Daily Bullets (December 18)

Poke Pressure

Overwhelming defense gave the Cowboys their first big win of the season – and it wasn’t it’s first appearance of the season.

The Cowboys never allowed the Seminoles to get comfortable, mixing halfcourt traps with 3-2 zones and OSU’s tight man-to-man defense. Every time Florida State seemed to be on the verge of creating a cushion, OSU found a way to stifle it defensively.

Florida State’s 0.91 points per possession were a season low. The 22 turnovers were a season high.

And this doesn’t feel like a fluke: Wichita State turned it over 19 times against the Cowboys. [TulsaWorld]

Developing this defensive identity will be huge with a scrappy team looking to claim it’s place in a ferocious conference. And they’re well on their way.

Solomon w/ the nasty block on Phil Cofer (quietly becoming most valuable player for OSU?) #OSUMBB #CowboyBasketball pic.twitter.com/hEcCCwh0KW

— Thomas Fleming (@TGF97) December 16, 2017

Mitchell Collison

If you’re an NBA fan, listen to how Mike Boynton describes Mitchell Solomon and see if he reminds you of anyone.

“Mitch is our MVP,” Boynton said. “He doesn’t score a lot of points or get a lot of praise or press but he makes every right play while he’s on the court. He fouls sometimes in bad situations in a couple possessions but he didn’t pout. He kept his head up and new he had an opportunity to make a difference and he did that on the defensive end for us.” [TulsaWorld]

Call me crazy but that sounds like textbook Nick Collison, former Kansas Jayhawk turned Mr. Thunder. Intangibles and positioning galore, always in the right place at the right time. Throw in a backdoor pocket pass and some hair product, you’ve got a pair.

Come on and SLAM, Mitchell Solomon! #okstate https://t.co/3ZX4vn77KI

— CJ (@carleejae) February 7, 2015

OSU and NCAA Notes

How college football’s bowl system mixes socialism and capitalism….How fitting that Cavender’s owner is an OSU grad? Surely an exclusive deal with Pete….Get used to these Boise State shenanigans for the non-conference matchup next fall….Tram makes an argument excusing players for skipping bowl games

Happy for these dudes to finally break through for a signature W.

Also, low key disappointed we didn’t see “The Boynton” emerge as the big game basketball victory dance.

Check out the locker room celebration and what @thacoachmike told the Cowboys after their 71-70 win over No. 19 Florida State. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/QmSwzMvrNb

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 17, 2017

Definitely looks like a family environment. Will Ramon leave a bigger leadership or personality gap in his wake?

Honoring #okstate football graduates and celebrating what has been a banner academic year for the Cowboys thus far https://t.co/tLYLxoFAac #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/STk7yXGuUm

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) December 16, 2017

It should always be the least tenured coach on staff as well.

This should be a requirement for all bowl games: one coach from every team wears an ugly sweather pic.twitter.com/PBghutxiHa

— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) December 17, 2017

So many highlights are transition-esque situations – one of the keys to this team getting W’s.

A BIG win for the Cowboys over No. 19 Florida State in the Sunshine State today, help us pick the top play of the game. #LetsWork #okstate pic.twitter.com/eNCkehwdxN

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 16, 2017

Underwood Watch: Not a lot of buzz around the Illini.

ICYMI … Illini games at UC lacking buzz. The loss to New Mexico State last night doesn't help. https://t.co/7k6VeD3BvK

— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) December 17, 2017

What You Missed on PFB

• Hear about the 12 football visitors in Stillwater over the weekend in the Reload
• Pokes flipped a former Hog commit last night
• Pokes made the final round on a southeastern running back
• Watch Mike Boynton celebrate Saturday’s big win

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Arguments for and against net neutrality
• Seth Godin talks through what experience really is