STILLWATER — Money talks. So when discussing this Oklahoma State men's basketball opening, we keep hearing about how a coach might be compensated, the big money that might be involved.
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But here's another reason the OSU job opening might be attractive to potential coaches.
It's not a complete rebuilding job.
Before he was forced out, Sean Sutton spoke about the potential of next year's team, saying he thought OSU could compete for the Big 12 title. It wasn't crazy talk.
The 2007-08 Cowboys were a young team that ran hot and cold. Thanks to the unexpected departure of Kenny Cooper, they were without a big man who had played a single minute of college basketball. Partly because of the loss of JamesOn Curry they had to rely heavily on freshman James Anderson for scoring, and the first-year player had some trouble adjusting to the grind and scouting of the Big 12. It took months for the light to go on for point guard Byron Eaton.
All these things considered, OSU went 7-9 in a tough conference, and showed flashes of being a very good team (see: beating a certain team playing tonight).
And that team returns almost everybody.
Next year OSU loses just two seniors – Marcus Dove and Tyler Hatch. Dove's graduation is obviously a big blow to the defense, but subtracting those two guys, OSU returns 85 percent of its scoring and 80 percent of its rebounding.
Provided the new coach can convince the rest of the OSU players to stay, the 2008-09 Cowboys should be mature, with two experienced seniors (Eaton and Terrel Harris) and one experienced junior (Obi Muonelo).
Anderson, who said last week that he is not considering transferring, is a potential superstar. Ibrahima Thomas, at nearly 7 feet tall, improved throughout the year, and the more bulk he puts on, the better he can be.
The Cowboys should get back junior college transfers Brad Garrett and Anthony Brown, the two transfers Sutton thought could most help OSU last season. Both suffered shoulder injuries that required surgery during the season.
The incoming coach will likely have one scholarship to use and possibly a second. Pawnee's Keiton Page appears to be a lock to be on campus this summer, but OSU's other signee, Dee Proby, sounds like his commitment could waiver.
With the addition of some low-post scoring, OSU's new coach could be in decent position to accomplish what its now-former coach predicted a month ago.
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When was the last Final Four? Why can you not sustain talent? Who will dry your eyes when Self respectfully declines? I guess the elite eight is as good as cutting down the nets in a big town like Edmond. I mean it is what is inside that counts. Patrick is a good loser.
Capel does look like a genius. It is hard not to when you are surrounded by such morons of so called Sooner fans who do nothing but blog on other team articles. Anyone can criticize, it takes some effort to be positive and support a team.
Anything this century? Um, well only if 2004 and 2005 fall within this century. 2004 regular season and tournament championship and 2005 tournament championship. I guess it's understandable that you would not realize that 2004 and 2005 are in the 21st century seeing how they are probably still stuck in the 19th century down in Hooterville.
Poor Jake can't come up with his own opinion so he has to swing off the jock of another man. Me and 5,000 others witnessed and a$$-whipping, and there will be more to come. OSU is falling fast without real administrative direction. Where did you finish this year Jake, and how many big 12 titles have you won? Anything this century? Now clean your room before mommy catches you. History is probably your favorite subject since you are a Cowboy fan.
Haha Arron! Barely top 10 in the Big 12? You are so funny! Besides KU, OSU is next. Who cares about OU's cheating championships anyway? You and 5,000 others who bravely venture into Lloyd Noble every fall and winder to watch OU? Spend more time on the sport we all know you care about, OU football.
Too bad this article could not have been written BEFORE the coach was pressured out....seems like the same fate would be there for almost anybody coaching with defections and shoulder injuries coupled with youth.
I was sorry to see Sean Sutton go. I think that he is a very good coach who took his team about as far as it was going to go this year. He was dealt a bad hand from the beginning starting with the way in which he took over the team from his father. All things considered, he accomplished as much as almost any one could have in similar circumstances. To bad he wasn't considered for the position at Cal.
Anyone who knows anything about basketball knows that OSU has a lot of talent on the floor. We have the personnel in place to have a good team next year. As with any new coach, there will be some growing pains, and we may loose some games we shouldn't. But really, how is that any different than the last 3 years with Sean.
Is OSU a top 5 program? No. Is it top 10? Probably not. Is it a top 20 program? Definitely. With the tradition of the program and the atmosphere of Gallagher-Iba, we may not be an elite program, but we're in the upper tier. Many coaches out there would be very interested in coming to OSU.
So let me say to all my fellow OSU fans, don't pay any attention to the few Sooner fans who comment on these boards. They're simply disappointed that we fired Sean. They wanted us to sign him to a six-year extension, and I can't blame them. I wanted OU to keep John Blake around a few more years. Why? Because you knew it was just a matter of time before they got a good coach in there and restored the football program to its former self. I'm confident the same will be true for our basketball program.
30 point loss to Texas in the Big XII, tried to choke it off against St Joes, and a 30 point loss to Louisville. That is some genious coaching. The bigger genious was Sampson. He signed Taylor to get Blake.
Your are right, they are in good shape for a run to the NIT again next season. Better get realistic, before you start with lofty expectations. I read the Oklahoman is trying to sell OSU as a top 10 program this isn't 1955, they are barely top 10 in the Big 12.
Booster don't win championships. Capel is looking like a more genius of a hire day after day.
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Is OSU a top 5 program? No. Is it top 10? Probably not. Is it a top 20 program? Definitely. With the tradition of the program and the atmosphere of Gallagher-Iba, we may not be an elite program, but we're in the upper tier. Many coaches out there would be very interested in coming to OSU.
So let me say to all my fellow OSU fans, don't pay any attention to the few Sooner fans who comment on these boards. They're simply disappointed that we fired Sean. They wanted us to sign him to a six-year extension, and I can't blame them. I wanted OU to keep John Blake around a few more years. Why? Because you knew it was just a matter of time before they got a good coach in there and restored the football program to its former self. I'm confident the same will be true for our basketball program.
Booster don't win championships. Capel is looking like a more genius of a hire day after day.