Jayme Hollingsworth scouts the Oklahoma State Cowboys

The 25-5 (13-4) Houston Cougars will look to wrap up the #2 spot in the Big 12 tournament with a road win at 18-12 (6-11) Oklahoma State Saturday morning in Stillwater. Cowboy head coach Steve Lutz has done a great job in his second year at OSU. They have several really good guards who can shoot from outside and get into the paint to score or draw fouls.

The “Head of the Snake” in this one is sharp-shooter Anthony Roy. He is one of the best outside shooters, not only in the Big 12, but also in the country. The journeyman is at his SIXTH college and is having a great season. He is in the top 10 in the Big 12 in three-point attempts, makes, and percentage. The Coogs will probably let Emanuel Sharp guard him and look to cut him off.

In the past, this would be a game the fans could circle as an easy win. I believe Coach Lutz has the program moving in the right direction, and they have had great crowds this season. I would expect the atmosphere to be electric for a Saturday morning game vs an elite Houston program. This one could be interesting, but I like the Coogs to win and solidify 2nd place in the Big 12.

Oklahoma State Offensive Notes

The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the nation, ranked #26 in scoring offense, averaging 84 points per game (3rd Big 12). They have several outstanding shooters as well as guys who can get downhill to score or draw fouls.
OSU has several guys coming off the bench that can bring instant offense. They lead the Big 12 in bench points per game (28).
They are guard-heavy and look to push the ball in transition and take quick shots, ranking 55th nationally in fast-break points (13.5 per game). They will look to play even faster without center Parsa Fallah, who was recently injured and will miss the remainder of the season.
As I mentioned above, the Cowboy guards love to get in the paint and draw fouls. They attempt (25) and make (18) the second most free throws in the Big 12, only trailing Arizona.
Oklahoma State isn’t a great three-point shooting percentage team. They make 35% of their attempts, which ranks them #11 in the league.
Although they are guard-led, the Pokes are not great at protecting the ball. They are ranked #255 nationally and #15 in the Big 12, averaging 12 turnovers per game.

Cowboys Defensive Notes

They only play man-to-man defense. They try to blitz pick-and-rolls similar to UH. I don’t think it will affect Kingston or Milos, and they should be able to create open shots or paint touches if they move the ball quickly.
OSU will press occasionally. They run a man-to-man, full-court press and a 1-2-1-1 “Diamond” press at times.
Ok State does a good job on the defensive glass. They are the 3rd-ranked team in the Big 12 at keeping the boards clean. Houston thrives on offensive rebounds, so it will be a chess match on the glass.
The Pokes are one of the worst defensive teams in college hoops. They are ranked #347 out of 361 teams in scoring defense, giving up 83 points per game. Their opponents have made 35% of their three-point attempts, which ranks 14th in the Big 12. Helloooo Emanuel Sharp and friends!

Oklahoma State Personnel (*Indicates likely starters)

*#9 – Anthony Roy – 6’5″ – SR – Guard – (San Francisco, Wenatchee Valley, New Mexico State, Langston, Green Bay) – 17ppg, 4rpg.

Head of the Snake;
LEFTY!
MVP World Traveler! At his 6th college, and you’ve probably never heard of one or two of ‘em;
He’s looking to come in spraying threes. He made his first three on Wednesday night 4 seconds into the game. Three-level scorer;
65% of his shot attempts are from beyond the arc (81-204, 40%);
Roy is ranked in the top 10 in the Big 12 in three-point attempts (204), makes (81), and percentage (40%);
Nice step-back jumper. Can get to the rim or shoot the floater;
Draws a lot of fouls due to his awkward shooting form.

*#1 – Kanye Clary – 6’0″ – JR – Guard – (Penn State, Mississippi State) – 10ppg, 3rpg, 5apg.

LEFTY!
Small point guard (probably closer to 5’9″). One of my least favorite players to watch in the Big 12;
Does a good job getting his teammates involved (5apg);
Not bad at using his small size to get in the paint to score or distribute;
Pretty good three-point shooter (34-98, 35%);
Watch out for the leg kick when contesting his shot!! He’s a good player, but that crap makes me mad to watch. Refs continue bailing him out for acting like he’s been hit by a sniper, while he is flopping around like a fish out of water.

*#4 – Christian Coleman – 6’8″ – SR – Forward – (LSU Alexandra, South Plains CC, UAB) – 10ppg, 5rpg.

From UAB, so obviously he’s good! Go Blazers!
Former JUCO teammate of Coog big man Kalifa Sakho;
Tall, athletic forward. Loves to play above the rim;
Leads their team in blocked shots and defensive rebounds;
Does a nice job taking the ball off the bounce to score in the paint.
Not a great three-point shooter (14-47, 30%);

*#23 – Benjamin Ahmed – 6’10” – FR – Center – 3ppg, 3rpg.

MASSIVE post player;
Pretty good finisher around the rim. Excellent screen setter;
Nice footwork. I’d seriously look at him as an offensive tackle.
Has a few dunks, but is a below-the-rim guy for the most part;

*#24 – Ryan Crotty – 6’6″ – FR – Guard – 3ppg, 2rpg.

Has started their last 4 games, but only has 3 total points in those games. He only played 6 minutes on Tuesday against UCF, so he may be returning to the bench;
Tall, rangy shooting guard; Long wing span;
49 of his 57 field goal attempts have been from three-point land, but he’s not shooting a great percentage for a guard from out there (15-49, 31%);
Loves the corner three-pointer.

#19 – Andrija Vukovic – 6’11” – SO – Forward – 5ppg, 3rpg.

Tall forward that does most of his work in the paint;
Not an outside shooting threat (1-3, 33%);
Really good roller in the pick and roll game. Houston’s blitz should slow that down;
Not bad with his back to the basket. Decent right-handed hook shot over left shoulder;

#5 – Vyctorius “VJ” Miller – 6’5″ – SO – Guard – (LSU) – 12ppg, 3rpg, 2apg, 1spg.

Mercy Miller’s cousin; Son of “Silkk the Shocker”;
Tall/thin three-level scoring guard. Looking to bring instant offense;
Solid three-point shooter (43-111; 39%). Can shoot from DEEP;
Good mid-range jumper off the bounce;
Capable of getting to the rim, but would prefer to take a jumper.

#0 – Jaylen Curry – 6’1″ – JR – Guard – (UMASS) – 10ppg, 3rpg, 4apg.

LEFTY!
Athletic/three-level scoring guard off the bench;
Prefers to get to the rim when he’s able with his left hand;
Pretty good pull-up jumper off the bounce;
Capable, but average three-point shooter (20-63, 32%). Another threat to kick his leg out on his three-point shot.

#21 – Isaiah Coleman – 6’5″ – JR – Guard – (Seton Hall) – 6ppg, 4rpg.

Super athletic guard off the bench;
Horrendous outside shooter, (2-25, .080%). And a 57% free throw shooter;
Electric finisher on the fast break;
At his best when driving to score in the paint.

What I’ll Be Watching…

Extra opportunities on offense: The Coogs need to create extra opportunities on offense. OK State does a nice job of defensive rebounding. The Coogs need to attack the offensive glass and create some live-ball turnovers to get easy buckets.
Foul trouble: The Cowboys are one of the top teams in the nation at drawing fouls. Their two small guards are BIG-TIME floppers. The Coogs will need to play extremely smart and not allow them to score without the clock running.
Pace of play: I could be wrong, but I think this game will be fast-paced and high scoring. OSU is guard-led and wants to take quick shots on offense. Houston has looked to play faster lately. I would look for that trend to continue Saturday morning.

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