Daily Bullets (February 19)

Mitchless Runs

The supporting evidence of what helps/induces other teams to rally against the Pokes was built on Saturday in Fort Worth.

The Cowboys led by as many as 12, while the Horned Frogs missed their first nine shots.

But then the Cowboys ran into foul trouble. As usual, Solomon spent his time off the floor for Oklahoma State behind the Cowboys’ bench, standing and swaying. He spent a lot more time there than usual.

Three first-half fouls caused Solomon to play sparingly as the Horned Frogs (18-9, 6-8) rallied. TCU made 13 of its final 18 shots of the half, while OSU went 3-for-17 to go into the locker room trailing 39-36. [NewsOK]

"The responded and we didn't, and that's unacceptable."

The thoughts of coach Boynton following the loss to TCU in Ft. Worth. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/lhXEnVnZas

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 18, 2018

While the inability “to respond” is what Mike Boynton to, having the right player – a senior leader – on the floor makes all the difference.

I would disagree with his point that it couldn’t be helped – whoever’s coaching the big men needs to get this resolved.

On Life Support

While the NIT-bound sentiment is surely in full force at this point – nothing to sneeze at for a first-year coach in the Big 12 – the last hopes for the Big Dance were outlined here.

Saturday’s loss leaves the Cowboys likely needing to win four straight games at some point to make the NCAA Tournament, either in this season’s final stretch or in the Big 12 Tournament. [NewsOK]

So sweep the closing slate or win Wednesday through Saturday (never before done to my knowledge) in Kansas City.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Boone has the winners and losers from college basketball this weekend….John Hoover previews the 2018 Cowboy Football season….Tom Fornelli ranks the Big 12 last in potential for being good at Winter Olympic sports….40 minute pod on what college football recruiting is really like….Cowboys fall in game two in San Marcos, win the rubber band game three

KU rallying, Saturday in Lubbock will be huge.

Big 12 title odds (after round 14): Texas Tech 67%, Kansas 59%, West Virginia 4%, Kansas State 1%.

— Ken Pomeroy (@kenpomeroy) February 18, 2018

High on the list of things nobody was surprised about.

Today I am going thru all the receiving positions for last year looking at my projected grade, my computer grade for the season and assigning my final grade for all 130 receiving units for 2017. Oklahoma St is currently at the top.

— Phil Steele (@philsteele042) February 17, 2018

🙂

#ICYMI – our Mock Draft 2 had Baker Mayfield going first overall to the Browns. pic.twitter.com/1fSVxtMP61

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 17, 2018

Really surprised Justice isn’t higher on this list.

Returning Big 12 RBs, ranked by elusive rating heading into the 2018 season pic.twitter.com/54VL1UfzMS

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 18, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• OSU’s defense wearing out as season, NCAA tourney hopes slip away
• Eddie Sutton missed HoF cut again
• Pokes hammered Fresno State in Dean Heil’s last home dual
• Enjoy Chris Lacy’s career highlights
• OSU Softball impresses in Florida

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• This on the Thunder without Andre Roberson was enlightening
• The U.S. stunk at Winter Olympics until extreme sports
  Love this attitude.

Paul George is about three booths down from Russell Westbrook. When PG comes in, a “We want Paul” chant starts:
Westbrook: “That’s out! Paul ain’t going nowhere. It’s over for that.” pic.twitter.com/mveYpo9u3D

— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) February 17, 2018