Oklahoma State basketball notebook: A Kansas hangover for Cowboys?

It was a message he wanted his players to comprehend, with Baylor — a team that had already beaten the Cowboys — due up next in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Easier said than done, Ford said, after watching his team scuffle through a 69-67 win over the Bears on Wednesday night.

“We started on Monday talking about the next game,” Ford said. “But they can't go around the corner without being congratulated. And we love it. But there was no way to forget about it. There was no way to shake it. Every time you turn around, someone's wanting to talk about it.”

By the time the team bus returned to Gallagher-Iba on Saturday night, some 200 fans and the spirit band were waiting to great the Cowboys. And the buzz, looking back, has continued on this week.

“But we're excited about it,” Ford said. “We're glad the fans got excited, the students. We wouldn't have it any other way. But yes, we're definitely 18-, 19-, 20-year old kids on the court.”

COBBINS COMES THROUGH

While most of the Cowboys struggled through uneven performances Wednesday night, forward Michael Cobbins continued his recent strong play.

Cobbins grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, scored nine points and blocked two shots, including Baylor's final attempt in overtime.

“We continue to challenge Michael all the time to have a physical presence inside,” Ford said. “To have a physical presence about him. How do you have presence? You block shots. You defend. You rebound above the rim. That's how you let yourself be know.