Five Thoughts on OSU’s 83-62 Win over Mississippi Valley State

The Cowboys took it to the visiting Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State to start the season 7-1, which means Mike Boynton ties Eddie Sutton for second-most wins in as many games to start his tenure. The only coach to start 8-0 his first year at OSU was Sean Sutton.

Here are my thoughts on the game and how the Cowboys’ season has started in general.

1. This team is really going to miss Jawun

That probably goes without saying, but it might be the only thing I’m sure of after eight games. Kendall Smith and Brandon Averette are capable floor generals and have each had his moments but Evans was just a better player who constantly made his teammates better.

And if nothing else, Jawun could go win a game for you. I don’t think OSU has a player like that on its roster, point guard or otherwise, for the upcoming Big 12 slate.

2. Mike Boynton’s rotations still taking shape

Boynton made the first change to his starting lineup in his short career, opting to start small with Cam McGriff getting the nod over Lucas N’Guessan. I don’t know that it was as much of a scheme for MVSU as it was just to try it out before a giant leap in competition this weekend.

OSU went with a near hockey lineup change subbing in Dziagwa, Carroll, Averette and N’Guessan with only Cam McGriff staying on the floor.

The Cowboys continued to go inside early to Mitchell Solomon and even N’Guessan. Solomon was 5 of 5 for 11 points with all of his shots coming in the first half. He even stepped out and made his first 3 of the season.

Big Mitch with the TREY!! ?? #okstate leads MVSU 24-14 at the 7:46 mark! pic.twitter.com/r2p32SB5pU

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 3, 2017

3. Fool’s Gold from 3?

The Cowboys shot 38 percent from 3 on Sunday making 11 of 29 attempts. Not a bad number by any stretch. But the Cowboys were only shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc heading into Sunday, yet have shown a propensity to fall in love with the deep ball too often this season.

When it comes within the flow of the offense or in transition, it’s great. When your team looks like it’s sleeping walking through the motions and settles on them in three out of five possessions, it isn’t.

4. They Takin’ it back

The Cowboys forced a season-high 21 turnovers and nabbed 13 steals, also a season best. Oklahoma State uses its length and athleticism to pressure teams and get into passing lanes. That’s resulted in a 23.0 percent forced turnover percentage and 16.5 forced per game.

On Sunday, those 21 TOs led to 24 points. That’s going to have to be a battle OSU wins a lot if it wants to steal some games from some of the teams it will face in league play. Its next opponent, Wichita State has been giving it away at 17.8-percent clip good for only 104th nationally. If the Cowboys want to have a chance at the upset, the same applies.

Basically, we need to see some more of this.

That's the 15th forced turnover of the game! Shine ➡️ Smith for ✌️#okstate leads MVSU 53-35 with 15:36 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/UhfwuTdaf5

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 3, 2017

5. We’re about to find out what this team is made of.

The Cowboys have beaten all the teams they were supposed to beat and lost to the one (Texas A&M) it was supposed to lose to. But in the wins, they haven’t always looked extremely impressive.

Now, with just four games left before Big 12 tips off on December 29, the Cowboys face two Power 5 opponents in the next three games, starting with the 8th-ranked Wichita State Shockers.

This Jekyll and Hyde offense and inconsistent defense we’ve seen is not going to see the Cowboys fare too well against the Wichita States or West Virginias or even TCUs of the world.

Additional Notes

• According to Allison Gappa, Dziagwa put up 20,000 3s in 28 days during the summer at the behest of his new head coach. That appears to be paying off with the sophomore shooting 56.1 percent coming in. Unfortunately, Dizzy went 1-of-7 from beyond the arc against Mississippi Valley State.

Dizzy with the SPLASH ? #LetsWork pic.twitter.com/Z8fpcceYqc

— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 3, 2017

• Dizzy didn’t have his best game on Sunday. The effort was there. The shot wasn’t and then there were a couple of head-scratchers. On back-to-back possessions, Dziagwa decided to run the baseline on a spot throw-in, which resulted in a turnover. Then he ran over a defender out of control for an offensive foul on the next possession.

• Brandon Averette blocked a 3-point shot. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time that’s ever happened.

• The Pokes shot 53 percent from the field, a season high, but did it against a team ranked 345th out of 351 teams in opponent field goal percentage per Ken Pom and a defense ranked dead last in efficiency (351st). Wichita State is currently ranked 15th and 11th in those two stats.

• Brandon Averette must hold on of the highest dribbles-per-possession average of any OSU point guard ever. He and Smith tend to take too long to get into an offensive set in the half court, at times. Against a good defense, that will not bode well for OSU’s chances to score.

• OSU led wire-to-wire and have only trailed a total of 2:23 in game time at home in six games this season. I’m going to go head and predict this is the last time we see that staff referenced this year.

Next up: The Cowboys play host to the Wichita State Shockers for a 3 p.m. tip in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday, December 9.