OSU Hoops: Looking Bigger

By John Helsley

jhelsley@opubco.com

Among Oklahoma State’s perceived weaknesses in 2009-10: size, as in a lack of it.

Perception, it seems, isn’t always reality.

Cowboys coach Travis Ford mostly chose to play small, preferring the advantages that Obi Muonelo provided at the 4 spot.

Ford had capable and quality big men in 6-foot-8 Matt Pilgrim and 6-7 Marshall Moses, yet rarely played them together.

OSU's Matt Pilgrim (31) grabs a pass for an alley-oop during the first half of the Bedlam men's college basketball game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, February 13, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman ORG XMIT: KOD

Matt Pilgrim will help in the middle next season. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

“I was so comfortable with what we were running for two years with Obi at the 4,” Ford said. “A lot of our offense was predicated, not so much for him to necessarily score at the 4, but our plays were run in a way that our 4 man needed to be versatile.”

Muonelo, while 6-4, created major matchup issues for foes, particularly on the offensive end.

Kansas coach Bill Self – and others – referred to Muonelo as a “matchup nightmare.”

Muonelo could smoothly stroke 3-pointers, or use his quickness and strength to slash and drive and score on lumbering big men. He could handle the ball out front, or roll off screens and pop jumpers.