Daily Bullets (March 30)

Freshman 20

Mike Boynton continues a line of five Cowboy head coaches to win at least 20 games in their first year… What’s that about?

When coaches take over for fired coaches, there’s usually rebuilding to be done, so success is difficult. At OSU, Eddie Sutton took over when Hamilton went to Miami U. and left the cupboard full; Sean Sutton took over a long tradition of winning from his father; Ford took over a good roster, since Sean Sutton was fired for non-basketball reasons; and Boynton took over for Underwood when the latter left for Illinois. So only Underwood replacing Ford was rebuilding in order, and Ford left behind an NBA point guard in Jawun Evans. [NewsOK]

Travis Ford learned the hard way that you don’t want to be the guy that follows the family and Underwood learned it’s good to follow that guy (low expectations). But for a program who hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game in 13 years, the new coaches make a heck of an impression.

Compliments on the Complementary Pieces

An All-American candidate would be enough to take pressure off a quarterback but the OSU offense doesn’t stop there.

Jalen McCleskey, Dillon Stoner and Tyron Johnson each produced 100-yard performances in the second half of last season. McCleskey caught five passes for 109 yards at Iowa State. Stoner caught four for 113 against Kansas — and caught a touchdown in each of the final four games. Johnson hauled in four passes for 118 yards and two scores in Bedlam.

Three players, all capable of catches 50 passes or going for 1,000 yards in 2018. And that doesn’t include Tylan Wallace, the elite prospect who played his way onto the field as a true freshman.

That quartet will lead the way for OSU as it tries to lessen the effect of losing two 1,000-yard receivers.

One thing’s for sure: Whomever wins the starting job at quarterback will still have plenty of playmakers to work with. [TulsaWorld]

While it won’t be a couple of guys with at least an outside shot of both being selected in the first (or second) round, experienced, potent pass-catchers will make it easier on whoever wins the job this fall.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Big 12 representing at Final Four weekend – pulling for Kendall Smith in the 3-on-3….Five Pokes with the most to gain from spring ball….Ranking the undefeated non-Power Five teams since 1984….Mike Leach with some (questionable) marriage advice….Why Bill Self got emotional about this Kansas team

How this could impact college hoops is super interesting. The Ringer chimes in here.

Column on Darius Bazley (@BazleyDarius), projected top-10 pick in 2019 NBA draft, making unprecedented move, leaving Syracuse commitment to turn pro in G League: “Someone has to start the fire — and I believe I’m going to do that.” https://t.co/ujeVY3IfKy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 29, 2018

NCAA is somewhere between the IRS and a meter maid as far as likability but this is a classy move.

Wild story: The NCAA allows schools to fly families of the players to the Final Four for free. Udoka Azibuke's mom will fly in for Saturday's game. It will be the first time she will see her son in six years. SIX! For all the criticism the NCAA gets, they do a lot of good too

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 29, 2018

Happier than Gundy in Cabela’s.

This is the look of a man who has just seen the best facility in the country. pic.twitter.com/0TdLK7n4t6

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) March 29, 2018

Wowza.

A view from any angle. #okstate #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/1JU0uZgKN5

— Oklahoma State (@OSUAthletics) March 29, 2018

This is impressive.

Stat Sheet Stuffers
For the third year in a row, #okstate has the Big 12's leading scorer & rebounder.

Scoring
2016—Martin (20.4 ppg)
2017—@kjensen54 (18.7 ppg)
2018—@Lorynbabyy (20.6 ppg)

Rebounding
2016—Martin (11.2 rpg)
2017—@kjensen54 (10.5 rpg)
2018—@kjensen54 (10.7 rpg) pic.twitter.com/rTIJhUbIqL

— Cowgirl Basketball (@OSUWBB) March 29, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• OSU unveiled a $60m baseball stadium opening in 2020
• Five takeaways from a special day in Stillwater yesterday
• Carson and Porter talk about Boynton’s new deal and the new stadium
• Take a look at the top in-state hoops prospects for 2020
• See Thomas’ five off-season storylines for Cowboy Basketball

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• The belief isn’t my thing but this home family night sounds like a good deal
• Difference between the Spurs’ and Thunder’ cultures via Tramel
• How free agency impacted fantasy football values
• Benefits of wearing the same thing every day