JimBob
03-05-2008, 08:14 AM
OSU hopes for Bedlam win, beyond on wings of Dove
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
3/5/2008
Maybe Oklahoma State's chances of landing an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament are a long shot. But those are the kind of shots senior forward Marcus Dove knocks down nowadays.
Dove started for OSU during his sophomore and junior seasons because he was a shutdown defender. He was such an infrequent scorer that opponents virtually dared him to shoot.
If the "old" Dove were still on campus, OSU's NCAA hopes would have croaked long ago. But the "new" Dove sank critical baskets during a five-game victory streak and the Cowboys are on the verge of becoming bubble boys.
"He worked as hard as anybody this summer on his shot and it has paid off for him," coach Sean Sutton said.
Dove hit a total of five 3-pointers during his first three seasons. He is 8-of-14 from 3-point range the last five games, helping OSU sustain its longest conference winning streak since 2005. The Cowboys never trailed after he jackpotted late-game 3-pointers in consecutive victories against Kansas and Missouri.
"I think last year I wouldn't even have thought about taking those shots," Dove said. "But just me getting in the gym and working on it and eventually gaining the confidence to shoot that, starting with this summer when we just played pickup, and then practice and then games, it has really given me confidence to step up and shoot those big shots."
Dove is one of two OSU seniors who will be honored at a Wednesday home finale against Oklahoma.
The other is reserve forward Tyler Hatch, who had this to say about Dove: "You have to respect him because he's been here. He has the experience. He played with five or six pros (early in his college career). You have to respect him and look up to him. When he's on the court talking to everybody, we listen."
Dove leads the team in minutes played, in part because Sutton said there is a comfort level when Dove is on the floor.
Dove came to OSU as a good-but-not-great high school recruit (he was pursued by Kansas, but wasn't offered a scholarship) who made himself into an NBA prospect.
"I think he's got a chance to play in the NBA because of his versatility," Sutton said of the 6-foot-9 senior. "He can guard three positions at that level. He can guard five positions at the college game. Now with his improved offensive game, it gives him probably a better chance."
An NBA scout who attended the OSU-Missouri game said Dove seemed to be the most athletic player on the floor.
Dove carried a 3.6 career scoring average into his senior season. After JamesOn Curry declared for the NBA Draft, Sutton challenged Dove to take up some of the offensive slack. Dove viewed it as a chance to help the team and help himself.
"Any kid growing up playing basketball all of his life, your No. 1 goal is to eventually make it to the NBA," he said. "I knew I could get there just on my defense alone, but they don't draft guys just off defense and you have to be able to make an open shot, so I really took that to heart."
Dove said he and Obi Muonelo often woke up at 6 a.m. during the summer to work on their games. Thirteen of Dove's 16 career double-digit scoring performances have come this season and he carries a 9.9 scoring average into the highest-stakes Bedlam game of his career.
Dove is the only Cowboy who has been to an NCAA Tournament. He redshirted during a Final Four season in 2004 and was a freshman reserve when OSU advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2005.
It appeared OSU might return to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Cowboys started 18-3, but finished 22-13. Now the Pokes are trying to salvage an NCAA trip following an 11-12 start.
"We can really make a statement with these last two games, starting Wednesday night with Bedlam. We have to get this win. I think OU is one of the teams we are vying with to get into the NCAA Tournament, so for us to be able to beat them this late will be huge . . ."
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Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
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BEDLAM STARTERS
OU (19-10, 7-7 Big 12)
Ht. Pt. Rb.
C Longar ................. 6-11 11.9 5.5
F T.Griffin .................. 6-7 6.4 4.6
G Crocker .................. 6-6 11.2 4.0
G Johnson ................ 6-3 8.7 2.8
G Davis ..................... 6-5 3.8 1.6
OSU (16-12, 7-7 Big 12)
Ht. Pt. Rb.
F Dove...................... 6-9 9.9 5.4
C Thomas................. 6-11 5.9 4.1
G Eaton..................... 5-11 11.7 *3.3
G Anderson.............. 6-6 13.9 3.4
G Muonelo................ 6-5 9.8 3.4
* Assists per game
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
3/5/2008
Maybe Oklahoma State's chances of landing an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament are a long shot. But those are the kind of shots senior forward Marcus Dove knocks down nowadays.
Dove started for OSU during his sophomore and junior seasons because he was a shutdown defender. He was such an infrequent scorer that opponents virtually dared him to shoot.
If the "old" Dove were still on campus, OSU's NCAA hopes would have croaked long ago. But the "new" Dove sank critical baskets during a five-game victory streak and the Cowboys are on the verge of becoming bubble boys.
"He worked as hard as anybody this summer on his shot and it has paid off for him," coach Sean Sutton said.
Dove hit a total of five 3-pointers during his first three seasons. He is 8-of-14 from 3-point range the last five games, helping OSU sustain its longest conference winning streak since 2005. The Cowboys never trailed after he jackpotted late-game 3-pointers in consecutive victories against Kansas and Missouri.
"I think last year I wouldn't even have thought about taking those shots," Dove said. "But just me getting in the gym and working on it and eventually gaining the confidence to shoot that, starting with this summer when we just played pickup, and then practice and then games, it has really given me confidence to step up and shoot those big shots."
Dove is one of two OSU seniors who will be honored at a Wednesday home finale against Oklahoma.
The other is reserve forward Tyler Hatch, who had this to say about Dove: "You have to respect him because he's been here. He has the experience. He played with five or six pros (early in his college career). You have to respect him and look up to him. When he's on the court talking to everybody, we listen."
Dove leads the team in minutes played, in part because Sutton said there is a comfort level when Dove is on the floor.
Dove came to OSU as a good-but-not-great high school recruit (he was pursued by Kansas, but wasn't offered a scholarship) who made himself into an NBA prospect.
"I think he's got a chance to play in the NBA because of his versatility," Sutton said of the 6-foot-9 senior. "He can guard three positions at that level. He can guard five positions at the college game. Now with his improved offensive game, it gives him probably a better chance."
An NBA scout who attended the OSU-Missouri game said Dove seemed to be the most athletic player on the floor.
Dove carried a 3.6 career scoring average into his senior season. After JamesOn Curry declared for the NBA Draft, Sutton challenged Dove to take up some of the offensive slack. Dove viewed it as a chance to help the team and help himself.
"Any kid growing up playing basketball all of his life, your No. 1 goal is to eventually make it to the NBA," he said. "I knew I could get there just on my defense alone, but they don't draft guys just off defense and you have to be able to make an open shot, so I really took that to heart."
Dove said he and Obi Muonelo often woke up at 6 a.m. during the summer to work on their games. Thirteen of Dove's 16 career double-digit scoring performances have come this season and he carries a 9.9 scoring average into the highest-stakes Bedlam game of his career.
Dove is the only Cowboy who has been to an NCAA Tournament. He redshirted during a Final Four season in 2004 and was a freshman reserve when OSU advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 2005.
It appeared OSU might return to the NCAA Tournament last season. The Cowboys started 18-3, but finished 22-13. Now the Pokes are trying to salvage an NCAA trip following an 11-12 start.
"We can really make a statement with these last two games, starting Wednesday night with Bedlam. We have to get this win. I think OU is one of the teams we are vying with to get into the NCAA Tournament, so for us to be able to beat them this late will be huge . . ."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEDLAM STARTERS
OU (19-10, 7-7 Big 12)
Ht. Pt. Rb.
C Longar ................. 6-11 11.9 5.5
F T.Griffin .................. 6-7 6.4 4.6
G Crocker .................. 6-6 11.2 4.0
G Johnson ................ 6-3 8.7 2.8
G Davis ..................... 6-5 3.8 1.6
OSU (16-12, 7-7 Big 12)
Ht. Pt. Rb.
F Dove...................... 6-9 9.9 5.4
C Thomas................. 6-11 5.9 4.1
G Eaton..................... 5-11 11.7 *3.3
G Anderson.............. 6-6 13.9 3.4
G Muonelo................ 6-5 9.8 3.4
* Assists per game