JimBob
02-18-2008, 08:22 AM
Three questions with OSU's Marcus Dove
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
2/18/2008
Position: Forward
Class: Senior
Height: 6-9
Weight: 212
You give teammates nicknames. Which nickname are you most proud of?
“I would have to say ‘Triple C’ (because James Anderson is cool, calm and collected). We call Marshall Moses ‘Lava’ because he likes to rap and he’s a real hot rapper, so we’ll call him ‘Lava’ because everything he says melts (because) it’s so hot.”
You often defend the opponent’s best player. Who is the best college player you’ve guarded?
“Probably Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley because basically the offense goes through those two. Beasley is more of a post-up guy. Probably those two.”
In what way have you changed most since your freshman year?
“I have just matured a lot. Being a freshman, I really didn’t know a lot about the game of basketball. And coming in here and getting to play for a coach like Eddie Sutton and Sean Sutton has really helped me expand my knowledge of the game. There are things I know that I wouldn’t even have dreamed about knowing when I came in here.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Looking back
OSU is coming off its most impressive two-game stretch of the season. The Cowboys captured a homecourt victory over a Baylor team that got enough votes to rank 31st in the ESPN/USA Today poll and 34th in the Associated Press poll. For an encore, the Pokes ended a 19-game road losing streak and ambushed 16th-ranked Texas A&M in College Station, beating a ranked team for the first time since toppling A&M in last season’s Big 12 Tournament.
The week ahead
Saturday: vs. Kansas, 3 p.m.
Sean Sutton said his team took two big steps last week. Now the Cowboys get a week off to prepare for Kansas. “They are not ranked No. 1 right now,” he said. “But if I had to pick a team right now who I thought would win the national championship, Kansas would be my pick.”
The big picture
Has Byron Eaton turned the corner?
The junior point guard collected 42 points and 13 assists with just four turnovers against Baylor and A&M. “When he plays well, our team plays well,” Sutton said.
Was Terrel Harris’ block OSU’s play of the year so far?
Harris made a significant “wow” play when, closing from behind, he blocked a tying layup attempt by Texas A&M guard Donald Sloan with 35 seconds left. Martavius Adams called the block unbelievable. Said Sutton, “Terrel came from almost halfcourt to make the play. He hustled back and didn’t concede the layup. He just made a great block and Marcus made one right before that. Those are little plays that end up being big plays.”
Did OSU strip itself of a mental block?
Lose as many close road games as the Cowboys have the past three seasons and it can become a “mental thing,” according to Sutton. But Obi Muonelo and Eaton combined to go 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the last 16 seconds against A&M to end the hex and spark a celebration.
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
2/18/2008
Position: Forward
Class: Senior
Height: 6-9
Weight: 212
You give teammates nicknames. Which nickname are you most proud of?
“I would have to say ‘Triple C’ (because James Anderson is cool, calm and collected). We call Marshall Moses ‘Lava’ because he likes to rap and he’s a real hot rapper, so we’ll call him ‘Lava’ because everything he says melts (because) it’s so hot.”
You often defend the opponent’s best player. Who is the best college player you’ve guarded?
“Probably Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley because basically the offense goes through those two. Beasley is more of a post-up guy. Probably those two.”
In what way have you changed most since your freshman year?
“I have just matured a lot. Being a freshman, I really didn’t know a lot about the game of basketball. And coming in here and getting to play for a coach like Eddie Sutton and Sean Sutton has really helped me expand my knowledge of the game. There are things I know that I wouldn’t even have dreamed about knowing when I came in here.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Looking back
OSU is coming off its most impressive two-game stretch of the season. The Cowboys captured a homecourt victory over a Baylor team that got enough votes to rank 31st in the ESPN/USA Today poll and 34th in the Associated Press poll. For an encore, the Pokes ended a 19-game road losing streak and ambushed 16th-ranked Texas A&M in College Station, beating a ranked team for the first time since toppling A&M in last season’s Big 12 Tournament.
The week ahead
Saturday: vs. Kansas, 3 p.m.
Sean Sutton said his team took two big steps last week. Now the Cowboys get a week off to prepare for Kansas. “They are not ranked No. 1 right now,” he said. “But if I had to pick a team right now who I thought would win the national championship, Kansas would be my pick.”
The big picture
Has Byron Eaton turned the corner?
The junior point guard collected 42 points and 13 assists with just four turnovers against Baylor and A&M. “When he plays well, our team plays well,” Sutton said.
Was Terrel Harris’ block OSU’s play of the year so far?
Harris made a significant “wow” play when, closing from behind, he blocked a tying layup attempt by Texas A&M guard Donald Sloan with 35 seconds left. Martavius Adams called the block unbelievable. Said Sutton, “Terrel came from almost halfcourt to make the play. He hustled back and didn’t concede the layup. He just made a great block and Marcus made one right before that. Those are little plays that end up being big plays.”
Did OSU strip itself of a mental block?
Lose as many close road games as the Cowboys have the past three seasons and it can become a “mental thing,” according to Sutton. But Obi Muonelo and Eaton combined to go 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the last 16 seconds against A&M to end the hex and spark a celebration.