Notebook: Oklahoma State-Iowa State

Oklahoma State came out guns ablazing at home on Saturday, but ultimately came up on the short end once again in a close contest against the Cyclones, 64-59. Here’s my leftover notebook from the game. You can read my five thoughts on the game here.

• Oklahoma State came out HOT, but I’m still not encouraged – yet. Starting the first half hot has never been a problem, it’s the second half that has been the chief concern.
• I’m not sure I still quite understand why Mitchell Solomon continues to start. He is a hustle guy, which I get. But just because J.W. Walsh is the hardest worker, does that mean he deserved to start? The thing is — do we want Anthony Allen to start in place of him? We don’t have many options.
• Chris Olivier has been doing work down low in the post scoring wise. However I’m not sure I’ve actually seen him jump off the floor.
• Kyle’s probably in wine country right now and I’m stuck here watching this heavyweight battle. 20-18 with 3:26 remaining. Offense is hard to come by so far….
• Leyton Hammonds again coming out hot in the first half. He has 12 so far, but, just like the team, the start hasn’t been the issue. Needs to show up in the second half, too.
• Iowa State’s first 18 points — ALL from three point range. (6-of-10)!!
• I’ve seen Mitch Solomon attempt TWO first-half three-pointers. Both terribly awful attempts that weren’t even close.
• Proof that there is no game plan (or no execution of the game plan!)

I was at practice yesterday, everything was designed to slice through the paint and attack ISU inside. Not doing it. https://t.co/E6CcAKXjEy

— John Helsley (@jjhelsley) February 6, 2016

• OSU trying wayyy to hard to get it into Olivier in the low post. Leading to easy steals from the Clones.
• Olivier has been streaky this season and shown promise, but when McKay is out, I really expected him to have a bigger game.
• It feels bad to say, but I can nearly predict how each conference game will go based off previous games.
• Get lead early, Hammonds catches fire in the first half, blow big lead in the second, fight back, and lose close nail biter. Kind of feels like that’s where we are headed.
• Mitch Solomon seems to have been made aware of his foul situation. First one comes in his 19th minute on the floor.
• “When at first you fail, try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try again” — OSU’s motto from the 3-point line
• If we could draw up an in-bounds play, that would be greeeeeat.
• I’ll end on this.

Ford: "With all the injuries and illness I think we are playing our best basketball of the season. Next step is finish and win." #OKstate

— Andrew Carter (@Andrew__Carter) February 6, 2016

Next up: Oklahoma State @ TCU on Little Monday