Oklahoma State is a young team – two freshmen and a sophomore in the starting lineup – beginning to put it together, at least at home. They’re 0-5 this season on the road (0-4 in Big 12 with three blowout losses). I studied Oklahoma State’s last two games – at Kansas and Kansas State – for this scouting report.

the daily #186 | 2/6/2024 | Archives

OSU Overview

The Cowboys are just an ok team. They aren’t great at anything, which is why they are 10-12 (2-7). Like the Coogs, they are best on offense when moving the ball and not playing one-on-one. They have a few good players, and the future is bright if they all stick together.

They are a solid three-point shooting team. They are ranked in the top 50 nationally in three-point attempts and makes. I think the Coogs win big in this one, as long as there is no hangover from the KU game.
.

Head of the Snake

I really like freshman big man #23 Brandon Garrison. He has a huge upside and will be a future star in the Big 12 if he doesn’t leave early for the NBA draft. John-Michael Wright can shoot the three and could give the Coogs problems if he gets open shots. But the “head of the snake” is guard #12 Javon Small.

Small is a nice shooter who can create for himself and make tough shots. He leads the team in three-point attempts and makes and can shoot beyond the NBA three-point line. He is also solid at getting into the paint to score or to kick out to an open shooter. I suspect he gets the “Jamal Shead Treatment” and struggles against the Coogs, but he is their “go-to guy”.

OSU Offense

They LOVE to shoot the three!; #38 in the nation in three-point attempts per game with 25.8; Top 50 in the nation in three-pointers made per game with 9;
They like to run in transition when possible:

OSU Defense

Primarily play halfcourt M2M defense;
Likely to run some 1-3-1 zone defense;
May try some fullcourt M2M pressure defense;
Struggle vs the post. Feed the big guys!

OSU Personnel

*#12 Javon Small 6’3″ Jr. – 14ppg, 5rpg, 5apg

Three-level scoring guard;
Head of the Snake;
Solid three-point shooter. Leads team in attempts and makes. Can shoot it from DEEP;
Good at scoring off the bounce:

*#23 Brandon Garrison 6’11” Fr. – 7ppg, 6rpg

Long/athletic post player;
2023 McDonald’s All-American. EXTREMELY high upside;
Really good rebounder;
Terrific in the post. Nice left-hand hook shot;
Solid in the pick and roll;
Capable of stepping out to shoot;
Good shot blocker:

*#51 John-Michael Wright 6’1″ Gr. – 8ppg, 1rpg (High Point)

Smaller shooting guard;
Outstanding scorer. Has over 2,000 career points;
Solid three-point shooter, 2nd on the team in attempts;
Likes to kick his leg out on his shot to draw fouls:

*#5 Quion Williams 6’5″ So. – 7ppg, 6rpg

Very athletic guard;
Capable three-point shooter;
Best when getting to the rim. LOVES TO GO RIGHT:

*#13 Connor Dow 6’6″ Fr. – 2ppg, 2rpg

Tall shooter;
Has been starting; Doesn’t play a ton of minutes;
Prefers to shoot the three; Shooting 10% from three in their last three games.

#2 Eric Dailey Jr. 6’8″ Fr. – 10ppg, 5rpg

LEFTY;
Plays starter minutes;
Capable of making a three-pointer, but prefers the mid-range/shot in the paint;
Solid mid-range shooter:

#14 Jamyron Keller 6’3″ Fr. – 5ppg, 1rpg

Stocky guard;
Very pesky defender;
Solid at getting to the basket;
Capable three-point shooter:

#4 Jarius Hicklen 6’4″ Gr. – 6ppg, 1rpg (Oklahoma Baptist/North Florida)

Really good three-point shooter;

#21 Justin McBride 6’8″ Fr. – 3ppg, 1rpg

Long Wing;
Solid three-point shooter.

#32 Mike Marsh 6’10” RS Sr. – 5ppg, 3rpg (Jacksonville)

Big post player;
Doesn’t play a ton;
Not bad around the basket.

#1 Bryce Thompson 6’6″ Sr. – 12ppg, 2rpg (Kansas)

Injured vs Kansas and not expected to play.

Keys to Victory

Don’t underestimate them. The Cowboys have wins over Kansas State and West Virginia and played Baylor extremely close. They’re a decent, young team getting better as the season progresses. And when they are making the three, they can pull an upset. This game is a good opportunity for the Coogs to bounce back after the loss at Kansas. However, they cannot look past OSU.
Locate their shooters. They shoot a ton of three-pointers. I would expect the Coogs to monster Garrison in the post. UH will have to do a good job locating the shooters on the skip pass.
Defensive Transition. The Cowboys will run when they have the opportunity. They have a few guys that will shoot the three in transition, and the Coogs will need to locate them and not allow wide-open shots.
Force them to play one-on-one on offense. Random stat alert: Oklahoma State is 9-2 this season when they have at least 15 assists in the game. Force them to take tough, one-on-one shots on offense.
Feed the post. OK State does not guard the post well. The UH big guys should feast on tonight. Garrison is very talented but still young and goes for every pump fake. Time for J’Wan to take him to school.