TW:OSU's: The Breakdown

[JimBob]

OSU's: The Breakdown


By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
1/14/2008


Looking back

OSU began last week with the opposite of a moral victory (a nine-point win over NAIA opponent Rogers State) and ended it with a runaway triumph over Texas Tech in a Big 12 opener at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys denied Red Raiders coach Bob Knight his 900th career win.

The week ahead

Tuesday: at Baylor, 7 p.m.

Saturday: at Iowa State, 12:45 p.m. The million dollar question is when will OSU's road drought end? The Cowboys have lost 14 consecutive road games since a Feb. 4, 2006, victory at Kansas State. The Pokes get two chances to end the skid this week at Baylor (13-2) and Iowa State (10-6). OSU lost at Baylor last season when Mario Boggan was serving a one-game suspension for head-butting a Kansas State player. The Cowboys lost their last trip to Iowa State two seasons ago.

uf0 The big picture

Why did the Cowboys look better on Saturday?

A season-best crowd may have had something to do with it, but OSU played defense at a higher level. "We just played as a unit," said Obi Muonelo. The Cowboys played "help" defense when someone got beat off the dribble and limited the Red Raiders to their oisecond-lowest point total this season.

What got into Muonelo?

The sophomore guard came off the bench to score 21 points, his most ever at Gallagher-Iba Arena, and bombed Texas Tech into submission by making 3-pointers on four consecutive possessions. Muonelo, who struggled early this season, believes he is finally healthy. He missed much of last season with an injury.

How about the freshman class?

Five freshmen -- Ibrahima Thomas, James Anderson, Nick Sidorakis, Martavius Adams and Marshall Moses -- made their Big 12 debut. They combined for 35 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists in 86 minutes. Thomas was nervous because of a big crowd, but collected a career-best 16 points and eight rebounds.

[OSU-DNA]

We were significantly more athletic than TT, the game should not have been close. No doubt a wonderful win, when you hit 3 pointers like we did you will generally blow most teams out.

Concerns.
-Fouling problems versus a less athletic team. Given the bozos that officiated we might be using these same guys on the road and it would be extremely challenging to overcome those foul issues outside of GIA.
-Foul specific problems:
*Eaton, we live or die with his play, he needs to understand this and play under control. As soon as he was out of the game TT pressed us bringing the ball up the court. Against a better team we will be really struggling.
*Harris, 3rd year player usually not against an outstanding player getting in foul trouble unacceptable.
*IT, we need him on the floor, perhaps bringing him in at the first time out when he has had the opportunity of watching the player he would guard might eliminate his first foul or even his second which generally come quickly.
-Harris needs to eliminate the roller coaster. Playing against a player that was slower than he is, Harris has to get open and hit shots.
-Dove drives to the basket, he needs to know when 4 people are packed down deep to kick it out after his second step.

Positives:
-Obi, continued improvement, mobility returning.
-IT upside will be fantastic
-Anderson, better player after the break. Will need at least another year to learn the defense.
-Dove, I wish his offense has started to develop last year. Really pleasing to see the change.
-Eaton, improved shot, knows he is to be the leader.

[okstatepike]

This years freshman cllass (not just Anderson) actually gives me a lot of hope for the future. I certainly hope the powers that be let Sean have one more year at least to work with them. I feel like there will be a real corner to be turned next year.

[Verb]

This years freshman cllass (not just Anderson) actually gives me a lot of hope for the future. I certainly hope the powers that be let Sean have one more year at least to work with them. I feel like there will be a real corner to be turned next year.

Luckily for us (and for Sean), the powers that be are NOT those idiots on *that other* message board who have an inexplicable and intense hatred for Sean.