Daily Bullets (February 5)

Cornell – Ever Heard of It?

While OSU was once referred to as the “Princeton of the Plains”, Ivy Leaguers don’t grow on the cypress trees around Theta Pond.

(Jim) Knowles brings with him an Ivy League mind, having graduated from Cornell, where he later was the head coach. And he brings a defense that is complex in its schemes, but simplified in the manner by which players learn it.

“He’s a technician,” Brown said. “We’re playing offenses that run 100 different formations. Every call that we can make has to be able to adjust to those formations. So he sets up principles that run through our entire defensive scheme that when we see a formation, we know on principle how this play adjusts.” [NewsOK]

Who knows if that brilliance translates from the classroom to relating to football players but that piece by the Oklahoman was encouraging. Enjoy this exaggerated comp for smart guy-turned-defensive coordinator – hint: you likely saw him on TV last night.

The Next Allie P.

Seeing the phrase stadium is close made me hit the snooze button but there was an interesting bit in there.

The prospects of a new baseball stadium, long rumored and yet to be revealed, picked up steam this week with Cowboys coach Josh Holliday reporting that the school is “close.”

Rest assured, OSU fans, this is getting done. And the announcement is coming soon, with ground-breaking soon to follow.

OSU has secured a major gift to the tune of $30 million, and that check is in the bank. There are more pledges in place, too, but they need to be collected and cashed, which is the hangup.

For all of you discouraged by the slow-developing project, talked about for years, relax. It’s happening. And it’ll be glorious. [GoPoke$]

$30m in the bank does sound promising and the report does sound different than something along the lines of “one check for naming rights away from done”.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Marcus Smart can be had for a first-round pick (or a good contract)….Hawaii QB will be on scholarship, have a shot to win the job….Former Cowboy (turned Houston Cougar) joins the football staff at UT….Fun little interview with the first Oklahoman to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl – former Cowboy safety Terry Brown

Love when Gundy himself tweets (not PR employee).

673 yards of total offense in the first half. Looks like a @Big12Conference game. Amazing what happens when you throw the ball down field. Love the exciting offensive football! #SBLII https://t.co/5B9m6PQ4IN

— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) February 5, 2018

Next-level focus.

? "Our focus was on another level, and that's where it needs to stay from here on out." @cameron_mcgriff was on another level as well. Here's what he had to say after the win at Kansas. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/VQo5CNsoy6

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 4, 2018

Mind immediately went there on the Ertz catch.

Twice as many steps taken in Bedlam, but yeah, incomplete, OU ball.

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) February 5, 2018

Between this and beating ESPN’s next Steph Curry, the narratives do clash.

I understand it's Kansas and it's at home, but are we sure Oklahoma State is as bad as most are saying? Wins over Florida State, Texas, Oklahoma and now Kansas and no sub-50 KenPom losses.

— Eli Boettger (@boettger_eli) February 3, 2018

Fun (Cam McGriff) highlights from Saturday.

3-point barrage ✔️
Yankuba rattling the rim ✔️
Cam goes nuts … twice ✔️

Pick the top play from today's win in Allen Fieldhouse. #letswork #okstate pic.twitter.com/dX6wlByUcn

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 4, 2018

Boynton was out working after the game Saturday.

Oklahoma State with two assistants on hand tonight for top-50 guard Courtney Ramey @OKStateRivals https://t.co/LbYqIIPlEc

— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) February 4, 2018

Oklahoma St Head Coach @thacoachmike Boynton & Asst David Kontaxis courtside In Richmond Va watching Armando Bacot & Isaiah Todd on same day after big win at Kansas. That's BIG TIME!#BIGSHOTS

— BIG SHOTS (@BigShotsNation) February 4, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Oklahoma State has found themselves a basketball coach
• Hunziker’s call after beating Kansas was great (can hear the Mizzou in him)
• Porter emptied the notebook after KU
• Mike Boynton made a deal to coach an intermural squad

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Interesting read on switching classes in America
• Using temporal landmarks to help achieve goals sounds helpful
• Love No. 4 about Steven Adams on Zach Lowe’s Ten Things

How in the world have contemporary dynasties not overlapped?

Streak continues: New England & Alabama have never won championship in same season

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) February 5, 2018