JimBob
01-02-2008, 07:51 AM
Alum ready to 'whip' Pokes
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
1/2/2008
UTSA, confident Brooks Thompson head to Stillwater.
Sixteen seasons have passed since Brooks Thompson first arrived at Oklahoma State, but this has not changed: He still wants to beat the Cowboy starters.
Thompson, a former OSU guard, is a second-year head coach at Texas-San Antonio and will face his alma mater Wednesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Pressed for a tale about Thompson, former OSU coach Eddie Sutton recalled the ex-player's first season on campus. Thompson was sitting out a redshirt year after transferring from Texas A&M. Also redshirting that season was mid-semester transfer Randy Rutherford.
Thompson and Rutherford rank among the best shooters in school history and, even though they couldn't play in games their first season, they competed so fiercely in practices that scrimmages became the stuff of legend.
Keep in mind that the starters Thompson and Rutherford were scrimmaging against began the 1991-92 season with a school-record 20-game winning streak.
"I love Brooks, but he was pretty mouthy at times," Sutton said. "They thought they were better than the (starting) team that was playing."
Sutton said Thompson and some of the other reserves ribbed the starters (Byron Houston and Co.) so much that it almost led to fights.
Rutherford, now OSU's assistant strength and conditioning coach, said he didn't talk trash to the varsity back in the day. "But Brooks was a smack-talker," Rutherford said. "He was very confident. He ran his mouth a lot."
Same old Thompson, at least as far as confidence is concerned.
"There is no question they are coming in here to whip our butt," Rutherford said in regard to Thompson bringing the Roadrunners to Stillwater.
"They will be ready to go. His arrogance, as I always called it, or confidence, will serve him well in the coaching business."
Thompson still kids Rutherford that Rutherford is the second-greatest shooter ever to play at OSU. Thompson ranks himself first, of course. Rutherford, the Cowboys' career leader in 3-pointers made, said he will let the stats speak for themselves. It also should be noted that Cowboy head coach Sean Sutton is the school's career leader in 3-point percentage.
Eddie Sutton said Thompson is a "terrific young man" the Cowboys were fortunate to get when Thompson chose to leave Texas A&M after two seasons.
Thompson blossomed beyond expectations and became one of six OSU first-round NBA Draft picks during the Eddie Sutton era. Thompson owns the ninth-best career scoring average in school history and ranks 10th in assists and second in steals despite wearing orange-and-black for only two seasons.
For the second consecutive season, Thompson will return to the white maple floor where he once played. UTSA was beaten 84-47 by OSU last season. The Roadrunners are 6-5 this season and and need one more win to match the victory total of a 7-22 campaign in Thompson's "rookie" season at the helm.
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
1/2/2008
UTSA, confident Brooks Thompson head to Stillwater.
Sixteen seasons have passed since Brooks Thompson first arrived at Oklahoma State, but this has not changed: He still wants to beat the Cowboy starters.
Thompson, a former OSU guard, is a second-year head coach at Texas-San Antonio and will face his alma mater Wednesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Pressed for a tale about Thompson, former OSU coach Eddie Sutton recalled the ex-player's first season on campus. Thompson was sitting out a redshirt year after transferring from Texas A&M. Also redshirting that season was mid-semester transfer Randy Rutherford.
Thompson and Rutherford rank among the best shooters in school history and, even though they couldn't play in games their first season, they competed so fiercely in practices that scrimmages became the stuff of legend.
Keep in mind that the starters Thompson and Rutherford were scrimmaging against began the 1991-92 season with a school-record 20-game winning streak.
"I love Brooks, but he was pretty mouthy at times," Sutton said. "They thought they were better than the (starting) team that was playing."
Sutton said Thompson and some of the other reserves ribbed the starters (Byron Houston and Co.) so much that it almost led to fights.
Rutherford, now OSU's assistant strength and conditioning coach, said he didn't talk trash to the varsity back in the day. "But Brooks was a smack-talker," Rutherford said. "He was very confident. He ran his mouth a lot."
Same old Thompson, at least as far as confidence is concerned.
"There is no question they are coming in here to whip our butt," Rutherford said in regard to Thompson bringing the Roadrunners to Stillwater.
"They will be ready to go. His arrogance, as I always called it, or confidence, will serve him well in the coaching business."
Thompson still kids Rutherford that Rutherford is the second-greatest shooter ever to play at OSU. Thompson ranks himself first, of course. Rutherford, the Cowboys' career leader in 3-pointers made, said he will let the stats speak for themselves. It also should be noted that Cowboy head coach Sean Sutton is the school's career leader in 3-point percentage.
Eddie Sutton said Thompson is a "terrific young man" the Cowboys were fortunate to get when Thompson chose to leave Texas A&M after two seasons.
Thompson blossomed beyond expectations and became one of six OSU first-round NBA Draft picks during the Eddie Sutton era. Thompson owns the ninth-best career scoring average in school history and ranks 10th in assists and second in steals despite wearing orange-and-black for only two seasons.
For the second consecutive season, Thompson will return to the white maple floor where he once played. UTSA was beaten 84-47 by OSU last season. The Roadrunners are 6-5 this season and and need one more win to match the victory total of a 7-22 campaign in Thompson's "rookie" season at the helm.