Garza’s Five Predictions for 2018, Including Possible Mullet Replacements

Today marks the 18th day of 2018, which means we still have 347 days until the start of 2019. That’s a large number. A whole lot can change in 347 days, so here are five things I could see happening between now and Dec. 31 in the world of Oklahoma State sports.

1. Kenny Gajewski gets a big-time contract extension

Oklahoma recently backed up the Brink’s Truck for softball coach Patty Gasso, upping her annual salary to $725,000 with an annual bonus of $200,000.

Gajewski hasn’t won any national titles as coach of the Cowgirls – yet. But who expected him to just two years into his head-coaching career? Gajewski is a stud and has revitalized OSU’s softball program, drastically improving their record two seasons in a row.

• 21-31 in 2015 under Rich Wieligman
• 32-26 in 2016 (Gajewski’s first year)
• 38-25 in 2017 (Gajewski’s second year)

He has the Cowgirls in an upward trajectory, and he should be paid accordingly.

2. Justice Hill leaps into the top 10 nationally in rushing yards

Hill led all freshmen in 2016 with 1,142 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards on his 206 carries.

In 2017, he rushed for 1,467 yards and 15 touchdowns (plus one through the air), once again averaging 5.5 yards on 268 carries.

With Mason Rudolph, James Washington and Marcel Ateman among the offensive weapons gone, it would make sense to see an increased workload for Hill. Of course, backups J.D. King and LD Brown will likely see an uptick in carries.

Hill averaged about 20 carries per game in 2017. If that average were increased to 23, Hill would rush for 1,681 yards, assuming he maintains his pace of 5.5 yards per carry. That would’ve been good enough for sixth in the nation this season, which I don’t think is an out-of-reach goal.

3. Vanessa Shippy wins USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

Shippy is as important to Oklahoma State softball as peanut butter is to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Seriously.

The Co-Big 12 Player of the year in 2016 has never missed a game for the Cowgirls; she has started in all 173 games since her career began. Shippy has batted .412 in a two-year span, and has 193 career hits with a .502 on-base percentage.

She seemingly plays a new position every week, and she has played every position on the field if you include her brief pitching appearance in the fall.

Shippy is always poised, calm and performs at a high level. There’s no reason she can’t have her best season during her last spring in orange and black, and her best might be as good as anyone else’s.

4. Jeffrey Carroll goes undrafted

Carroll was expected to take the spotlight in Gallagher-Iba Arena after Jawun Evans’ departure to the NBA. So far, Carroll has shown flashes of brilliance that haven’t been sustained. This has resulted in his omission from many mock drafts, including ones on NBA Draft Net, Draftsite.com, nbadraftroom.com, tankathon.com, and others.

In 2016-17, Carroll averaged 17.5 points per game, shooting a shade over 44 percent from beyond the arc.

This season, he’s averaging 15.7 points with nearly identical playing time. His three-point percentage has dipped to 29.9 percent, which partially explains his drop in production.

A second-half surge would do Carroll wonders, because his NBA career isn’t guaranteed at this point.

5. Mike Gundy cuts the mullet

I don’t even remember what Gundy looks like without the Arkansas Waterfall. It seems like he’s always throwing something new at us, whether it’s photos of rattlesnakes or stories of dove hunting the morning after a game.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gundy say goodbye to the mullet and introduce a new, zany idea to draw more attention to him and, subsequently, Oklahoma State football. All exposure is good exposure, and Gundy knows that. Here’s a list of things I’d like to see Gundy do:

• Permanent sunglasses. Gundy looks like a boss in the shades. It’d be hilarious to see him rock those during press conferences, especially after night games.
• Bandana Gundy
• Cowboy hat Gundy.

Let me know in the comments if there’s anything else I missed that you think would be humorous.