Daily Bullets (March 31)

A Turn For the Better

What a difference a year makes when you think about the non-football related legacy of Mike Holder.

A year ago, Holder seemed rattled by the Underwood situation. Fans and donors were angry. There apparently was a movement within the Board of Regents to push him into retirement, and OSU graduate Chad Weiberg was hired away from Texas Tech to become Holder’s new deputy athletic director.

It is presumed that Weiberg is viewed as Oklahoma State’s next athletic director, but there is no known timetable for a transition.

The guess here is that only Holder knows when Holder will be finished, but even his detractors must admit that his March 2018 has been a thing of beauty. [TulsaWorld]

While his legacy is a bit mixed (Travis Ford vs. Boone Pickens Stadium), finishing the baseball stadium fundraising and what appears to be a good (to possibly great) coaching trajectory of Mike Boynton semi-guarantees he goes out on his own terms.

An Inside Job

Depending on some news the Pokes could be getting after Tax Day, the interior of the Cowboy offensive line could be looking solid.

Larry Williams is the wild card this spring. Offensive line coach Josh Henson won’t use Williams in practice until it’s known whether or not he is granted another year of eligibility. Williams, who participated in OSU’s pro day, said he’ll find out around April 18. If he comes back to Oklahoma State, he solidifies the right guard position.

At that point, the interior of OSU’s line will look solid: Marcus Keyes at left guard, Johnny Wilson at center, Williams at right guard. [TulsaWorld]

A strong interior tends to correlate with a strong rushing attack (think Cowboy offensive attack in 2014 for an inverse), another building block that will help in the post-Rudolph-to-Washington offense finding an identity.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Holliday’s dreams to become reality with the new stadium….Why Catholic colleges are so good at basketball….What Loyola’s Final Four revenue will do for the Missouri Valley….What’s the point of “Junior Days” in recruiting?….Why Nick Saban’s defense is matchup-proof

Gundy got a raise and raised the banners. It’s reasonable – it’s like all the tourney banners in the basketball practice facility.

First #OKState football media availability since the Camping World Bowl. What’s new: Bowl banners in the practice center pic.twitter.com/KuZFHC8HaT

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) March 30, 2018

Top dogs.

Once again, #okstate received all 23 first-place votes and holds the No. 1 spot in the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll for the fourth consecutive ranking! #golfschool pic.twitter.com/9oHjMuPd3y

— Oklahoma State Golf (@OSUCowboyGolf) March 30, 2018

When Allie was young.

Saw games at old University Park, and the 1980 season at Couch Park, and so much greatness in the 1980s and 90s at Allie P. Kinda sad to see her go, but man is it exciting to see what @OSUBaseball gets for a new home #GoPokes #okstate pic.twitter.com/4BoM9dT0xq

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) March 30, 2018

Pokes seem to do well in San Antonio.

Good luck to @Ken2Smoove repping the Big 12 at this weekend at @3X3UHoops in San Antonio. Check this out! #letswork #okstate

➡️ https://t.co/SEHiL2XxFb pic.twitter.com/9U8edGrorC

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 30, 2018

Good for Stevie.

You really never know who you will see at an NBA arena. Former #okstate player Stevie Graham (goes by Stephen now) works in player development for the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/ZtoOGWlPtc

— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) March 30, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• How to reconcile Gundy’s lack of recruiting power
• Get updates from Gundy and Co. on spring football
• Best 24 hours of Mike Holder’s career as an AD
• Former Cowboys set to compete in the Bill Farrell Memorial

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• As you/if you gather with family this weekend, eight rules for good storytelling
• Nylon Calculus examines the value of OKC’s Steven Adams (as did Bill Haisten)
• Easter post I enjoyed – “Our Pioneer through the Storms of Death”

May name my next son after the guy.

What a play by Steven Adams. Bats the jump ball up the floor to Paul George. PG13 gets the layup. pic.twitter.com/qMrQhYJpzi

— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) March 31, 2018