Daily Bullets (December 11)

Seminole Win(d)

An ode to the John Anderson song, the Pokes need to steal a win in the Sunshine State next weekend for a marquee non-conference win.

Moving forward, though, Boynton knows OSU must learn to finish. Oklahoma State only has three games left before Big 12 play revs up — and the next one comes against a Florida State squad that could be ranked this week.

The other nine teams in the Big 12 each already have at least one win against a KenPom top 100 team. The next game is OSU’s last chance for one before it hosts West Virginia Dec. 29. [TulsaWorld]

Facing two of KenPom’s top-six teams in Texas A&M and Wichita State, the Pokes looked like they belonged on the floor with them. Facing No. 25 Florida State could allow for more margin of error.

Next up for the Cowboys is a trip to Florida for the Orange Bowl Classic. They'll take on Florida State next Saturday on FS2. #okstate #LetsWork pic.twitter.com/kT80A0c7SM

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 10, 2017

Overwhelming Confidence

More is being written about how Marcus Smart, a bad shooter, makes the Boston Celtics’ offense so much better.

In other words, he’s so good at pretending to be a legitimate offensive player that he cons defenses into thinking he actually is. He has so overwhelmingly thumbed his nose the obvious reality that he cannot shoot that the opponent can’t help but react to his overconfidence in real time.

Because of that, he is defended as if he is a legitimate shooter. And the beauty of legitimate shooters is that the threat of them making shots sucks in defensive attention and opens opportunities for others. [SB Nation]

There you have it: elite, rationally-irrational confidence. The article goes on to explain how the brain responds versus when it can premeditate. A no-“three and D” wing with objective offensive value.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Chris Carson’s comeback in Seattle hit a bump….8 steps to winning a Heisman – see where Rudolph was eliminated….See how SportingNews projects the Big 12 bowl games….Lots of OSU-connections on the Virginia Tech coaching staff

Love those points in transition – huge help for a developing offense.

The Cowboys fell to the No. 6 Shockers but battled to the end with tenacious defense. Help us pick the top play. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/LWzy2UHOH3

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 10, 2017

No. 10/2’s time in Stillwater has FLOWN by.

From #10 to #2… we've always known how special he is. Your 2017 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner: Mason Rudolph. #okstate #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/0vXcPWBeap

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 9, 2017

Is Mason Rudolph the first Cowboy to get first place votes since No. 21?

The Heisman vote totals pic.twitter.com/4PGSSeRd2V

— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) December 10, 2017

Congrats to the Cowgirls on the monster win Friday night:

?UPSET ALERT? @OSUWBB Upsets No.7 UCLA ?? pic.twitter.com/myh7y9BPDs

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 9, 2017

What a christening!

On this day in 1938, this gorgeous building hosted its first game. That day Mr. Henry Iba's Aggies take down Phog Allen's Jayhawks, 21-15. Happy birthday, GIA! #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/hbuWuzu9cN

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 9, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• OSU broke out the cursive Cowboy unis over the weekend
• Spencer Sanders scored seven touchdowns to pull his team into the state-semis
• Mike Gundy talked bowl prep
• Mason Rudolph finished seventh in Heisman voting

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Heartwrenching read: Tennessee grad ignores search firm for Best Man
• Leonard Fournette melted his trophies and donated them
• Not so sure about the next Jurassic World movie