Oklahoma State men's basketball coach Travis Ford, in his position less than a week, announced Wednesday that senior-to-be Terrel Harris has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules.
Advertisement
Harris was OSU's third-leading scorer last season at 10.5 points per game and is the squad's leading returning rebounder.
Last April, Harris was arrested for using a fake ID and obstructing an officer.
On New Year's Eve of 2006 he suffered a fracture to a bone under his eye and missed a game with the injury.
Former head coach Sean Sutton made a trip to Harris' mother's house early last summer and spoke with the pair, along with Harris' uncle, Windell Yancy, a former OSU football player. Harris had not had any public disciplinary issues since.
One of the team's two seniors-to-be, Harris spoke at the press conference introducing Ford last Thursday, telling reporters he ranked Ford's initial impression as a nine on a scale from 1-10.
"I could tell everybody was keyed in on him,” Harris said. "I remember when I first got here and we had Eddie Sutton. Whenever he talked, people just listened. I don't know if it's strong voice or what it is, but when (Ford) talked, people listened and they were focused on him and my teammates were really interested and were really focused on everything he had to say, every word.”
Leave a comment.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
As much of a "die hard" OU fan as I have been born and raised to be, it pains me to read what itmustsucktobeosu writes. I firmly believe I speak for the "true" Sooner Nation of fans when I apologize to OSU fans for his postings. Please do not mistake one person's posts (and many times other's, as well) as the voice for the majority of "true" OU fans and their beliefs. (Pardon the old cliche, but don't let a bad apple spoil the bunch.) Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss. And, this person's ignorance is obvious. It is my hope and belief that most Sooner fans, as myself, want the best for OSU, if not to bring more notoriety to this great state, than at least to have the chance to beat a worthy adversary. Itmustsucktobeosu is an embarrassment to the Sooner Nation and not a thought should be wasted on this person's past or (inevitably) future posts. I, like most "true" Sooner fans, will continue to cheer for OSU - just not against OU.
itmustsucktobeosu, Ardmore! I was just advocating ignoring you OU bandwagon fans... And then I saw you were commenting today! Your thoughts and comments are hard to follow and make very little sense. All I see in your comments is anger and maybe a little bit of jealousy. What I believe when I truly see in your comments is sour grapes. Did you get turned away from OSU and end up at Cameron? Your desire to “put OSU in it’s place” is comical. “Our place” is in Stillwater, OK, a neat town with a great University. Subscribe to a Lawton paper and read about Cameron FB. OOPS! They don’t have FB at Cameron, do they? I see why you migrated to the Sooner Schooner.
Why do OU “bandwagon weenies” spend so much time worrying and commenting on OSU? Some OU fans must be really bored or stupid. I distinctly remember that OU has had their share of problems with athletes and “Off-the-Field” antics. To the best of my memory, I have never personally wasted one second demeaning OU by commenting about their troubles after an OU article, because I don’t read their articles. I am not impressed by crimson at all and I bleed only orange. They do a lot of things well at OU. Maybe they should read OU articles and comment on them. Hey!, OSU fans stop replying to the OU “weenies”! Don’t give them the time of day!
David, PC! Well said David. I understand that many young men need a chance at redemption. Maybe, the tough love should begin more in earnest after the recruit shows up on campus. I believe Eddie probably got some good miles out of a few guys with a cloud over them. I think some of the guys we recruited with a cloud over them, still played like they were in a marijuana haze. I still thing the NCAA schools should set tough standards and stick to their guns. Maybe these young men (and women, too, because Budke had to show some tough love this year too!) who use athletics as a ticket out of tough places and situations, should start thinking about the importance of character early in their life. I believe that all NCAA athletes should be tested for drugs and alcohol monthly!
Easy to say we should recruit character. And perfect ballplayers. sometimes character and talent are built. Today it is hard to find both in one package. I find it admirable for a coach to develope young men... It happens all the time. Finding talent and character in one package doesn't happen all the time. These are kids that need to grow. Some do it early some do it late. Look at Desmond Mason. He was trouble with a capital T. He had changed before he got to OSU. Yu didn't hear of any trouble from him He turned out to be a model citizen. They can grow up. It's never to late to change your life around. Sometimes, though it takes too long to help a ballclub. Patience, my friend. It can happen.
Agreed, Chris. Well said. I should have stayed on the topic and ignored the annoying OU people. My bad. Hopefully, Harris will come around. If not, we don't need him at OSU. Better to try his hand at a small D-1 school.
Once again this forum turns into a 3rd grade mentality argument between individuals who represent neither, OSU or OU well. BACK TO THE HARRIS SUSPENSION! I am an OSU grad and I do bleed orange, but I am darn glad that Ford is evidently trying to do his part in cleaning up some problems with our basketball team. In doing so Ford can begin to chip away at some of the image problems our athletic teams have. We have world class facilities (both in place and under construction) and I for one believe that OSU needs to recruit “class” and “character” first. We as alums must demand that our athletic programs enforce zero tolerance drug and crime policies in current athletes and recruits. The truth is that, when OSU has experimented with felons we have been tarnished and down right disappointed nearly every time. I believe that OSU can use our new facilities and exciting new coaching staffs to attract character and talent in the same package. I for one believe that success in recruiting for OSU will ultimately be realized if we cull the shady characters up front and dismiss those athletes who are involved in drug, alcohol, and other crimes (including sex crimes). GOPOKES!
Are there any ADULTS that know how to type and make comments on these articles? All I read are a bunch of 5-yr-olds who can't spell, who have bad grammer and look at each other and say, "Nyuh, nyuh, nyuh." Good grief people, GROW UP!!!!
Once again, showing your class. When do you graduate high school? You didn't respond to anything else I said. Well done, sir. Anyways, how does it feel knowing that your Big 12 tourny titles were won with a cheater? Does it feel good? Do you enjoy it? I wouldn't, but that is just me.
If you look on the Big 12 site, not some fans only site, OSU has finished ahead twice, tied 4 times and OU has finished ahead 4 times. Ties are the same, no matter what the Big 12 tourny seeding is. At least, that is what I count. If you count it your way, OSU finished ahead an extra time. How old are you? Suck it? Please, grow up and learn how to read stats. Sad, sad little boy.
Jacob, we were both wrong...Here is the link to the Big XII and they have OU ahead of OSU 8 times out of 11 (look at how they list the order of finish because it takes into account the tie break system) and it does not include this year, which we all know OU put a beat down on the Cowchokes so it is 9 of 12 years. SUCK IT! http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/big12/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/07-guide-95-118.pdf
JJ, Ford is looking for excuses? I love it! OU has excuses for everything, that is why they lost to West Virginia, Colorado, Texas Tech, That is why they lost to Colorado in basketball, Sam Houston State in basketball, do you want me to go on? Excuses are all we hear from OU fans. Talk about a hypocrite! Please!
itmustsucktobeyou, I think you are awesome. You are my comic relief every day. I really hope you are an adult, and not just some 12 year old. It cracks me up to think there are people out there as stupid as you that don't even know they are stupid. Please keep it up. I know it is wrong to laugh at retarded people, but you are just too hillarious. BTW, this isn't an insult, just some "truth" for you. LOL
And Danny, Pattilo was a nice sign for you. OSU would have had him, but Sutton was forced out. He was quoted as saying OSU was his leader until that point. He will be good for you guys. Congrats, but rubbing it in becuase our coach left is silly.
JJ, you need to stop getting your information from Tramel. We have tied wtih OU 4 times and finished ahead twice, they have finished ahead of us two more times then we have. Moron, look at the Big 12 stats.
Talent means nothing if you can't control your players off the court. If you have no control, what good is that player to the team? The standards the bad player sets for underclassmen can have a horrific and snowballing effect. The first thing that will go through that underclasman's mind is, "Well Terrel got away with it and is still on the team, so I'm in the clear." A message needs to be sent and keeping him on the team, regardless of his talent, after 3 suspensions is a negative message to the current and incoming players.
think about it boys, a Cameron grad getting to tell the truth about osu almost any time of the day or night? what awesome kind of a job might I have? My job title should be "the one who puts osu back where they belong", yup that is my duty as an american.
can osu afford to lose much more talent? they have already lost a commitment that is now signed with OU, with those words I just wrote, nothing sarcastic or mean at all, some osu fan will have something negative to say about it, and when they do, I have succeeded in doing what I have set out to do.
As much as I love watching Terrel play and hit the 3 pointers(when he is on a good night), I believe the "3 strikes and you are out" rule should be implemented and enforced. One suspension is a "oops". Two suspensions is "I got by with the first one". Three suspensions is "I will never learn and will keep moving down the wrong path". It's time to cut him loose. He needs to learn he is ultimately the one responsible for his choices. It's a harsh way to go but it may be the only way to get through to him. It's also a way of saying "welcome to the adult world". I feel bad that Coach Ford had to start off his OSU career in this fashion but you can't coach a team if you have no respect from the players. A player who has no respect for the rules has no respect for the team, university, or coach. Let's hope Coach Ford stays consistent on his discipline methods and the other players are watching!
Ford is just trying to build in early excuses for when he can't get this team to the tournament next year after Sean said they would be there. Looks like OSUcks is headed for yet another finish below OU in basketball, as they have every year but one since the Big XII was formed.
Danny, it is funny you speak of "class" and "truth" when you never have either of those. Keep it up, it is wonderful. We don't talk about others anymore then OU fans. But, in your case, no OSU fan can beat you at the "talking about others but not your own team" game you play. What kind of job does a Cameron grad get anyway?
Aaron, You have three programs at OU currently on NCAA probation. OSU has their problems, let them solve it as they see fit. OU has enough problems of themselves. Also, the Wilson Eagle is back.
I work in real life, I have a wonderful job, what do you do in real life? Robert, as long as I can take away from an osu story my job gets better, from the beginning all I ever said was osu's basketball and football teams weren't as good as OU's, and being that osu fans are so classy and all, I have been defending my good name and OU ever since. osu= double standards, they love to talk about others, but when the heat is turned up the insults fly. From now til I get bored of this, I will be on here every chance I get to give all of you grief. I have the best job in the world.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Apr 24, 2008 11:01 AM
The O-state basketball problem is a big one. I doubt we have much to cheer about from them next season. Don't blame Ford yet? Surely he knew he was in for a challenge. I don't believe anything any Sooner has ever done causes an OSU player to disobey rules. Some of these Cowboy fans know that their own shame comes from their past and want us to feel what they feel. Misery loves company. It may take a whole new administration to clean up the mess. If not; and Ford is successful, Ford may be the new AD if he doesn't leave for Kentucky.
Thanks for a good post Scott. I wish every fan could focus on comments that add to the discussion. It is obvious that Ford knows he has several years to build with undergrads. It's unfortunate that his first article has to involve disciplinary action. Harris seemlingly takes as much as he gives to the team.
Harris had so much potential coming in as a 4-star (along with Eaton as a 5-star) recruit but no one on the current roster (aside from Eaton) has been more inconsistent. He totally disappears in several games in a row and then all of a sudden he'll look like a 1st round NBA pick. But then he'll fade into obscurity again. Maybe Ford will wake him up and get him playing up to that potential every single game - assuming he remains on the team of course.
Roy, there really is nothing to say to you, since I could go all day with old OU rape and drug stories. Also, there are NCAA violations, OU players smoking weed, etc. But, instead of just talking, I am going to let a silly, uneducated response speak for itself. Yours in this case.
Roy, Isn't it funny? The differences between OSU and OU I mean. In Stillwater it is a pick-em on how you get kicked off the team and in Norman you have to do at least two of those get get on the team. I sure wish there was some consistency in NCAA athletics, especially in our state. Don't you?
Tim, if this paper has any professional writers it's Cohen and Baldwin. The rest of them can go to yellow (make that crimson and creme) journalism hell for all Poke fans care. Cohen's story is about CURRENT problems with Harris -- not something that happened last summer.
It IS good Ford came in and laid down the law to establish himself and his order. Whether or not it's a major violation worth removing Harris from the team permanently is the responsibility of Ford and OSU.
We certainly know that Other University has a very lenient policy, but OSU's is a bit tougher. We'll see how Ford chooses to handle this. It sounds like Harris will simply be in the dog house for a while.
Tim, as far as the team's violation, isn't really just a pick-em at this point? Isn't it? I mean you can go with DUI, marijuana possession, striking an officer, raping underage girls, self gratification outside of women's bedrooms, gang-rapes at the house that Tim Sydnes built, etc, etc. I think what the writer of this article really wants, Tim, is for you to broaden your horizons by having you use your imagination a little. Thank you Andrea Cohen for trying to help those like Tim here out and make him a better Poke.
This story is retarded.What team rules did he violate? This story makes it sound like they are punishing him now for something he did last year. This is another example of horrible reporting that somehow continues to find its way on the internet.
48
It IS good Ford came in and laid down the law to establish himself and his order. Whether or not it's a major violation worth removing Harris from the team permanently is the responsibility of Ford and OSU.
We certainly know that Other University has a very lenient policy, but OSU's is a bit tougher. We'll see how Ford chooses to handle this. It sounds like Harris will simply be in the dog house for a while.