Daily Bullets (March 4)

Where to Begin?

A program-invigorating win like yesterday’s will have our minds (and servers) buzzing through Wednesday when the Pokes take on the Sooners – but something that stood out was the Cowboys’ big shot-maker from yesterday. And he didn’t just show up for the first time at 3 p.m. on the white maple.

(Kendall) Smith has most benefited OSU late, not only in the season but also within games. His game-tying shots in the final seconds against Iowa State and Oklahoma sparked the Cowboys to a pair of overtime victories. He scored 10 of OSU’s final 14 points in its upset of Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. He was the Cowboys’ leading scorer in victories over ranked opponents West Virginia and Texas Tech.

“He’s always been the big-game, big-shot maker,” Kirkland Smith said. “He wants the ball. He wants to make the shots.” [NewsOK]

The game’s high scorer in Stillwater Saturday afternoon has come on strong in big games – taking shots late in the clock, off-balance and intense moments. Point guards play deep in March and while he didn’t look like a clutch-shooting, team-carrying star in November, Kendall Smith gives the Pokes a chance in any dogfight.

Prepping for Finals

Mason Rudolph had been hard at it prepping for yesterday’s showing at the NFL Combine – and learning from Oklahoma State great Zac Robinson has given him an edge.

“Every night we had something to talk about, to watch his film and get him up on the board and explain plays and explain protections and really kind of get into some of the questions that he might get asked,” Robinson said. “Revisit all of his clips and his plays from the year. Obviously as the year goes on, you forget about certain plays here and there, so it’s just a matter of watching all those in as great of detail as we could.”

They also dissected NFL quarterbacks to help Rudolph understand formations, defensive structures and how offenses attacked. Rudolph said he has spent much of the past nine weeks working on taking snaps under center, something he rarely had to do at OSU. [TulsaWorld]

The article expounds on how Robinson and Rudolph have been throwing, dissecting film and rehearsing interview questions since the Camping World Bowl – what an asset for a program to have a quarterback whisperer as an alum just a phone call away.

OSU and NCAA Notes

OSU seniors led the way, leaving the Jayhawks chalked in Stillwater….TulsaWorld did an excellent profile on Cowboy wrestling coach/legend John Smith….Board of Regents approved concession stand upgrades in BPS….Former Cowboy safety Tre Flowers is a mid-round sleeper to keep an eye on….Men’s Big 12 bracket is set

Are we positive he would win coaching in GIA for the good guys? Numbers don’t look great.

Bill Self's updated record at Gallagher-Iba Arena: 4-7. He clearly loves his alma mater. #okstate

— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) March 3, 2018

OU alum on national stage advocating for the Pokes.

6 wins against ranked teams? NIT teams don't do that. NCAA ones do. @OSUMBB should be IN the Dance. #GoPokes #OkState #Unbiased

— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) March 4, 2018

Kendall Westbrook reveling in a podium game.

#okstate senior Kendall Smith doing his Russ Westbrook impression in postgame. pic.twitter.com/1eSOeE1Bbf

— Jimmy Gillispie (@jgillispie_stw) March 3, 2018

Wouldn’t call a few close wins “beating the crap out of all of them” but Rudolph did have good showings.

OK State QB Mason Rudolph asked about playing against "statues in the secondary" in the Big 12.

"Well we played Colorado, Washington, and Virginia Tech and beat the crap out of all of them…Throw on the tape and that'll kill that argument right there."

— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) March 2, 2018

Which of these is the Blackmon’ fade? Easy answer is the Washington Post.

James Washington's #ReceptionPerception route percentage and success rate charts. Excellent results.

(yes these got a makeover) pic.twitter.com/ErhMcnSv3F

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 1, 2018

This is something else.

*record scratch*

*freeze frame*

"Yep, that's me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation." pic.twitter.com/j5edhIFyTL

— Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) March 4, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Do yourself a favor and read Porter’s Five Thoughts from the win over the Jayhawks
• Mike Boynton’s comments to the crowd were inspired, exciting even the most cynical
• Cox brings the Instacap from the top-ten win
• Watch OSU faithful rush the court after the upset-win
• Bedlam round three is on deck for Wednesday night