Oklahoma State basketball: Le'Bryan Nash needs to keep up the effort, scoring

Nash's “motor” has been at issue since he was being recruited out of Lincoln High School in Dallas. Back then, he was so superior to the competition, things came easy; too easy it seems.

Still, he was a coveted prospect. The skills were obvious, as they've been on those occasions when Nash is in the flow and going hard and producing, like he was at Baylor.

A breakout?

Ford doesn't want to go there, not yet.

“I think he had success on the offensive end,” Ford said. “He did some good things defensively. He ran the court. He was locked in mentally, the way we want him. Hopefully he continues that.

“Is it a breakout? I've seen him score 24 before.”

But it wasn't just the scoring, Nash clearly ramped up his effort, taking on Baylor's bigger post men, scoring over them and around them with the rest of the Cowboys struggling.

“When he does that, he's going to score more, because he's talented,” Ford said. “When you play hard, usually good things are going to happen for you.”

For all the peaks and valleys in Nash's performances, Fraschilla said he sees improved energy in this second season.

Fraschilla said there's more left to see, too.

“Now he's at a stage where he can be the best player on the floor, almost every night, if he puts his mind to it,” Fraschilla said. “I think there's a maturity process that's under way. I've seen Le'Bryan play harder this year than he did last year.

“Would I be frustrated with him as a coach at times? Sure, because you see so much potential with him. I think he's at his best when he plays the game inside-out. He certainly has the skills to play some on the perimeter, but I don't think he realizes how dominant he could be inside.”

The Baylor game gave a glimpse.

Now, can he repeat the effort?