JimBob
03-11-2008, 04:43 PM
Eaton now a target
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
3/11/2008
Oklahoma State point guard Byron Eaton will participate in his third Big 12 Tournament, but it will be his first as a marked man.
The good news for Eaton is that he played well enough at the end of the regular season to be selected third-team All-Big 12. He wasn't on anybody's all-league ballot during the first nine conference games, when he averaged 9.9 points and 2.2 assists. But he averaged 18.3 points and 5.2 assists in the last seven games, leading the Cowboys to a 5-2 finish.
The bad news for Eaton is those double zeroes on his jersey also could be mistaken for bull's-eyes. When opposing coaches compile scouting reports, neutralizing Eaton is atop the priority list.
"No question about that," said Texas Tech assistant Bubba Jennings, who subbed for head coach Pat Knight during a Big 12 teleconference Monday.
"He is playing extremely well. He is really good with the ball. He really gets to the basket well. He finds guys that are open on the perimeter and shoots it well, so he is a very tough match-up and he is definitely a key to us playing against Oklahoma State."
Ninth-seeded OSU faces eighth-seeded Texas Tech in an first-round Big 12 Tournament game at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Kansas City's Sprint Center.
OSU assistant James Dickey said he thinks opponents became "more aware" of Eaton down the stretch. Because good things were happening for the Cowboys when Eaton had the ball in his hands, opponents started going the extra mile to keep the ball away from him.
"I think you can see that, the way that they try to guard ball screens when he gives the ball up, trying not to let him have it back," he said.
Recent opponents also seemed to put a bigger emphasis on limiting Eaton's drives to the rim. He averaged 20.3 points during a five-game winning streak, then averaged 12.5 points the final two games, both losses. Now it's up to the Cowboys to evolve.
"I think any time they key on one player, it's important that you have balance and other players step up," Dickey said, adding that it's difficult to win without balance when you have as many good coaches and good players as there are in the Big 12.
"Other players have got to elevate and to be able to hit shots, although Byron has really done a good job of making other players on our team better."
Other Cowboys may have to take center stage if Texas Tech has Eaton's number again. He scored 14 points the first time he played the Red Raiders two seasons ago, but hasn't reached double figures against them in five meetings since.
Eaton's two lowest-scoring games in conference play this season both came against Tech. He was limited to five and six points, shooting 3-of-12 from the field and 0-of-5 from 3-point range.
Both meetings this season occurred before Eaton began playing his best. After the light bulb clicked on for Eaton, he stung opponents with perimeter shots or penetrations that led to assists, baskets or free throws.
"You've got to try to contain him a little bit," Jennings said. "Once he gets going to the basket, you don't have much of a chance because he is real crafty and he is very strong . . . "
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
3/11/2008
Oklahoma State point guard Byron Eaton will participate in his third Big 12 Tournament, but it will be his first as a marked man.
The good news for Eaton is that he played well enough at the end of the regular season to be selected third-team All-Big 12. He wasn't on anybody's all-league ballot during the first nine conference games, when he averaged 9.9 points and 2.2 assists. But he averaged 18.3 points and 5.2 assists in the last seven games, leading the Cowboys to a 5-2 finish.
The bad news for Eaton is those double zeroes on his jersey also could be mistaken for bull's-eyes. When opposing coaches compile scouting reports, neutralizing Eaton is atop the priority list.
"No question about that," said Texas Tech assistant Bubba Jennings, who subbed for head coach Pat Knight during a Big 12 teleconference Monday.
"He is playing extremely well. He is really good with the ball. He really gets to the basket well. He finds guys that are open on the perimeter and shoots it well, so he is a very tough match-up and he is definitely a key to us playing against Oklahoma State."
Ninth-seeded OSU faces eighth-seeded Texas Tech in an first-round Big 12 Tournament game at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Kansas City's Sprint Center.
OSU assistant James Dickey said he thinks opponents became "more aware" of Eaton down the stretch. Because good things were happening for the Cowboys when Eaton had the ball in his hands, opponents started going the extra mile to keep the ball away from him.
"I think you can see that, the way that they try to guard ball screens when he gives the ball up, trying not to let him have it back," he said.
Recent opponents also seemed to put a bigger emphasis on limiting Eaton's drives to the rim. He averaged 20.3 points during a five-game winning streak, then averaged 12.5 points the final two games, both losses. Now it's up to the Cowboys to evolve.
"I think any time they key on one player, it's important that you have balance and other players step up," Dickey said, adding that it's difficult to win without balance when you have as many good coaches and good players as there are in the Big 12.
"Other players have got to elevate and to be able to hit shots, although Byron has really done a good job of making other players on our team better."
Other Cowboys may have to take center stage if Texas Tech has Eaton's number again. He scored 14 points the first time he played the Red Raiders two seasons ago, but hasn't reached double figures against them in five meetings since.
Eaton's two lowest-scoring games in conference play this season both came against Tech. He was limited to five and six points, shooting 3-of-12 from the field and 0-of-5 from 3-point range.
Both meetings this season occurred before Eaton began playing his best. After the light bulb clicked on for Eaton, he stung opponents with perimeter shots or penetrations that led to assists, baskets or free throws.
"You've got to try to contain him a little bit," Jennings said. "Once he gets going to the basket, you don't have much of a chance because he is real crafty and he is very strong . . . "