Calling (out) Matt Pilgrim

By John Helsley

jhelsley@opubco.com

follow on Twitter @jjhelsley

during the Bedlam men's college basketball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, February, 5, 2011. 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.