5 Thoughts on OSU’s 69-65 Loss to Baylor

BOX SCORE

1. This picture is amazing

Speaking of assists, OSU’s best passer in school history is in the house alongside the legend. pic.twitter.com/1u0GIvUjqc

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) January 28, 2016

Someone mentioned “past and future?” on this tweet, and I’m not saying I support one way or another. Can we all just relish this moment with Gottlieb and Sutton, two historic OSU figures? No more iconic figures the university could have wished to have on campus for Remember the Ten night.

2. Defense was much improved, but fouls put damper on second half efforts

Oklahoma State finished the night with 26 (!) team fouls, and four players who either had four fouls or fouled out entirely. Can’t say it was the officiating, because Saturday’s contest at K-State was the same foul trouble scenario. That trend can’t continue mulling forward; they simply don’t have the horses to bring in guys off the bench that can contribute.

3. Chris Olivier Can Ball

But the Cowboys need him more consistently. Of all the nights he goes off, he decides to drop 17 against arguably the best center in the Big 12 in Rico Gathers? There’s no doubt Olivier can snake across the lane and catch you sleeping, but on a night where it appeared no one quite came to play, Olivier brought his A game. Without him, this one may have been much more lopsided.

4. Big Shot Burton?

[Copyright: Mark Cooper/Tulsa World].

Burton hit several HUGE three’s late in the game, including a big one to put the Pokes up 61-60 with 3:47 remaining. At this point he is still fairly deep in the rotation, but his offensive spark has been really valuable recently along with Tavarius Shine. The two can both ball in different ways, but I still Burton has a big upside as a shooter. Would like to see him show more aggression driving the lane to create, but he’s shown he can take the big shot [and will] if needed. I like.

5. Offense down the stretch was a dagger

With a minute and a half remaining, Oklahoma State found themselves down 1 point and went straight into their set with plenty of time remaining to draw something up (?) or get something going to put the Bears on their heels. OSU made two passes and Burton, making an entrance pass, found his pass intercepted and gave the Bears the ball back.

Not the end of the game…right?

OSU gets lucky, steals the ball on the ensuing position, then took the ball in transition and, again, turned the ball over. Baylor took the next possession for a bucket and jumped out to a three-point lead. From then on, the Cowboys played the foul game and fell 69-65.

They had opportunities down the stretch to keep the game in arms reach or even take the lead, but simple mistakes proved costly down the stretch. They have to improve in late game situations.