Daily Bullets (March 15)

Consolation Consoling

If someone read the below paragraph to you in August, would you have been pleased with the Oklahoma State basketball season?

As (Mike) Boynton said, Tuesday’s game was far from a masterpiece. But after an ugly-as-can-be first quarter from both teams, Oklahoma State snapped from its malaise and dispatched Florida Gulf Coast 80-68 in front of 5,305 in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys won a postseason game for the first time since 2011 while winning their 20th game — a mark unimaginable to most outside the program when OSU convened in June. [TulsaWorld]

20-wins, overcoming the curse of Marist in the NIT, overcoming the disappointment of not getting into the NCAAs. It’s a rosy picture when you consider the expectation.

Ride Rudolph

The Ringer’s Danny Kelly ranks Mason Rudolph in position with other quarterback fixes for NFL teams – giving thoughts on his NFL-ready status in the process.

12. Mason Rudolph
Rudolph doesn’t offer as much arm-talent upside as Darnold or Allen, he’s not as dynamic of a playmaker as Mayfield or Jackson, and he’s not as polished as Rosen, but he’s still likely a day-two pick—and as a relatively forgotten man in this highly touted class, he could benefit from a year or two to develop without the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

The former Oklahoma State star is accurate and willing to take risks, and was highly productive in college, throwing 92 touchdowns and rushing for another 17 in his four years with the Cowboys. With some seasoning, he’s got the chance to turn into a starter at the next level. [The Ringer]

This seems like one of the more fair analysis – even if he’s low on the artist formerly known as No. 2. I’m still madly in love with the idea of Mason Rudolph landing in New England for the reasons Danny Kelly listed.

Dark Day in Beantown

Amidst a rash of injuries, Marcus Smart’s recent hand injury could be the difference in a second-round exit and a conference final.

Smart is a different story.

Smart has long been a basketball enigma, a terrible shooter who for significant stretches of the season has made the Celtics a better offensive team when he’s on the floor, a terrific defender who at times doesn’t actually impact the defensive numbers all that much (though entering Tuesday Boston is now four points stingier on defense when Smart is on the floor).

The bottom line is this: Smart is a basketball player, the Celtics are a team full of basketball players, and in this way, he is the Celtics. The proverbial heart and soul. The immeasurable, and invaluable, commodity. Losing him would very likely be too much to overcome in terms of the Celtics competing for a title, which they’re already a long shot to do in the first place. [CBS Sports]

The piece points out that Smart is the difference in a coin flip-series, ot necessarily against the Lebron-led Cavs, but against the 76ers or Milwaukee? Sure.

It’s just amazing that a near sub-30 percent three-point shooter has established so much value in today’s NBA. His stat-stuffing ways bring value wherever the guy goes.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Not buying this Tramel piece that OU wasn’t put in for Trae Young’s marketability (also addresses OSU’s FBI/tourney snub rumor)….Five tip times you don’t want to miss in Round 1….Bids for teams outside of the mainstream are shrinking rapidly….Who could be CFB bracket busters in 2018?….Baylor had another sexual assault situation….Residential life is finally closing Drummond Hall

Rickie – the good guy on tour.

Congrats to @RickieFowler for winning this year's Player Philanthropy Award! #APInv pic.twitter.com/8WPXhwM8I0

— Arnold Palmer Inv. (@APinv) March 14, 2018

This feels like Memphis moving towards their Doug.

Column: With Tubby out, Memphis seems primed to try the ultimate hometown Hail Mary with Penny Hardaway. Oh boy. https://t.co/ezwukAbQ63

— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) March 14, 2018

News to me – hopefully Williams wins his appeal and comes back.

Here are the participants for #OKState’s pro day tomorrow. Larry Williams will participate, but he could return to OSU if granted a medical redshirt. That process is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/ibg3xBZE1f

— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) March 14, 2018

Bad news Bears.

Final score from Conway. #OKState smacks four home runs and run-rules Central Arkansas to improve to 21-6 on the year! pic.twitter.com/FIwgNUiOfA

— Cowgirl Softball (@CowgirlSB) March 14, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Four-star defensive end named OSU in his top schools
• Cox’s five storylines for the offseason: Justice taking over
• Grading the 2018 wide receiver class
• A relative unknown, the impact of Patrick Macon on 2018 team
• What you need to know about the NCAA Wrestling Tournament

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Buffett’s 5/25 rule helps me sort through tasks at work and personally
• The birth of Steph Curry (as a tourney legend)
• Commentary on the slide in teacher’s pay – highlighting West Virginia and Oklahoma