JimBob
01-03-2009, 08:23 AM
Anderson, Eaton heating up for OSU
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 1/3/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 1/3/2009 2:42 AM
STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State basketball program has a short history with McDonald's All-Americans:
Glendon Alexander transferred to OSU after starting his career at Arkansas.
Gerald Green signed with OSU and chose the NBA.
Byron Eaton and James Anderson are the only two former McDonald's All-Americans to sign with OSU while in high school — and then show up for work.
Big expectations are part of the deal if you make a McDonald's roster. Lately, OSU's ex-McDonald's All-Americans have been as golden as the arches.
Anderson and Eaton combined for 89 points the last two games. They'll try to stay in a groove when OSU hosts Northwestern (La.) State on Saturday.
For the Cowboys to reach big-picture goals this season, do the McDonald's dudes have to play like McDonald's All-Americans?
"As far as McDonald's All-American, that was four years ago for me," Eaton said. "That was just a thing in high school."
What's more important, said Eaton, is that he and Anderson — and other core Cowboys — play up to their potential.
"I've said all year long that we're a team that has very small room for error," OSU coach Travis Ford said.
Ford said Eaton, Anderson, Terrel Harris and Obi Muonelo must produce in order for the depth-shy Cowboys to win games.
Anderson is riding the hottest streak of his career. He is averaging 23 points over the last three games and scored a career-best 33 in a victory over Rhode Island.
"I think James is progressing as well as any player I have ever coached," Ford said.
Eaton will play his 114th game in an OSU uniform, tying Royce Jeffries for 17th place on the school's all-time list.
In the eighth game of Eaton's career, the Cowboys were beaten by Northwestern State. It is one of two nonconference home defeats for OSU since 1987.
"I'm not playing for revenge," Eaton said. "I'm playing to get better."
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 1/3/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 1/3/2009 2:42 AM
STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State basketball program has a short history with McDonald's All-Americans:
Glendon Alexander transferred to OSU after starting his career at Arkansas.
Gerald Green signed with OSU and chose the NBA.
Byron Eaton and James Anderson are the only two former McDonald's All-Americans to sign with OSU while in high school — and then show up for work.
Big expectations are part of the deal if you make a McDonald's roster. Lately, OSU's ex-McDonald's All-Americans have been as golden as the arches.
Anderson and Eaton combined for 89 points the last two games. They'll try to stay in a groove when OSU hosts Northwestern (La.) State on Saturday.
For the Cowboys to reach big-picture goals this season, do the McDonald's dudes have to play like McDonald's All-Americans?
"As far as McDonald's All-American, that was four years ago for me," Eaton said. "That was just a thing in high school."
What's more important, said Eaton, is that he and Anderson — and other core Cowboys — play up to their potential.
"I've said all year long that we're a team that has very small room for error," OSU coach Travis Ford said.
Ford said Eaton, Anderson, Terrel Harris and Obi Muonelo must produce in order for the depth-shy Cowboys to win games.
Anderson is riding the hottest streak of his career. He is averaging 23 points over the last three games and scored a career-best 33 in a victory over Rhode Island.
"I think James is progressing as well as any player I have ever coached," Ford said.
Eaton will play his 114th game in an OSU uniform, tying Royce Jeffries for 17th place on the school's all-time list.
In the eighth game of Eaton's career, the Cowboys were beaten by Northwestern State. It is one of two nonconference home defeats for OSU since 1987.
"I'm not playing for revenge," Eaton said. "I'm playing to get better."