OSU basketball: Travis Ford hopes fans continue support for young team and senior Keiton Page

OKLAHOMA STATE BASKETBALL — While the Cowboys may have their eye on the future, Travis Ford isn't giving up on the season, or on his lone senior, Keiton Page.

 
By John Helsley | Published: January 22, 2012    Comment on this article Leave a comment

Travis Ford's talk shifts more and more toward next season these days, with the Cowboys facing the realities found in a 9-10 overall record and 2-4 conference mark.

photo - OSU's Keiton Page (12) dribbles past Texas Tech defender Javarez Willis (5) in the first half of a men's college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Texas Tech University Red Raiders at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
OSU's Keiton Page (12) dribbles past Texas Tech defender Javarez Willis (5) in the first half of a men's college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Texas Tech University Red Raiders at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

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Toward the development of Oklahoma State's youthful core.

Toward the hopeful return of Jéan-Paul Olukemi and Darrell Williams off the shelf.

Toward the additions of recruits Marcus Smart, Phil Forte and Kamari Murphy and whoever Ford and his staff fit into the fold.

That doesn't mean Ford is surrendering on this season, or the team's one senior, Keiton Page.

Far from it.

After Saturday's home loss to Kansas State, Ford saluted a strong crowd of 9,000 or so.

And he implored OSU followers to keep the support coming, for the kids, but also for Page.

“I can't tell you how many people,” Ford said, “as I was walking out of the gym and they were walking out, saying ‘Hey, we are behind you. Travis, we are behind you. Tell the team.'

“We really appreciate it. That means a lot because if there is any reason to come watch these guys play, the future is good. These guys are giving it everything they have got. They are playing extremely hard. We are playing good defense. We are the youngest team in America, somebody told me yesterday. Our kids are getting after it.

“If you need another reason to come (watch us) play, come watch one of the greatest players to ever play at Oklahoma State in Keiton Page, period.”

This can't be how Page envisioned his final season.

Without Olukemi and Williams to shoulder some of the load, and with Fred Gulley and Reger Dowell bailing midseason, Page is left to usher along OSU's next wave.

The lone senior, he's regularly thrust in the role of Lone Ranger with the burdensome task of carrying the offense.

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