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Daily Bullets

Daily Bullets (March 11)

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7 years ago

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The X-Factor

With that heading, how many guesses did it take to get to no. 41?

Mitchell Solomon.

Keeping the Oklahoma State junior forward on the floor will be vital for OSU to win its first NCAA Tournament game since 2009. When Solomon’s on the floor, OSU’s defense gets better. In a vacuum, the offense should, too, because he gives it more opportunities. He had eight offensive rebounds Thursday. His offensive-rebounding percentage (17.2 percent) is now second-best in the country behind Clemson’s Sidy Djitte.

And the Iowa State game was an example of why Solomon’s presence matters.

• In 27 minutes with Solomon on the floor: Oklahoma State outscored Iowa State 62-52

• In 13 minutes with Solomon on the bench: Iowa State outscored Oklahoma State 40-21

With OSU’s top post presence sitting, the Cyclones scored 40 points in 13 minutes. Over a 40-minute game, that is a 123.1-point pace. [TulsaWorld]

Underwood has called him the Pokes’ best defender, even “all-league”. After watching no. 41 growing into his frame his first few years, his development into being the de facto last line of defense has been very pleasant.

He’s a heavier, less agile I-Mac that does the necessary things to win (elite offensive rebounding, hits free throws, plays under-sized). They were +10 with him, -19 without him on Thursday!

His development is really setting himself up for a fun senior year playing in the frontcourt with this guy.

 

Next Level

We’ve got a Dance to attend next week, may as well start to rally now. Here’s Hammonds from Tuesday on some of the changes the team’s experienced this year:

Most players typically don’t go through different coaches during their playing careers at schools. But when they do, things can be drastically different. And if you look at this Oklahoma State roster, only a few of the guys experienced the change. Evans experienced the change, but being hurt during a portion of the season, has a smaller sample size.

Now for senior Leyton Hammonds, he had three years of former head coach Travis Ford and his system. And judging by what Hammonds had to say, the change has been drastic.

But for the better, “It’s kind of just spun us around because, I mean, we thought we were playing hard last year. And it’s kind of like an eye opener for me because, I was here for three years before and I just didn’t realize that my body could be pushed to a whole other level that hasn’t been pushed.” said Hammonds, “I mean, I just look back at it now and I’m just so thankful that Coach Holder hired him (Underwood) to be our coach and for our season to end up this way. It’s just a blessing.” [GoPokes – $$$]

Some stories just write themselves. Favorite quote:”I was here for three years and I just didn’t realize my body could be pushed to a whole other level…”

Maybe he’s talking about hitting threes or walking out of a road arena with a win (the dude came to ball at TCU and K-State), but either way, we’re all so thankful as well, Leyton.

 

OSU and NCAA Notes

ESPN’s Trotter shares his thoughts on Mixon – I agree that OU did no favors hiding him…. Baseball dropped the Friday night game 2-1 vs South Dakota State, play today at 2 p.m….Concerns about the Ramon move highlighted in this mailbag….Seeding Projections: Lunardi has the Pokes at a no. 7 (23.4 percent chance of getting to the Sweet 16) and CBS has OSU as *gasp* 10 seed….Blake Jarwin’s path from walk-on living in Wentz Hall to an NFC South team saying he’ll be on a roster

 

Iowa State vs. West Virginia for the title, CBS has K-State in the “Last Four In” currently.

 

What every little boy dreams of: fifth-team all Dickie V. To Heritage Hall!

Farmageddon just got spicier. Iowa State going J.W. Walsh on K-State: hiring former Wildcat to a GA role.

 

What You Missed on PFB
Other Stuff I’m Reading

Malcolm Gladwell talks on the revolution in decision making (horizontal segmentation if you prefer)….Zach Lowe’s 10 Things (No. 2 explains some Thunder losses lately)…. This gal retired at 28, loved point #4 that got her there…. “Moneyball” in Cleveland: the dude who Jonah Hill (essentially) played in the film is running the show for the Browns

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