Daily Bullets (March 2)

Play In Game

Tomorrow against Kansas could be considered a (not completely assuring) play-in game of sorts for the Pokes.

The Cowboys can think back to one-point road losses – 66-65 to Arkansas, when two late OSU shots didn’t fall, and 65-64 last week at Texas, when Kerwin Roach II scored with one second left – and wonder what if? Of course, OSU can also look back to tight wins over West Virginia, OU, Texas and Iowa State.

The season-long strength of the Big 12 has suggested that a conference record of 8-10 could get a team into the NCAA Tournament. OSU would be 8-10 with a victory over Kansas. The Cowboys would have swept the Jayhawks, plus beaten West Virginia and Texas Tech, the former on the road. [NewsOK]

The Big 12 in basketball carries respect almost inversely proportionate compared to football (amongst their Power 5 peers), at least we’ll see if the Pokes go 8-10.

Rating  Rudolph

An NFL.com writer broke down the good and bad of top QB prospects and pretty succinctly dissected the NFL-readiness of No. 2.

“Sure, you’ve got to have the accuracy to get it there, but I don’t think you get guys that are that open at this level.”

Rudolph can counter by saying he made 41 college starts (the most of any QB on this list), had audible power and was consulted in game-planning over the past couple seasons. Rudolph’s arm talent isn’t in question. He has prototypical size at 6-4, 229.

But scouts describe him as a little mechanical and clunky as an athlete, and there are mixed reviews on his poise, pocket presence, etc., especially when asked to extend plays in the pocket and make reads. [NFL.com]

So pros are plenty of experience and tape to read, prototypical size and arm talent. The cons are having feet set in concrete and the due scrutiny of discerning between system numbers and prowess that will translate well.

For more understanding on adjusting from college -> pro, this 2013 SI piece by Peter King on how simplicity is the trend in college football is helpful.

Concern about his scrambling is reasonable but I’m not sure a quarterback had to run for his life quite like Rudolph did as a freshman and sophomore.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Tavarius Shine is participating in senior day(?)….WSJ says paid players isn’t the scandal – amateurism is….What do the pro-bound Cowboys need to show at the combine?….What it’s like for a world-class Cowboy wrestler (Sand Springs’ Dalton Fix) to redshirt….Zaga looking at pulling a Wichita State….Good NCAA Tourney research – How Tony Bennett turned UVA into college basketball’s Spurs

Sounds like the Tony-to-OKC talk happened but didn’t go far enough.

OKC had exploratory discussions with Derrick Rose, Tony Allen and others, league sources say, but Brewer was OKC's inevitable top target in the wake of the Andre Roberson injury. And as we touched on yesterday, with Billy Donovan as lead recruiter, OKC wasn't going to lose out https://t.co/QG1Do83ktU

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 1, 2018

Give me the Michigan-winged helmet for homecoming!

I hereby decree that we need more cartoons, of current players. These, from the 1940s and 50s, are superb. Is there not a graphic arts major on campus who can answer the call? The Ogbah is close – but it's lonely #TBT #GoPokes #okstate @OSUMBB @CowboyFB pic.twitter.com/yE6BXTjDC9

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) March 1, 2018

It’s March 1st and he’s done for the year… maybe not a bad gig.

Congrats to Coach Underwood on a fine season. 13th place Big 10 finish and an early vacation (he can afford a really nice one this year). Can’t beat that!

— Adam Lunt (@AdamLunt817) March 1, 2018

Heads up, Dave (start at 2:30 if you just want the laugh).

? @HolcombOKBLITZ got the scoop on tonight's game against Iowa State straight from @thacoachmike. #letswork #okstate

… but lookout for flying ? when you're standing that close to the court. pic.twitter.com/xPalH1AbNo

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 27, 2018

Congrats to the Cowgirl on player of the week.

Oh, you thought they were finished?@OSUWBB’s Loryn Goodwin & @KStateWBB’s Rachel Ranke closed the regular season out the right way. pic.twitter.com/EtmIXTLoin

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 28, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• James Washington signed a big-time endorsement deal
• Profiling OSU’s five combine invitees
• Oklahoma is freefalling in Boone’s latest Big 12 power rankings
• Carson and Porter talk OSU’s bubble team chances in latest pod
• Porter uses KenPom to look at how OSU compares to bubble teams

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• This on how we lack common sense (defined as uniform standards) as a society stalemating debates was helpful
• Suppose there will be some groaning but Time defines if you’re a Millennial or not