Daily Bullets (January 24)

Getting There From Here

Mason Rudolph recently talked about why he chose Stillwater after being offered by one of the superpowers of the SEC.

But Rudolph said something just as interesting during his appearance on Jim Rome’s CBS Sports radio show last week. Revisiting his time as a high school recruit, he said LSU was the first program to offer him a scholarship.

“I had a great relationship with Coach Miles and that staff,” Rudolph told Rome, “but at the end of the day I didn’t want to hand the ball off to Leonard Fournette. I wanted to throw the ball around at Oklahoma State and play in an explosive offense with Coach Gundy and Coach Yurcich. That was the decision I made.

“I felt it was the best gateway to the NFL.” [TulsaWorld]

The SEC grows linemen and the Big 12 grows quarterbacks – a sharp 18-year-old will know where to land.

Fight Club

Marcus Smart was recently named the starting shooting guard on the NBA’s informal “All-Fight Team”.

Sometimes, I feel like Marcus Smart is more interested in inflicting real, physical pain than he is in playing basketball. Sure, he is good at flopping, but have you considered that he is simply compensating for the fact that if he held his ground and someone ran into him, they may seriously get injured? Did you ever try to run into a brick wall? How about brick wall that was 240lbs at 6’4? [Grandstand Central]

There’s some sort of unique composition in a human to be rough and tumble like Smart is. He plays like a Bad Boy Pistons-era guy, right?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CifxHpQWc_0&w=700&h=393]

If you’re a Thunder fan, enjoy Steven Adams’ rookie year film as he’s the starting center in the piece.

OSU and NCAA Notes

SI thinks the Pokes (and a few others) will take a step back in 2018….Sign me up for this “Bracket-Buster Saturday” idea for CFB….How Michigan State hasn’t been Baylor/Penn State hammered over this gymnastics scandal is beyond me….Get your early bracket-buster research in here with five teams from CBS’ Jerry Palm….Fun to look back on how recruiting services fared – 2015 class

Love the Dad Nikes for the cause.

It's @CoachesvsCancer Suits & Sneakers week so @thacoachmike and the Cowboy coaches will wear these shoes during tonight's game. Join the fight. Click below and donate or pledge for every 3-point shot. #letswork #okstate

➡️ https://t.co/J0NMHli2m6 pic.twitter.com/Vwp21UiM7H

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) January 23, 2018

6’1″ always felt a bit strong.

Weigh-in…
Oklahoma St. WR James Washington: 5-10 7/8, 210. Arm length 33 7/8 helps make up for height.#SeniorBowl

— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 23, 2018

On the other hand… size and route running always play well.

#OKState WR Marcell Ateman getting in the action today. pic.twitter.com/h1Lu7lWsGR

— Steve Frederick (@SportsGuyTweets) January 23, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• The Pokes are adding 27-year-old tradesmen to the 2018 class
• Six names surfaced as coordinators that Gundy is considering
• Cox on Boynton’s connection with GIA is great
• Boone caught up with OSU’s newest (and likely last) 2018 football commit
• Rudolph and Co. got measured for the Senior Bowl

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• They’ve got to get downhill ice racing into the Winter Olympics
• Some helpful thoughts on being a morning person

Excited to catch this tonight, meriting some Oscar buzz. Here’s where to stream the other nominees.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrXlY6gzTTM&w=640&h=360]