Daily Bullets (March 1)

The Closer

It’s not over til it’s over with these dudes.

Since turning around an 0-6 start to conference play, the Cowboys have revealed an emerging toughness, winning close games, rallying twice from 14-point deficits to pull out victories.

So when they trailed 74-64 inside the four-minute mark, there was no panic.

If anything, it was Evans’ time.

And as he’d done consistently during a surge that saw OSU win 10 of 11 games, he took over down the stretch, scoring 14 of his game-high 29 points over the final 3:21.

“Just trying to get a win for us,” Evans said, “trying to do whatever I can for my team to come out and get a win.” [NewsOK]

When the Cyclones would jump ahead, the Pokes repeatedly and systematically trimmed the margins and quieted the crowd. 14 points in the final 3:21 from Jawun is what tourney runs are made of. In a day loaded with point guards, he’s turning heads:

Hot take: Oklahoma St.'s Jawun Evans is the nation's second-best point guard behind Lonzo Ball. *Waits for bull rush from Frank Mason fans*

— Brad Evans (@YahooNoise) March 1, 2017

Underwood Watch

K-State cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday.

Sources have informed Go Pokes that Underwood is not only not fond of (departed K-State athletic director John) Currie, who let Frank Martin go to South Carolina and didn’t hire Underwood when he had the chance as Underwood went with Martin to South Carolina before taking the Stephen F. Austin job …. Underwood isn’t interested in working under Currie, that according to our sources. We also know that there is a major undercurrent of Kansas State fans and supporters that want Underwood as the hoops coach in Manhattan. [Scout]

Impossible for a school (and a coach) to feel the helplessness that was the last few years of Ford’s deal but K-State is in the ballpark with Weber. Currie’s replacement will have a pretty clear cut job: make Underwood say no. K-State fans have been great on social media.

Brad Underwood has WON 4 STRAIGHT ROAD GAMES.

Bruce Weber has LOST 3 STRAIGHT HOME GAMES.@John_Currie pic.twitter.com/e5R9Yax0Wd

— Adam Frank (@ajfrank07) February 16, 2017

Averette’s Offense

Super interesting to hear how he developed his inside game.

Averette trained with a local Dallas trainer, James Barlowe. He said Barlowe helped teach him methods for scoring inside. “We take pride in being able to score over bigger people,” Averette said.

Averette began training with Barlowe in 2014. In a phone interview, Barlowe said he showed Averette the tendencies of successful players similar to Averette’s height. One of those was Isaiah Thomas, the 5-foot-9 Boston Celtics All-Star. Thomas was a lesser-known player with the Sacramento Kings at the time, but was still a productive scorer.

They looked at other small guards who could score, like Kemba Walker and Chris Paul. One thing Averette and Barlowe practiced was scoring in ways that keep shot blockers off-guard.

Barlowe said Averette had a natural ability to score out of off-balance positions, but they had to work on making those moves a purposeful part of his game.
“Little tricks finishing at the rim,” Averette said. “Going off the wrong foot, throwing off the bigs’ timing coming over to block floaters, and then my mid-range game. Just little things like that.” [Tulsa World]

5’11” feels generous. While he may or may not be the answer when Jawun leaves, if he could develop into a homeless man’s Isaiah Thomas… I’m starting to see shades of this guy in his game:

OSU and NCAA Notes

K-State lost their AD to Tennessee (same one that passed on Underwood)….  Someone needs to tell Kim Mulkey it’s not over: Baylor’s fourth-leading tackler accused of domestic violence/suspended …. Get your Cinderella research in for the Big Dance …. Context on why the Ole Miss coach is fussy …. The UT wing that put up 27 on OSU in Austin is transferring …. Cowgirl softball home opener tonight against Arkansas.

What you need to know about round one in KC:

#OKState's Big 12 opponent scenarios have clarity:

If Baylor loses to Texas: OSU plays Baylor

If Baylor beats Texas: Loser of WVU-ISU

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) March 1, 2017

Shots like this make basketball so fun. There’s an alternate universe out there where Jawun did this last night.

Edmo for the game-winner in OT!! Rangers take down Esko 58-55 #GoCIGo #SCTop10 @MSHSLjohn @MSHSLscores @mnbasketballhub @mnbuckets pic.twitter.com/EyRHZ1mgMO

— CI Ranger Activities (@CI_Rangers) March 1, 2017

What you missed at PFB

• Five thoughts from a great game in Ames
• Check out the semi-contreversial ending from the Iowa State game
• SEC coach lobbing grenades at Gundy while he weathers allegations
• Kyle P. and Carson get you ready for the home stretch and Kansas City
• Home and road Forte could be a factor in how deep the Pokes go
• Pretty impressed with Baker’s comments (he’s still a stinker though)

Other Stuff I’m Reading

Baker’s (coming) community service sentence will be a lot more fun because of this guy …. How Domino’s went from $4 to $186 a share is fascinating …. Get well soon KD …. I fall asleep thinking about this stuff: Start Abrines? …. We’ve got years until the “You Had to Be There” party makes it to the Midwest but will be incredible people watching