Five Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 69-51 Victory against UMKC

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STILLWATER — The Cowboys were outjumping the Kangaroos.

In Oklahoma State’s 69-51 victory against UMKC on Saturday, the Cowboys outrebounded UMKC 40-24, and it seemed like every time a Kangaroo had a free route to the hoop, an OSU player was there to send the ball off the glass.

After taking over late in OSU’s win against Oral Roberts on Wednesday, Yor Anei was again dominant against the Kangaroos. Anei finished with a team-high 13 points to go with three rebounds, a block and two steals. And he did all that in 18 minutes.

Senior Cam McGriff also filled the stat sheet. In 26 minutes, McGriff put up 12 points. He also had team-highs in rebounds and assists, with six and four respectively.

OSU coach Mike Boynton said he emphasized being dominant inside Saturday. The Cowboys put up 42 points in the paint and shot only 10 3s.

“That was what we talked about doing,” Boynton said. “I wanted to know if we could, given the opportunity, dominate a game inside.”

Through two games, the Cowboys (2-0) have trailed for only 1:49 this season, all of that coming early in Saturday’s game.

After turning the ball over 21 times Wednesday, OSU had just nine turnovers against the Kangaroos. And after Wednesday’s game had 50 total fouls, only 31 were called Saturday. It made for a much smoother contest.

The Cowboys will make their first road trip of the season on Wednesday when they travel to an unbeaten Charleston team.

Here are five thoughts from Saturday’s clash with the Kangaroos.

1. Cade Cunningham Absent after Scheduling Conflict

Originally thought to be in house for the Cowboys game against UMKC, five-star commit Cade Cunningham traveled to Arlington (his hometown) Saturday morning.

Cunningham was in Stillwater for the Cowboys’ practice Friday. Four-star commit Rondel Walker was also absent Saturday, as his Putnam City-West team is in Texas this weekend for a showcase event. OSU target Bryce Thompson and Booker T. Washington are at the same event after Thompson took an unofficial visit to Kansas on Friday night.

There isn’t anything to worry about for OSU fans, though, as it looks as if Cunningham and Walker had a good time in Stillwater this week, despite missing the game.

So who’s next ??. #Maestro?? #BeOriginal? pic.twitter.com/jg8ai8kFoN

— 5. (@RondelWalker) November 9, 2019

The early signing period starts Wednesday when the Cowboys are on the road.

“I just won’t be here,” Boynton said. “I’ll still watch (the letters) come in. There’s this thing called the internet now. Half my job is done away from the office now.”

2. Scary Moment for OSU’s Dutchmen

With less than a minute to go in the first half, Hidde Roessink was down on the court grabbing his knee.

Jonathan Laurent drove to the goal before passing a ball to Roessink on the block. Laurent ran into a defender who took a charge, and that defender fell back on Roessink’s leg.

Roessink was down on the south end of Eddie Sutton court for a few minutes. He slammed his hand into the white maple hardwood and let out yells. He was eventually helped back to the locker room.

At halftime, there were positive updates on Roessink’s status. I was told it seemed mild, and while it would hold him out for the rest of the game, structurally everything seemed good.

Boynton didn’t have any further updates postgame.

“I think, at least what I understand now, is it’s maybe a sprain,” Boynton said. “I don’t wanna speak out of turn, wait until we hear back from the doctors and trainers. We think long-term he’s gonna be fine. I’m not sure exactly that means he’ll be able to practice again.

“Initially the scare was probably the biggest thing. We’ll see on Monday. Hopefully we’ll have an update on him.”

It’s made especially sad because Roessink’s father, Roy, has been in Stillwater this week from Holland. It is the first time Roy has been at OSU.

3. More Yor

Let’s talk basketball now, shall we?

Yor Anei took over late in the ORU game the other night, but Saturday he took over earlier.

Anei made back-to-back-to-back buckets out of halftime. He started the second half with a midrange jumper, his second midrange make of the game. On the Cowboys’ next possession, Anei tipped in a Cameron McGriff miss. And then on OSU’s third possession of the half, Anei scored with a left-handed hook shot in the post.

The OSU student section sounded like a group of vikings chanting “Yor, Yor, Yor,” after the second and third buckets.

“I feel like I got a little bit stronger, and I’m able to hold my position for a little bit longer now, opposed to last year,” Anei said. “I used to get pushed off the block every game.”

Anei’s potential seems limitless with his 6-foot-10 frame getting stronger. He was dominant of the defensive end as a freshman, and through two games as a sophomore he has just been dominant.

4. Chase-Down Guards

Both of OSU’s point guard had chase-down blocks.

It started when 6-foot-1 Avery Anderson turned the ball over midway through the second half. He didn’t give up on the play, though, as he ran down UMKC’s Marvin Nesbitt and sent his layup attempt off the glass.

Get you a guard that can do both ?#LetsWork | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/dg3uIdlhhk

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 9, 2019

“It’s just the effort in me,” Anderson said. “When coach says, ‘If you make a turnover, just hustle your A … you know … back and get the stop.’ So, that’s what I just did. The effort in me just knowing if I make a turnover, I just gotta hustle back and make a play for my team.”

A few minutes later Isaac Likekele sent another Nesbitt layup attempt in the other direction.

❄️?‍♂️?️#LetsWork | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/yCByVgAJLH

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 9, 2019

OSU’s point guards were bright spots against UMKC, combining for 14 points, three assists, seven rebounds.

OSU fans are getting accustomed to Likekele’s ability to takeover a game, but Anderson has wooed many with his work through the Pokes’ first two games.

“I’m an energy guy,” Anderson said. “I do everything, play on the defensive side of the ball, the offensive side of the ball. Whatever they need me to do to get the W, that’s what I am.”

5. McGriff Bounces Back from Rough Shooting Night

Cameron McGriff scored in double figures against Oral Roberts on Wednesday despite not making a field goal.

On Saturday, McGriff didn’t have to rely on his free-throw stroke. He started the game 5-for-6 from the field and had 11 points at halftime. McGriff finished with just 12, but he also had a team-high six rebounds and four assists.

On back-to-back plays in the second half, McGriff chased a ball into the crowd and landed on the same fan. After the two met the second time, the fan stood up and he and McGriff shook hands.

“I was really pleased with the way he bounced back,” Boynton said. “I didn’t think he played poorly the other day. He didn’t rebound as well as I would’ve liked, but to score 10 points without making a shot is pretty impressive.”