Seven Things That Excite Us About Oklahoma State Hoops

We have discussed how OSU hoops can go south once again, but there is also currently a level of optimism surrounding Oklahoma State hoops that would make counselors at a college freshmen orientation camp uncomfortable.

So let’s tap into a little of that and discuss seven things that we’re thrilled to cover and watch as this basketball season gets underway.

Kyle Porter: Cameron McGriff’s development

I wrote about McGriff a few weeks ago, but I think he has a chance to be special. A real force in the Big 12. We saw a little of that in OSU’s exhibition game against the Fightin’ Harambes. McGriff doesn’t look like a freshman. He doesn’t carry himself like one either.

Brad Underwood has discussed McGriff’s physique in reverential tones normally reserved for only the deceased, and I can see why. He is built like a tank had a baby with a deer. Can he score, though? Can he provide offense where OSU has a void? Is he just another Marcus Dove or can he be a middle class man’s Tony Allen?

I’m elated to see how he unfolds throughout his freshman season (and beyond).

Kyle Cox: The Youth

It’s funny how much stock we put into one preseason game against a D-II school but my, oh my does Lindy Waters look good. He’s probably going to have his ups and downs and could probably gain a lot from his time in the weight room, but I have a feeling he will play a lot.

I think he and McGriff are 1a and 1b in terms of impact. McGriff more due to the need on the boards. Should be a fun year!

Kyle Porter: A defensive identity

What was OSU’s defensive blueprint under Travis Ford? Hope Marcus Smart gets steals and Cobbins Chamberlain doesn’t foul out? It might take a while, but it seems like this OSU team is going to have a legitimate identity on defense. As a lifelong OSU hoops fan, that is sweet manna from Heaven to my taste buds.

Look at the last three years of SFA defensive blueprints. Stops (defensive efficiency) and turnovers on steals (turnover percentage and steal percentage).

SFA went from seventh to fifth to first in turnover percentage nationally (against 350 other teams!) It’s impossible to do this without knowing exactly who you are and what you’re doing on the defensive end.

Can’t wait!

Sam Aldrich: This freshman class

Brad Underwood was able to haul in and hang onto some very good talent in his first offseason in Stillwater. Lindy Waters III will be one of the best freshman guards in the Big 12, and is a future star.

Cam McGriff will be an immediate contributor in the post. Brandon Averette is a terrific back-up to Jawun Evans and should be an upgrade over Tyree Griffin.

Additionally, Thomas Dziagwa and Lucas N’Guessan could be solid pieces given the time to develop. This is a strong class that will be ready to contribute from day

Kyle Boone: The defense

Watching them in their exhibition, the Cowboys breathed fresh life into Gallagher Iba with tough, physical man-to-man defense. OSU will need to learn how to play physical within their limits — Jawun Evans got into foul trouble early — but the effort and intensity is going to a sight to behold.

Sam Aldrich: Jawun Evans

Jawun was an absolute stud his freshman season before a season-ending injury knocked him out. He’s back, and he’s ready to build on his Big 12 Freshman Of the Year campaign. He averaged 12.9 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.1 SPG on a pretty crappy team last year.

This Jawun Evans jump stop, ball fake is a thing of beauty https://t.co/jn0D8kfCJa

— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) January 31, 2016

That puts him in a pretty exclusive class of freshman point guards (do D’Angelo Russell, Ray McCallum, John Wall, and Derrick Rose ring any bells?) This may be Jawun’s last season at Oklahoma State, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Kyle Boone: Seeing how OSU improves from a coaching standpoint

Not only did Gallagher-Iba light up against Pitt State with their noticably improved defense, but the coaching was one thing that stood out to me.

Underwood was screaming non-stop and was audible from the upper deck, coaching his guys on both ends of the floor. The players respond well to it, if only because they don’t want to hit the treadmill if they screw up.

Regardless, they know there are no days off in the Big 12. And they should improve tremendously under this new coaching regime.