Five thoughts on OSU’s 64-59 Loss to Iowa State

BOX SCORE

The Cowboys managed to once again jump out to an early lead only to squander it with a 64-59 loss at home to the Cyclones on Saturday afternoon. Here’s my five thoughts from the contest on Saturday.

1. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish

The problem with this team isn’t the start. For much of the season this team has gotten off to hot start’s in the first half, looking the part of a Big 12 team with the tools to at least make some noise within the league. But as the saying goes, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And finishing isn’t this team Forte. Oklahoma State is now 2-8 in games decided by five points or less this season. If that were closer to .500, an argument could be made the team is on the wrong end of good fortune. But 2-8 is a trend.

2. This team looks way different without Jawun Evans

Sure, this team can manage in bunches without their No. 1 guy. But talent usually wins out, even at home. And that was the case on Saturday. (I’ll be honest, I wrote those previous two sentences in the first half).

OSU’s best players are riding the pine in Evans and Forte, and it may be looking like both may be out for an extended period – not just Forte. With teams usually making deep runs in the tournament, many are propelled by impressive backcourt play. But without a true point guard besides Tyree Griffin, this team was totally out of sorts. They managed a measly 22 points in the first half, and flat out looked lost on offense without their guy.

3. Mitch Solomon probably shouldn’t start anymore

I’m not saying he shouldn’t see the floor, but I’m just not 100% convinced he’s our best option at center. He continues to play timid down low and looks more awkward than me at my junior prom. His couple of three-point shot attempts looked good coming out of his hands, but missed terribly. I’m all on the #MitchforThree train, but he’s a center — his development down low should be much farther along than it is. He needs to be more aggressive down low to be a bigger threat to open things up for the guards outside. He’s not great on the pick and roll, and his physicality is often overmatched. I like him starting at the 4, but then again….who else is going to play the 5 spot?

It’s pretty clear whatever they’re doing isn’t working. Why not try Anthony Allen and Mitchell on the floor at the same time for an extended period? Are we above experimentation?

4. These games are all too predictable

How many games have we jumped ahead to an early lead, fallen way behind, surge late and come up short in the end this season? I’m not saying it has anything to do with the coaching or players, but I feel like the mental state of both could really be hurting at this point. I’ve played basketball before, and if this were the trend….It’s hard not to think “oh not again” once the other team makes a surge. I’ll give it to the team: they make it tough on the opponent. They fight until the end. Just seems like same show different day.

5. Jeffrey Carroll!

Clip gonna Clip, right? He was 4-7 from 3-point range and had the team high with 18 points to go with 7 rebounds. With Evans out, he stepped up big-time. For the most part, you can rely on Hammonds to give you around 12 but Newberry/Carroll/Olivier seem to be the x-factor every game. Who knows how long Evans will be out, but perhaps this is a sign of Carroll’s emergence as a consistent scoring threat.