OSU men's basketball team prepare for ‘experiment’
OSU vs. UCO: Ford says team will toy with lineups in its two exhibition games

BY JOHN HELSLEY, Staff Writer, jhelsley@opubco.com Comments 0
Published: November 7, 2009

STILLWATER — With seven newcomers and several openings for playing time, Cowboys basketball coach Travis Ford approaches his team’s two exhibition games like a chemistry exam.

Guards Keiton Page, left, and James Anderson are OSU’s only two guaranteed starters heading into exhibition games. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN

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"These exhibition games are going to be more experiments than anything,” Ford said. "We are going to toy with lineups.”

Ford’s exercise begins tonight, with OSU facing Central Oklahoma in the first of two exhibitions. Tip time is 7 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Earlier this week, Ford named two sure-fire starters: James Anderson and Keiton Page. At least for tonight, holdovers Obi Muonelo and Marshall Moses along with Kentucky transfer Matt Pilgrim will join those two in the opening lineup.

Overall depth took a hit when center Teeng Akol and guard Nick Sidorakis suffered injuries that will sideline them each at least a month. But Ford is taking a hard look at most of those remaining on the roster, including six freshmen: guards Ray Penn, Fred Gulley and Reger Dowell and forwards Roger Franklin, Jarred Shaw and Torin Walker.

"Before the two guys got hurt, I was very solid with nine guys,” Ford said. "If you have those two out, I am solid with maybe seven. Some of those other guys have to step up and play and this is their opportunity.

"They are not ready. That’s for sure. But they are going to be thrown into some situations and they better perform.”

While much focus aims at readying the newcomers, OSU’s veterans are more in step with the system in Year 2 under Ford.

"Last year at this time, we really didn’t know what to expect, and we had a whole different coaching staff,” Anderson said. "We just had to take a new role and follow his plan.

"This year, all the returning guys know what to expect. So we just try to help coach Ford out and teach the new guys.”

The Cowboys return four of their six leading scorers from last season, when they finished 23-12 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

UCO, 24-6 a year ago, is ranked No. 17 in the preseason NCAA Division II poll. The Bronchos lost 86-71 at Baylor on Thursday night, after trailing just 38-33 at the half.