JimBob
03-15-2008, 08:44 AM
Sutton deserves more time
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
3/15/2008
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton said he hasn't thought about the future.
He put all his efforts into beating Texas.
"Our whole focus was on winning this tournament," said Sutton. "I thought we were capable and thought we would win this game."
Sutton was wrong.
The Longhorns got the usual spectacular performance from D.J. Augustin, the nation's best point guard, and Damion James hurt OSU on the interior in a 66-59 victory on Friday in the Big 12 Conference Tournament quarterfinals at the Sprint Center.
Many believe OSU will land in the National Invitation Tournament, a long way from the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament.
"I'm disappointed we will not be in the NCAA Tournament," said Sutton.
So are OSU fans, who will now be sitting on the outside of the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year. Five years ago, State was in the Final Four. Four years ago, the Cowboys advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
It has been a rapid and dramatic fall. It is the reason why Sutton has remained the focus of rumors much of this season.
"I think our team has grown up a lot," said Sutton. "We started out with not much experience."
O-State appeared overmatched in most of this game, although the Cowboys stayed within striking distance with some 3-point shooting late in the game.
"We lost again to a great team," said Sutton.
Yes, the Longhorns are good. Most believe Texas is good enough to make a run to the Final Four and have a good shot at winning the national title.
"They have the ingredients to make a run and get to the Final Four," said Sutton."
The Cowboys are not good enough to beat Texas without a nearly perfect game. OSU was far from perfect on Friday, although the Cowboys did lead 33-32 at halftime.
Then, OSU went nearly seven minutes into the second half without scoring, allowing Texas to build a 13-point lead.
OSU did get it down to three points with just more than three minutes to play.
But Texas is one of the best teams in the country for a reason.
When the game was one the line, Texas knew how to win. It put the game in the hands of Augustin.
"They find ways to make plays down the stretch," said Sutton.
Now, the speculation about Sutton's future and if OSU will play in the National Invitation Tournament can resume.
Sutton did not help his cause losing to the Longhorns. It was OSU's third loss in three tries to Texas this year.
That means Sutton went 0-5 against OSU's two biggest basketball rivals this season. A year ago, Sutton's Cowboys were embarrassed in an opening-round NIT loss to Marist. Sutton vowed at the time that he knew OSU fans expected more. Despite dramatic improvement during the season, the final result isn't much different from last year.
"If I was an athletic director, I'd give him high marks in everything," said Texas coach Rick Barnes, who has owned the Cowboys by winning the last five meetings with OSU.
There's little question the Cowboys have made huge strides through the season. Just how far will be determined in the near future.
Sutton is in just his second season, a short stint by any measuring stick.
And, most believe OSU has the core group of what should be a very good team next season.
"I think we're a team that never showed this year what we can do," said Obi Muonelo.
The last time Barnes lost to OSU was the sensational showdown in Stillwater early last year, when the Cowboys were ranked in the top 10 and were 18-3.
Things have not gone well for OSU or Sutton since.
But the late-season surge by the Cowboys has bolstered hopes for an OSU revival and perhaps given Sutton another year on the job.
"I was impressed watching their younger guys play," said Barnes.
And, the Suttons, despite the rocky ride in recent months, remain beloved by most OSU fans.
"He's family up there," said Barnes.
There's no reason for a quick divorce. Two years is not long enough. Sutton deserves another year to get the Cowboys back. He knows the level of expectations because he was a huge part of creating those expectations.
He deserves every opportunity to make it work.
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
3/15/2008
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton said he hasn't thought about the future.
He put all his efforts into beating Texas.
"Our whole focus was on winning this tournament," said Sutton. "I thought we were capable and thought we would win this game."
Sutton was wrong.
The Longhorns got the usual spectacular performance from D.J. Augustin, the nation's best point guard, and Damion James hurt OSU on the interior in a 66-59 victory on Friday in the Big 12 Conference Tournament quarterfinals at the Sprint Center.
Many believe OSU will land in the National Invitation Tournament, a long way from the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament.
"I'm disappointed we will not be in the NCAA Tournament," said Sutton.
So are OSU fans, who will now be sitting on the outside of the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year. Five years ago, State was in the Final Four. Four years ago, the Cowboys advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
It has been a rapid and dramatic fall. It is the reason why Sutton has remained the focus of rumors much of this season.
"I think our team has grown up a lot," said Sutton. "We started out with not much experience."
O-State appeared overmatched in most of this game, although the Cowboys stayed within striking distance with some 3-point shooting late in the game.
"We lost again to a great team," said Sutton.
Yes, the Longhorns are good. Most believe Texas is good enough to make a run to the Final Four and have a good shot at winning the national title.
"They have the ingredients to make a run and get to the Final Four," said Sutton."
The Cowboys are not good enough to beat Texas without a nearly perfect game. OSU was far from perfect on Friday, although the Cowboys did lead 33-32 at halftime.
Then, OSU went nearly seven minutes into the second half without scoring, allowing Texas to build a 13-point lead.
OSU did get it down to three points with just more than three minutes to play.
But Texas is one of the best teams in the country for a reason.
When the game was one the line, Texas knew how to win. It put the game in the hands of Augustin.
"They find ways to make plays down the stretch," said Sutton.
Now, the speculation about Sutton's future and if OSU will play in the National Invitation Tournament can resume.
Sutton did not help his cause losing to the Longhorns. It was OSU's third loss in three tries to Texas this year.
That means Sutton went 0-5 against OSU's two biggest basketball rivals this season. A year ago, Sutton's Cowboys were embarrassed in an opening-round NIT loss to Marist. Sutton vowed at the time that he knew OSU fans expected more. Despite dramatic improvement during the season, the final result isn't much different from last year.
"If I was an athletic director, I'd give him high marks in everything," said Texas coach Rick Barnes, who has owned the Cowboys by winning the last five meetings with OSU.
There's little question the Cowboys have made huge strides through the season. Just how far will be determined in the near future.
Sutton is in just his second season, a short stint by any measuring stick.
And, most believe OSU has the core group of what should be a very good team next season.
"I think we're a team that never showed this year what we can do," said Obi Muonelo.
The last time Barnes lost to OSU was the sensational showdown in Stillwater early last year, when the Cowboys were ranked in the top 10 and were 18-3.
Things have not gone well for OSU or Sutton since.
But the late-season surge by the Cowboys has bolstered hopes for an OSU revival and perhaps given Sutton another year on the job.
"I was impressed watching their younger guys play," said Barnes.
And, the Suttons, despite the rocky ride in recent months, remain beloved by most OSU fans.
"He's family up there," said Barnes.
There's no reason for a quick divorce. Two years is not long enough. Sutton deserves another year to get the Cowboys back. He knows the level of expectations because he was a huge part of creating those expectations.
He deserves every opportunity to make it work.