense suffers.
5. Get Home. That should read, get home with a purpose. Suddenly, the Cowboys carry a realistic shot of making it to Madison Square Garden. Northwestern’s upset of No. 1-seed Boston College allowed for a quarterfinal home game at Gallagher-Iba Arena – if OSU wins tonight. And at home, inside GIA, the Cowboys would be favored. And let’s not forget, they’ve done well against the so-called “smart” schools this season, already owning wins over Stanford and Harvard. Why not Northwestern, too?
Bedlam: Five Keys
Nick Sidorakis is relishing his final Bedlam shootout.
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Wrote in the paper today about how the Bedlam rosters are featuring fewer and fewer Oklahomans these days.
But for the Okies involved – notably Keiton Page and Nick Sidorakis for OSU and Cade Davis and Tyler Neal for the Sooners – there’s another side to the story.
The passion state players have for Bedlam.
“You can read into it what you want,” Sidorakis said of the lack of Okie influence, “but I know for me, Keiton and Cade, growing up here we know what the series is about.”
And for those who don’t, Sidorakis is happy to inform.
Before the first meeting, a Cowboys win in Stillwater, the Jenks product played historian for a large group young OSU players who’d be making their Bedlam debut.
“We had a meeting and I personally sat them down and told them, ‘This is, by far, one of the most important games, not only in the state, but to our university.’
“I’ve heard people say we can be winless in our season, then go beat OU, and it’s a good season. Fans have told me that. That’s how big a rivalry it is and how big a pride factor it is.
“So, for us Oklahoma kids, it’s a big deal.”
And for the senior Sidorakis, playing his final regular season game against the Sooners is special.
“It’s kind of weird that it’ll be my last conference game and we’re playing a bitter rival,” Sidorakis said. “But also, it’ll be fun. It’ll be a fun environment.
“To be honest, I can’t think of a better game to play my last conference game, other than against OU. So I’m looking forward to it.”
Crowds at Lloyd Noble Center have slipped this season. But Sidorakis is expecting more for Bedlam.
And hoping for more.
“It’d be fun,” he said. “I think Bedlam should always be a packed, fun environment. It’s fun when the other crowd is heckling you, especially when it’s OU. It gets me going a little bit. I hope it’s a packed house.”
The crowd could be key today, one way or the other, for the Cowboys.
The Five Keys:
1. Manage the Environment. It’s been a rough season for the Sooners, who limp into today’s Bedlam matchup on an eight-game losing streak. The slump has turned off and turned away OU fans, robbing the squad of any home-court advantage. Still, when Bedlam is involved, expect a crimson come-together. And the Cowboys should expect a rough crowd. How they handle it will be vital in claiming their first conference road win – or not.
2. Free Keiton. Page finally found his shooting stroke in Tuesday night’s win over Baylor, firing in three key 3-pointers in the second half. The Cowboys need his production. And they’ll need some perimeter offense today, with the Sooners likely to focus on Marshall Moses inside.
3. Deny Davis. OU’s Davis will be alone in the spotlight during the program’s Senior Day festivities. He’s been solid in the series and tried to will the Sooners to a win in Stillwater, sparking a big early lead. And you can bet he’ll be juiced to add a final feel-good moment to what has been a roller-coaster career.
4. Corral Clark. When the Cowboys and Sooners first met, OU freshman Cameron Clark was seemingly enjoying a breakout moment in his young career. But Jéan-Paul Olukemi put the clamps on him in Stillwater and Clark hasn’t been the same since. Still, Clark is as capable as any Sooner in taking over a game. Expect Olukemi to be out to prevent it, again.
5. Keep Breathing. As unlikely as it may seem, the Cowboys keep hovering near the NCAA Tournament bubble, if not on it. Win today and win again in the Big 12 Tournament and who knows?
OSU-Baylor: Five Keys
Nick Sidorakis is one of three seniors being honored before tonight's game against Baylor.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Senior Night in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
And while a detoured season – and detoured careers of the three: Marshall Moses, Matt Pilgrim and Nick Sidorakis – probably limits some of the fuzzy feel-goodness of the proceedings, there’s something to be said for each man’s journey.
* Moses nearly quit, yet stuck it out and became a captain and a hard-working force for the Cowboys, while playing out of position.
* Sidorakis never reached his potential, due to a series of nagging injuries at OSU, including a bad back that plagued him this season. But his value as a leader and stout character guy shouldn’t go overlooked.
* Pilgrim’s path revealed a series of ups and downs. Yet, just when it looked like he may drift out of sight quietly, he’s played his best – and his hardest – of late.
In advance of Senior Night, Moses (with help) has produced a video of his career highlights dating back to his prep days in Aiken, S.C. It’s really well done.
And dig the Michael Buble backdrop.
As for tonight’s main event, the clash with Baylor, the Cowboys continue their quest for some late-season momentum into, presumably, the NIT.
Five Keys:
1. Senior Sendoff. OK, so it hasn’t been the season everyone expected. But the guys going out have all been a part of good times at OSU. So give them a proper salute before getting up for Scott Drew and the Bears, which isn’t all that hard for Cowboys fans.
2. Man Up. Bottom line: this is a bad matchup for the Cowboys, especially with Darrell Williams no longer available. Going 6-11, 6-11, 6-10 across the front line, the Bears hold a major advantage in size. OSU’s only answer is to play big and play tough. And, at all costs, play smart. None of the silly fouls that regularly haunt the Pokes.
3. Welcome Back? After a brief disappearing act, Jéan-Paul Olukemi resurfaced in the nick of time Saturday, carrying the Cowboys to a win over Texas Tech that halted a crippling four-game losing streak. Olukemi didn’t do much the first time against the Bears in Waco, managing but four points on 1-of-7 shooting in 18 foul-plagued minutes. To help combat Baylor’s length, the Cowboys need the good Olukemi tonight.
4. Dunn Deal. Markel Brown did a solid job defending LaceDarius Dunn in the first meeting, with the players exchanging chatter throughout. Dunn did get 16 points, but that’s below his average of 20.2 ppg, and he was limited to nine shots from the floor.
5. Perk Up Page. The Cowboys have heaped a lot on the shoulders of Keiton Page this season, from minutes to scoring expectations and point-guard duties to leadership needs. And Travis Ford admitted Saturday that it’s likely taken a physical toll on Page. Ford said he’d be taking measures to give Page a break during practices the rest of the way. Some perimeter shooting success could go a long way in loosening up Baylor’s big interior and nobody is better equipped to do the shooting than Page.
OSU Hoops Recruiting Back On
Cowboys coach Travis Ford must get busy on the recruiting trail.
By John Helsley
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
The news that Travis Ford and Co. were cutting ties with Juco forward Karron Johnson came as no surprise. And it shouldn’t be regretted.
The Cowboys chased Johnson a long time and there was promise when he signed a letter of intent with OSU back in February. But Johnson couldn’t steer clear of a familiar trail of trouble that traced from school to school to school — five schools in all, in five years.
His season at Midland had barely begun when he had a run-in with Chaps head coach Ross Hodge, who booted Johnson from the team after just nine games. It was the same story a year ago, when clashed with coach Jeff Spoonhour at Moberly Area Community College in Missouri and was dismissed from the squad there.
Nobody doubts that Johnson is a rare talent, an NBA talent. But there’s no doubting his track record for trouble, either. Needing a focused direction going forward from this season of struggle, the Cowboys don’t need any distractions of this sort.
So the Cowboys are moving on. And moving out, now scrambling to find some new pieces for the 2011-12 season. And they’ve got their work cut out for them.
OSU will be lacking a proven presence in the post next year, especially if Darrell Williams doesn’t return from his legal issues. Marshall Moses and Matt Pilgrim are seniors. That leaves Roger Franklin and Jarred Shaw as experienced forwards. Mike Cobbins, a redshirting freshman, still draws raves from the coaching staff. But there’s a noticeable lack of muscle.
Trouble is, there’s little unsigned talent left in the prep ranks. And getting in late on what is available won’t be easy. Maybe the Cowboys can have some luck with some other Juco players.
Here are a few names to monitor as the Cowboys re-start their recruiting efforts:
PG Cezar Guerrero. A 5-11 prep point man in California, Guerrero is the best point guard still unsigned. A number of schools are involved and the Cowboys are late to the dance. But don’t count them out.
SG Tony Kimbro. A 6-4 prep shooter out of Louisville, Kimbro has been on the Cowboys’ radar for some time. The Cowboys need shooters, clearly.
PG Sam Grooms. At the Juco level, Grooms would likely be the top target — of several teams. The 6-1 guard, who plays for the nation’s No. 2 JC in Florida, is garnering interest from Florida, North Carolina and Kansas as well.
PG Anthony Hickey. The Cowboys are the most prominent program on the 5-10 point man out of Kentucky, but they may be aiming higher.
SF Anthony Norris. A lot of familiar names are in on this 6-7 forward from Houston, including Baylor, Oklahoma, Colorado and others.
SG Zeke Chapman. More like a combo guard at 6-2, Chapman may answer dual needs for the Cowboys.
SG Josh Richardson. An under-the-radar prospect from Edmond Santa Fe, the 6-5 Richardson is picking up some late interest.
PG Kevin Amayo. A 6-4 guard from New Jersey, Amayo would offer size the Cowboys currently lack at the position.
SG Ben Dillard. Another prep option out of Texas.
SF Ahmad Ibrahim. A 6-5 prep player out of Houston.
OSU-Texas A&M: Five Keys
The Cowboys could use a hot hand from Keiton Page tonight.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
The term must-win has been following the Cowboys around for what seems like months now.
Now in the final stretch run, with five games to play and OSU’s Big 12 record at 4-7, the Pokes play Texas A&M tonight at Gallagher-Iba Arena amid fleeting NCAA Tournament hopes.
Dare we say it?
“A must-win,” said Cowboys senior captain Nick Sidorakis. “We can’t lose this game. It’s a must-win game, hands down. I don’t know any other way to put it.”
And he’s right.
Only this time, it’s for real. Lose and the NCAA dream is gone, barring a magic upset of No. 1 Kansas in Lawrence Monday night.
So, how do the Cowboys beat A&M?
Five keys:
1. Ride The Wave. As bad as the Cowboy have been on the road in the Big 12 – 0-6 bad – they’ve been solid at home, owning wins over Kansas State and Missouri in a 10-1 run, with the only loss to Texas. The crowd should be good, with no excuses to get in the way. The weather is right. The time is right, considering the team’s plight. And it’s not a school night. So it’s time for the Cowboys to use their crowd to fuel a big win and stay alive in the hunt for an NCAA bid.
2. All Together Now. For whatever reason, OSU can’t get more than two or three players producing on any given night. And it’s driving Travis Ford crazy. Against A&M – and from here on – more Cowboys must step up. “I’m past the point of saying everybody’s got to bring their A game,” Ford said. “You’ve got to contribute. If you’re not scoring, bring something else. You better defend or do something else.”
3. Wild Card. Without Darrell Williams, the Cowboys are shorthanded inside. Marshall Moses can’t hold down the paint alone. That means Matt Pilgrim or Roger Franklin or Jarred Shaw needs to help out. And, yes, it’s a broken record. But it’s mandatory.
4.Find Walkup. When the Aggies beat OSU in College Station, Nathan Walkup went off for 16 points, mostly left unguarded from the perimeter. The Cowboys must locate Walkup and get a hand in his face.
5. Win. Somehow, someway – any way – the Cowboys must find a way to win. It’s that simple. Win ugly. Win late. Win in overtime if necessary. But win.
OSU at Nebraska: 5 Keys
Cowboys coach Travis Ford is looking to steal a Big 12 road win.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
OK, so the magic number for NCAA Tournament inclusion may have dropped to 8 in the Big 12, if the league gets the six bids it is projected to receive.
That’s good news for Oklahoma State, which is 4-5 and faces road trips to Texas and Kansas, as well as Nebraska (Today) and Oklahoma.
The bad news: the Cowboys haven’t won a league road game since February of last season. And any math adding up to 8 Big 12 wins requires a breakthrough in an enemy gym somewhere.
Could today be the day?
Five keys for the Cowboys at Nebraska:
1. Shoot Straight. Sounds simple, right? But it’s more complicated than that, as the Huskers will pack the lane, taking away OSU’s offensive strength, which is using Jéan-Paul Olukemi on drives and getting trash baskets from Marshall Moses and Matt Pilgrim. Keiton Page, Olukemi and Ray Penn will get some open looks. For a team that has been wildly inconsistent from the perimeter, the Cowboys will have to knock down some 3s.
2. Fill The Void. Just as Darrell Williams was coming off his best two games at OSU, and seeming to figure things out, the skilled forward was suspended amid sexual assault charges. Williams wasn’t a regular impact player, so it’s not like the Cowboys are without their go-to guy. But he was a starter at a position where OSU has lacked any consistency. That spins the focus to a familiar figure: Matt Pilgrim. A bit of an enigma, Pilgrim has played better of late and is capable of lessening the loss of Williams. Roger Franklin and Jarred Shaw factor in as well. And watch for Ford to utilize more of a four-guard look, too, with Olukemi filling an Obi Muonelo-type role.
3. Be Patient. The Huskers aren’t at all sexy, with a pedestrian offense. But they will get after teams on the defensive end, which is why they lead the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing just 59.1 points a game. For the Cowboys, the key will be showing patience with their offense, working the ball and working off screens and not firing up ill-advised shots.
4. Road Worriers. The Cowboys haven’t won on the road in the Big 12. The Huskers are 14-1 at home, with only a loss to Kansas appearing as a blip. So this looks like a tall task for the Cowboys seeking a breakthrough. Still, it’s not like the Huskers are world beaters inside the Devaney Center. Nebraska does own a nice home win over Texas A&M, but otherwise they’ve beaten Iowa State and Colorado and a bunch of nonconference lightweights.
5. Tit For Tat. The Huskers can defend, but so can the Cowboys. And Nebraska struggles to score, ranking 11th in the league in scoring. The Huskers don’t have anyone among the league’s top 20 scorers. That should assure that OSU is in this game to the end. Now, they have to find a way to win it.
Calling (out) Matt Pilgrim
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
With Darrell Williams suspended and facing multiple felony charges, it's time for Matt Pilgrim, pictured here dunking on Saturday vs. OU, to step up. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, The Oklahoman
Called out Matt Pilgrim in an OSU Insider a couple weeks ago.
Here we go again.
The news of sexual assault charges against Cowboys forward Darrell Williams quickly dampened all the good that came from last week’s bounce back efforts that featured wins over Missouri and Oklahoma.
OSU coach Travis Ford announced Monday that Williams “will not travel or play while the legal issues are addressed.” With this case slow to develop, it’s best to write off Williams for the rest of this season, just as he was starting to make an impact on the floor.
Back to Pilgrim, who now finds himself shouldering a heavier load, if not the Cowboys’ already flimsy NCAA Tournament chances. For a guy team insiders have said is often paralyzed on the court with “a fear of failure,” it will be interesting to see how he responds.
Oh, Pilgrim is capable. Late last season, as the Cowboys stormed down the stretch, Pilgrim played a key role, running and dunking and rebounding while showing off his crazy athleticism. But that impact play has mostly disappeared this season, although Pilgrim has better of late. Mostly, he’s played harder, which is half the battle with him.
If Pilgrim can raise his game for a late-season surge one more time, the Cowboys can remain relevant in the race for the Big 12’s final NCAA bids. He’ll need help from sophomores Roger Franklin and Jarred Shaw, thrust now into key backup roles, but it’s mostly up to Pilgrim to provide an added presence to Marshall Moses in the post.
The Pokes are already playing small much of the time. And while the move to speed up their pace of play has helped, they can’t survive and Moses can’t thrive going ultra small.
Last week’s 2-0 performance breathed much-needed life into the Cowboys, getting them to 4-5 in a Big 12 that features nine teams at .500 or lower. A minimum of three NCAA bids are up for grabs, with the Cowboys still within reach.
They just better hope that Monday’s events didn’t choke off those hopes.
OSU-Tech: Five Keys
The Cowboys need to get Ray Penn going.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Just a few days ago, Jéan-Paul Olukemi dubbed OSU’s game with Texas as must-win.
The Cowboys lost, decisively and disappointingly.
Now it’s on to Texas Tech, where the Red Raiders are suddenly showing signs of life after an 0-4 start to conference play. They’ve won back-to-back games, including on the road at Iowa State Wednesday night.
Still, the Raiders are just 10-11 overall and 2-4 in the Big 12.
The Cowboys are just 2-4, too, in league play. And they’re 0-3 in enemy Big 12 venues.
If OSU is an NCAA Tournament contender, it must start winning games – and soon, as in Saturday.
So what does that make this matchup in Lubbock, must-must-win?
Five keys vs. Texas Tech:
1. What’s New? Cowboys coach Travis Ford promised offensive changes after Wednesday night’s shutdown by Texas. He didn’t get specific, suggesting they could either be lineup or style oriented. But Ford has few personnel options, meaning the tweaks are more likely tied to pace of play. And this team could actually thrive on the run, with slasher types at several spots. Stay tuned.
2. Maintain Focus. OSU has been hampered by ragged play just before – and after – halftime. In four of their last five games, the Cowboys have been outscored 57-8 during the minutes crossing over the two halves. Three of those games have been losses. The Pokes must maintain focus and carry it out of the locker room as well, with little wiggle room to allow teams to make a run.
3. Play Hard. In each of OSU’s road losses, Ford has found himself questioning his team’s effort. The Cowboys must be a max-effort squad to succeed. The work ethic was strong against the Longhorns, if the shooting wasn’t. As Ford said afterward – it’s a start. But only a start. They’ve also got to play better.
4. Take it to Tech. The Raiders have regrouped with the two wins. Still, they came against Nebraska and Iowa State, hardly league powerhouses. And they’ve lost four times at home, where the crowds have been sparse. The atmosphere won’t be a factor. And while Tech has a veteran team – much more was expected of them in the preseason – if the Cowboys can strike hard early, the Raiders may fade. Still, Mike Singletary and John Roberson are capable of filling up a stat sheet, so beware.
5. Free Ray Penn. Ford can get frustrated with Penn, who has a tendency to freelance and stray from the offense at times. Still, he’s this team’s best option at the point, not Keiton Page, who needs to be concentrating on firing daggers from the 3-point line. Penn’s confidence appears to be teetering on the edge, and extended bench time could push him over the edge. The Cowboys should get him involved and get his offensive game going, which would be a huge boost.
OSU-Texas: Five Keys (Plus Bonus Material)
The Cowboys need Marshall Moses foul-free and scoring against Texas.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Jéan-Paul Olukemi said it, so we’ll say it.
Tonight’s game against Texas is a must-win.
Not a must-win in terms of “season over” if the Cowboys lose.
Must-win to keep from chasing the .500 mark from well behind.
Must-win to keep team confidence from sinking into the abyss.
Must-win to add a marquee win to the resume, with only Missouri and A&M qualifying as the similar opportunities on the remaining home schedule.
That said, here they are:
Five keys vs. Texas:
1. Manage Emotions. It’s a tissue and hanky kind of night planned for Gallagher-Iba Arena, with emotional nods and tributes to the families of the 10 men lost in the 2001 plane crash. There has been a significant, and proper, buildup to this 10th anniversary. For the Cowboys, there’s also a game to be played.
“We of course want to win for us,” said senior captain Marshall Moses, “but if anything, winning the game for them on a night where their ceremony will be bigger than any win we could ever have, because we’ve got life to live after the game. Win, lose or draw, God has blessed us with life. God willing, we’re all going to walk out of this building.
“Those guys didn’t get that chance. So winning for them would actually be bigger than winning for us.”
2. Hold Down The Fort. Winning at home, especially for a team that struggles mightily on the road, seems mandatory for these Cowboys, even with No. 7 Texas in town. The Longhorns are big and tough and talented, maybe the Big 12’s best team. Still, a loss would be difficult to swallow for an OSU team already 2-3 in conference play. Last year, the Cowboys found a way in a similar spot against No. 1 Kansas. Can they do it again?
3. Don’t Foul! The Cowboys have been fouling at an alarming rate. “There’s no question it’s holding us back, a lot,” said OSU coach Travis Ford. There’s a danger of this team getting tagged as frequent foulers by officials, removing any benefit of the doubt on calls. Texas will play aggressive and physical, so the Cowboys can’t back down. But they better play smart.
4. Harness Hamilton. UT’s Jordan Hamilton enjoyed his breakout game inside GIA a year ago, going off for 27 points in a Longhorns win. Now a sophomore, he’s a star, leading the Horns with a 19.5 scoring average to go with 7.2 rebounds a game. Texas has other capable scorers, but Hamilton can take over a game. He must be slowed, with Olukemi the likely best option to defend him.
5. Paging Penn. Bottom line, the Cowboys need Ray Penn to play the point, freeing Keiton Page to concentrate on shooting and relieving him of the stress of bringing the ball up court. But Penn continues to frustrate Ford with his freelancing ways.
Bonus Material
Leftover quotes from the weekly notebook:
Marshall Moses on entering a stretch of games to build a resume:
“Right now, we’ve just got to get a win. Losing is not something we’re used to and not something we like. We’ve just got to figure out how to compete on the road, and now at home, when you play against top five or top 10 teams.”
Travis Ford on Texas:
“They’re good in everything they do. It’s a team that starts four McDonald’s All-Americans and has another on the bench. They’ve got a lot of weapons.
They’re one of the top two or three teams I’ve seen play all year long. Seems like they have great team chemistry. And they look like a hungry basketball, a team that’s very driven right now.”
Ford on a fluid lineup:
“Always. Could be due to matchups. Could be due to guys not performing. Could be due to a lot of different things at this point. There’s no givens at this point.
“Hopefully, it can help wake a few guys up.”
UT coach Rick Barnes, the only coach still in place from 2001, the year of the plane crash, on the emotions of the night:
“Personally, you think back to that time and it’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years ago. It was a very emotional time. I remember going to the memorial service, along with most everyone else from our league.
“You don’t want to ever forget what happened. It’s an emotional time and it should be an emotional time, because families there lost loved ones and there will always be a void there. I really, one, respect that and certainly honor that.
“Our team will be aware of that, because some of them probably don’t know exactly what it’s about. But we have talked about it and we will continue to talk about it because I want them to understand what happened and why this is the 10 year anniversary, and why every year is important and every day is important.”
Five Keys: OSU at Baylor
Jean-Paul Olukemi is becoming an offensive force for the Cowboys.
By John Helsley
follow on Twitter @jjhelsley
Back to even in the Big 12 at 2-2, thanks to their last-minute miracle and overtime win over Iowa State, the Cowboys again face the task of winning a road game.
It hasn’t been easy, with OSU now 1-3 in true road games. The Pokes could have, maybe should have stolen a win at Colorado last week, leading by 12 in the second half.
But then, the same could be said for the Cyclones, who led by 10 in the second half – and six in the final minute – inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
So the Cowboys are back to even, about where we might have picked them when conference play began.
And now comes a winnable game in Waco.
Once a Top 25 team, the Bears are 12-5 overall and also 2-2 in the Big 12, not quite living up to their preseason hype.
Five keys at Baylor:
1. Bring out the Bears. Baylor can be long inside, with 6-11 Perry Jones, 6-10 Anthony Jones and 6-7 Quincy Acy manning the middle. That trio will pack the lane and make it tough on opposing post players. So it’s up to Keiton Page, Ray Penn and Jéan-Paul Olukemi to pump in some shots from the perimeter and loosen things up for Marshall Moses and Co.
2. Press the Point. The Bears returned three big-time starters in LaceDarius Dunn, Jones and Acy and added one of the nation’s most coveted recruits in Jones. Ekpe Udoh was a major loss, but an underrated subtraction was point guard Tweety Carter, who pushed the ball and started the offense. Baylor is trying to make do at the point and it often shows.
3. Free JP. Olukemi is getting more and more comfortable in his expanded role, slashing and scoring, making mismatches inside with his athleticism and explosive jumping ability. He’s one Cowboy who can create and he’s starting to do just that on a regular basis. He’ll be matched against similar athletes today, so this could be fun.
4. Dunn Deal. Dunn is a premier scorer, averaging 21.6 points a game to lead the Big 12 and rank 10th nationally. He can take over a game and ignite the Ferrell Center crowd. There’s no natural matchup for the Cowboys, with Olukemi probably best suited to defend him, or maybe Markel Brown. No matter who gets the call, the Cowboys can’t afford to let him go off.
5. Who’s In? Against Iowa State, starters Penn and Matt Pilgrim played themselves off the floor with careless play and ill-advised shots. And as the Cowboys rallied down the stretch and pulled away in overtime, Penn and Pilgrim were nowhere to be found, while Brown and Roger Franklin provided positives. Are we witnessing a changing of the guard, or were Penn and Pilgrim just on the receiving end of a serious message?
