STILLWATER — Early in the Travis Ford era, Oklahoma State has been a team that shoots the 3 — a lot. On Thursday night, as the Cowboys took apart Tulsa 91-73, they were a basketball team that ran the pick-and-roll — a lot.
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It didn’t take long for the Cowboys to realize that when center Ibrahima Thomas took Tulsa center Jamont Jordan with him to set screens for point guard Byron Eaton, great things were happening. Eaton was hitting Thomas cutting to the basket — to the tune of 18 points for the big man. The point guard was finishing for himself — he had 26 points — and getting the rest of the team shots as well (he had seven assists).
Unlike previous games, where OSU’s 3-point attempts have been in the 30 range, the Cowboys took just 14 3-point shots and scored 46 points in the paint.
"We put in some plays just before this game,” Ford said. "We tried to get some mismatches off the pick-and-roll. It snowballed a little bit.”
Said Eaton, "We found something they couldn’t stop.”
Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik agreed.
"Pick-and-roll,” Wojcik said. "I think we will be seeing that all year, and they did a great job. Thomas did a great job of receiving it and finishing at the basket. He really caused us problems.”
OSU’s energy to start the game was the best it’s been thus far this season, Ford said. The Cowboys’ full-court press and traps forced Tulsa to turn the ball over 16 times in the first half, and OSU capitalized on the other end. The Cowboys led 54-28 at the half, and although Tulsa hit some 3-pointers to cut the lead to 13 in the second half, OSU surged again late.
In OSU’s first game of the year, Texas-San Antonio slowed the pace to a crawl. In the second game, the pace was faster but hampered by North Texas and OSU combining to shoot more than 80 free throws. Thursday, Ford said, provided the best opponent OSU has faced and the best it has played.
He told his team beforehand that it was a statement game.
"That’s respect for Tulsa,” Ford said. "Tulsa’s an NCAA (Tournament) team. For us to come out and win the game the way we did, it surprised me a little bit.”
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Barry, I really want to agree with you. Ideally, it is the students' university. Without their attendance, there would be no university at all. Logically, you would think students would/should not have to pay to watch their own classmates play an amateur sport.
just winging it here, but what do you think the probability is that a basketball ticket has not made the cut for reducing a student's overall costs at school? I remember when I was there, I was always taken aback by the upfront cost for the ticket package when I enrolled. Any chance students have recognized the $100's of dollars for sports tickets do not fit into their budgets anymore? Personally, I have never agreed with charging students a single nickle to get in. It is not like they are paying tens of thousands of dollars in tuition, etc. already. Or just charge them a dollar and pack the place. Not just here, everywhere. OSU, OU, Kalamazoo and Timbuktu. I know economics would never allow that, but I think that is the way it should be.
I agree Jerry, and was going to mention the lack of students, but left it out. I did think the students who were there was AWESOME! I think the students got turned off by the team the past couple of years...but I'm sure they'll be back!!
OSU basketball is still a work in progress. This was by far the best they have played so far but Ford is still running the show from the sidelines. I know he will be calling plays and defenses but right now the players are still thinking when he calls em and not playing instinctively.
I am excited about what he can do, this is a talented group. I am also a little worried about his substitutions, he really only played 7 players.
I wholeheartedly agree with Chris. One of the best played and most prepared I have seen an OSU team be on the court in several years. A very exciting brand of ball. I think we have a very good coach. Even if we may struggle at times to win in the heart of the Big XII season, this guy is a keeper. The major obstacle to the success of this team will be depth and strength in the paint that some teams may capitalize on. When he gets some of his recruits in here, especially guys like Karron Johnson, Ford will have us back on track. The worst thing about the game last night was: Where were the students?
Fantastic game by OSU, both players and coaches. That's the best I've seen them play in two years. Tulsa has some talent, but they never had a chance. The team was focused and loose. I saw more behind the back passes last night than I saw in 10 years of Sutton ball. I think Travis is surprised at the talent he has inherited...and the players are buying what he's selling. Pay attention to the Pokes!
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I am excited about what he can do, this is a talented group. I am also a little worried about his substitutions, he really only played 7 players.