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.
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.
