Daily Bullets (April 24)

Point Guard Depth

After landing some help this weekend, Boynton has accrued some solid options for his first year.

The (Kendall Smith) 6-3 190 pound guard, was a top 100 players out of high school at Deer Valley (Antioch, CA) who originally played for UNLV before transferring to Cal State Northridge for his junior and senior seasons. He averaged 16.7 points and 4.8 assists last year.

His being able to play immediately gives Oklahoma State three viable options at point guard after Jawun Evans turned pro early and declared for the NBA Draft. Back-up point guard Brandon Averette returns off a solid freshman season and there is standout incoming freshman Zack Dawson from Miami, Fla., and now the immediate addition on Smith. [GoPokes $$$]

Dawson is the future, Smith is the present and Averette will provide some stable minutes off the bench. I love the size of Smith (6’3″, 190 pounds) and Dawson (6’4″, 180 pounds) on the perimeter. Those guys playing alongside Lindy Waters and Davon Dillard will be tougher to shoot over/drive by.

It’s Fine

From a reporter who sees the program up close, the defense is inspiring confidence.

There’s a need for new starting corners, which can’t be oversold in a league like the Big 12. And there’s a reliance on several young and unproven players at every level of the defense, which comes with risk.

And yet, knowing nods and smiles amid conversations with coaches suggest more confidence than concern on that side of the ball.

“I don’t think there’s any question we’re going to be pretty good up front,” said Cowboys coach Mike Gundy. “We’re going to be two-deep across the board at our ends and tackles. And we’ve got linebackers. So, I feel good about where we’re at.

“We’ve just got to get some good corner play as we move on into the season.” [NewsOK]

Mike Holder doesn’t pay me millions but the sense of confidence around the defense coming from Stillwater seems awful rosy. The Fayetteville Felon is the only guy that makes me tremble but losing two starters on each level is a challenge to overcome.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Pokes took the series on Sunday from no. 3 Texas Tech in Lubbock (!)….Softball sealed the weekend sweep of the Lady Red Raiders in Stillwater on this play….Breakdown of how transfer guard Kendall Smith played against Power Five teams….Quick look at Baylor’s new offense (big changes)….UGA cuts a four-star lineman on the spot for alleged domestic violence charges (while in town for spring game)

Cowgirl Tennis brought home the Big 12 title:

For the second-straight year, your Cowgirls are #Big12TEN regular season champions! #okstate pic.twitter.com/O0d6CAyL99

— OSU Women's Tennis (@CowgirlTennis) April 23, 2017

No need to play any games this fall if Bama keeps getting breaks like this one.

Tua … it's tipped … TOUCHDOWN!

INSANE TD in the @AlabamaFTBL Spring Game. pic.twitter.com/n9nfSqBbed

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 22, 2017

Fun moment from Waco on Saturday, long time team manager scores a TD (context here):

? Clint Lewis runs it in for the Baylor TOUCHDOWN! #SicEm ? #SpringBU ? pic.twitter.com/hckisLVaYm

— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) April 22, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• A surefire, two-deep defensive end Jordan Brailford had shoulder surgery
• OSU offered a four-star power forward over the weekend
• Check out the Pokes top targets at running back
• Marcus Smart called out by a Chicago Bull after a feud

Other Stuff I’m Reading

Ringer writes on the strangest things from Sunday‘s Thunder/Rockets ending….The always great Zach Lowe “Luke Walton All-Stars”….Three things brick-and-mortar stores are changing to compete….Crazy that the Clippers haven’t won more but those darn injuries

Russ-Berry Tramel round two was super awkward. Berry’s response was super classy.

Russ was NOT having it ? pic.twitter.com/JLTG7H3R7I

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 23, 2017