JimBob
12-31-2007, 08:52 AM
Anderson put to test early
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
12/31/2007
After being stifled against Pitt and ORU, freshman must adjust.
Remember how Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton did his brother a "favor" by scheduling Oral Roberts for the sake of national television exposure?
Scott Sutton, who coaches ORU, did Sean a favor, too. Sort of.
And so did Pittsburgh. Sort of.
Before Pitt and ORU popped up on OSU's schedule, Cowboy freshman James Anderson scored in double digits every game of his collegiate career. He made the jump from Junction City, Ark., to Division I basketball seem like a piece of cake.
But Pitt and ORU clamped down on Anderson, limiting him to a two-game total of eight points. They were physical with Anderson (who was battling a groin injury) and concentrated on taking away his tendencies.
How can that be construed as a favor?
Sean Sutton said Anderson is fortunate this development occurred before Big 12 play begins. It was likely going to happen eventually, since the Big 12 is a step up physically and offense gets harder to come by because league teams scout each other to death.
Now the ball is in Anderson's court. He has three more games to evolve -- including a New Year's Eve date with Natchitoches, La.-based Northwestern State -- before a Jan. 12 league opener against Texas Tech.
Anderson got back in the double figure business by scoring 15 points in OSU's most recent game, a homecourt victory over Texas-Arlington, but is 5-of-26 from the field and 3-of-13 from 3-point range in his last three games.
Sean Sutton believes Anderson is too special to stay in a slump. The guy who did them the "favor" agrees.
"He's too talented," Scott Sutton said when asked about Anderson.
"I think there is always a learning process for newcomers. That's why there's always an adjustment. He's a kid that played, I believe, at a small-level high school. He didn't see the competition that he's seeing (now) -- maybe on the AAU circuit.
"But he will adjust and those guys will get him playing and take what the defense gives them, because (opponents) are going to take away his perimeter shot. He is too good of a shooter and he is going to have to do a good job of working to get open and also create some shots on his own. But he is a young player who is very talented and he will make those adjustments."
Anderson leads OSU with a 17.2 scoring average and likely will draw the opposing team's best defender in every remaining game this season. He was held scoreless by ORU defensive stopper Yemi Ogunoye. It marked the first time a Cowboy go-to guard was shut out since JamesOn Curry scored zero points in a 68-64 homecourt loss to Northwestern State two seasons ago.
Northwestern State, Florida Atlantic and Marist are the only nonconference opponents to beat OSU in the last 145 games at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Demons team that ambushed the Cowboys won a first-round NCAA Tournament game later that season against a third-seeded Iowa team.
OSU has won seven of eight meetings against Northwestern State, including a 79-76 "revenge" game last season.
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
12/31/2007
After being stifled against Pitt and ORU, freshman must adjust.
Remember how Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton did his brother a "favor" by scheduling Oral Roberts for the sake of national television exposure?
Scott Sutton, who coaches ORU, did Sean a favor, too. Sort of.
And so did Pittsburgh. Sort of.
Before Pitt and ORU popped up on OSU's schedule, Cowboy freshman James Anderson scored in double digits every game of his collegiate career. He made the jump from Junction City, Ark., to Division I basketball seem like a piece of cake.
But Pitt and ORU clamped down on Anderson, limiting him to a two-game total of eight points. They were physical with Anderson (who was battling a groin injury) and concentrated on taking away his tendencies.
How can that be construed as a favor?
Sean Sutton said Anderson is fortunate this development occurred before Big 12 play begins. It was likely going to happen eventually, since the Big 12 is a step up physically and offense gets harder to come by because league teams scout each other to death.
Now the ball is in Anderson's court. He has three more games to evolve -- including a New Year's Eve date with Natchitoches, La.-based Northwestern State -- before a Jan. 12 league opener against Texas Tech.
Anderson got back in the double figure business by scoring 15 points in OSU's most recent game, a homecourt victory over Texas-Arlington, but is 5-of-26 from the field and 3-of-13 from 3-point range in his last three games.
Sean Sutton believes Anderson is too special to stay in a slump. The guy who did them the "favor" agrees.
"He's too talented," Scott Sutton said when asked about Anderson.
"I think there is always a learning process for newcomers. That's why there's always an adjustment. He's a kid that played, I believe, at a small-level high school. He didn't see the competition that he's seeing (now) -- maybe on the AAU circuit.
"But he will adjust and those guys will get him playing and take what the defense gives them, because (opponents) are going to take away his perimeter shot. He is too good of a shooter and he is going to have to do a good job of working to get open and also create some shots on his own. But he is a young player who is very talented and he will make those adjustments."
Anderson leads OSU with a 17.2 scoring average and likely will draw the opposing team's best defender in every remaining game this season. He was held scoreless by ORU defensive stopper Yemi Ogunoye. It marked the first time a Cowboy go-to guard was shut out since JamesOn Curry scored zero points in a 68-64 homecourt loss to Northwestern State two seasons ago.
Northwestern State, Florida Atlantic and Marist are the only nonconference opponents to beat OSU in the last 145 games at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Demons team that ambushed the Cowboys won a first-round NCAA Tournament game later that season against a third-seeded Iowa team.
OSU has won seven of eight meetings against Northwestern State, including a 79-76 "revenge" game last season.