Brad Underwood Fine With Playing Five Guards Because … Warriors

Could Oklahoma State create its own version of Golden State’s Lineup of Death next season? Brad Underwood addressed size as a potential issue in the new Pokes squad he’s taken over.

“We were the smallest team in the NCAA Tournament the last three years [at Stephen F. Austin],” Underwood told Go Pokes. “Do I enjoy that? Night in and night out I know if you’d put Stephen F. Austin in the Big 12, night in and night out it’s going to take it’s toll.”

Not only was SFA the smallest in the NCAA Tournament, but it was also one of the smallest of the 350+ teams in the nation. Here’s a look at the last three years Underwood was at SFA.

2016: No. 341
2015: No. 332
2014: No. 334

Oklahoma State hasn’t been a lot bigger.

2016: No. 210
2015: No. 300
2014: No. 239

That was always an issue for Travis Ford, but will it be for Underwood? Sam Aldrich wrote about the difference in Underwood’s special offense that can basically eliminate positions to an extent.

“We’ve got good players, we’re going to continue to recruit really good players,” said Underwood. “Do we need some size? Absolutely. Is that a priority? Absolutely. Is it a must to win? Golden State just played five guards. I think I want skilled players. I’m not going to get wrapped up just so we look good in a warm-up line or in the airport.”

I love that. And think about the possibilities with this 2016-17 OSU squad. You could reasonably roll out Jawun Evans, Phil Forte, Clip at the three, Hammonds at the four and Mitch Solomon at the five.

Or you could even move Tyrek Coger to the five. That’s a tiny five, but it’s also fast one that can (presumably) shoot. Coger mentioned to us playing the four, but why not the five?

“They think I can be a big impact at the four to rebound, pass, score — basically a threat in the backcourt,” Coger told PFB. “With the great guards we have, we have a really good chance to make a big run in the tournament.”

That could be your homeless man’s Death Lineup (obviously they are nowhere near an even collegiate version of GSW). You have to make shots, but OSU could feasibly run a version of this.

You would have also some issues on defense, but I like the way Underwood is thinking.