Daily Bullets (March 16)

Shaping the Narrative

Mike Boynton beat Hall of Famers (multiple) in his first season. So what’s to prove for the coach on the rise?

Wins over Kansas, Texas Tech and West Virginia already have begun to shift the narrative about the direction of OSU basketball — even if the Cowboys will still be searching for their first NCAA Tournament win in a decade this time next year.

“I think what’s happened is I think some of the perception of me has maybe changed,” Boynton said. “Maybe this guy can coach a little bit. So I think people believe if we can get the right kind of kids, because that’s the next question is, people want to know whether or not our staff and obviously me as a head coach, can recruit. The wins validate that we can do the right job on the court. If we can get the right pieces in — I’m excited about the future.” [TulsaWorld]

Boynton knows if he can put some of his own, hand-picked horses with his X’s and O’s, he’ll be one of the hottest young names in the sport.

Seattle’s Finest

Former Cowboy Chris Carson, Seattle’s sophomore running back, sounds like the option in the Seahawk backfield.

Carson turned some heads last year as a rookie during training camp and was off to a hot start before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 4. He accumulated 208 yards on 49 carries (4.2 yards per carry) and caught seven passes for 59 yards and a touchdown in just over three games of action.

He will need to hold off Mike Davis, C.J. Prosise, and J.D. McKissic along with whatever newcomers Seattle might add in free agency or during the draft to remain relevant. If he starts the preseason atop the depth chart as expected, Carson will provide a nice return on his current 10th-round price tag even playing behind Seattle’s weak offensive line. [PFF]

It’s worth watching who they add in free agency/through the draft but Carson should have every shot to take over as the lead back.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Two of the Mike’s – Boynton and Holder – talk about what kept the Pokes out of the Dance….$10B estimated in gambling over the Big Dance….Fun to look at – 538’s model predicted first-round upsets….Travel for each tournament team to the Final Four and steps between….Loyola’s walk-off-ish three was incredible, everything the tourney is supposed to be

This price is worth it just have your feet on the white maple.

? Breaking! ?

Here's your chance to sit courtside for Monday's NIT showdown with Stanford for just $10 ($5 for students). Time to get ROWDY! #letswork #okstate

? https://t.co/qPSsKpQNWI pic.twitter.com/O8BydJAne1

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 15, 2018

Get up there, young man.

Been watching @james_james28 do this for 4 years and it still shocks me! pic.twitter.com/rpCTBocka8

— Courtney Bay (@baycourtney12) March 15, 2018

98 percent of the general population couldn’t do this with unlimited tries.

What??? ??#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/AtIL8Jia3y

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 15, 2018

Absolutely the truth.

Every workplace right now #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/C71RFwk7vw

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 15, 2018

Leave your play sheet Monken!

Forget Pro Day I’m jacked to finally see this beautiful wizard’s cloak in person!!! pic.twitter.com/i1PPSd9Vxx

— Todd Monken (@CoachToddMonken) March 15, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Mike Gundy offers to put money down to make Stillwater schools safe
• Monday night basketball coming next week – a Fiesta Bowl rematch in Stillwater
• Philip caught up with Tre Flowers for a Q&A
• Larry Williams awaits response from NCAA as eligibility hangs in the balance
• See who’s visiting OSU over spring break in the latest Reload

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Embracing the slow burn – physical exercise, writing, whatever that may be
• A look at how Amazon is trying to compete in the streaming wars
• Super heavy but an old friend wrote about processing infertility and his faith