Notebook on Oklahoma State-Iowa State: Pokes’ First Win in Five Years

Oklahoma State beat Iowa State for the first time in a long time on Saturday, and I had five thoughts on that. But of course I had some additional notes and tidbits, including some fun tweets from Saturday’s big W in GIA.

Let’s go.

• I Loved Yankuba Sima starting. He’s a real piece. A great rim-protecting big. I also like that it allows Cam McGriff to come off the bench. He’s probably more spark plug-y than Sima is.

• Lindy Waters seems to really help spread the floor. He might be OSU’s best inside-outside threat other than Carroll. Dizzy is obviously a better shooter, but he’s not going to drive on you. Brandon Averette and Kendall Smith are better drivers, but they don’t make anyone fear them from deep. This is why Waters (along with Tavarius Shine) is so important when it comes to the offense.

• I think this is true (and important to remember).

I know the Underwood debacle sucked for the program but it’s pretty clear Mike Boynton is a pretty good upgrade from Ford.

— PFB_Nate (@PFB_Nate) January 6, 2018

• Smith likes to shoot long 2s like Gundy likes to tuck in hoodies. I got an email from somebody last week that said Jeff Newberry thinks Kendall Smith is in love with long 2s. I laughed.

• Please stop talking about Trae Young during my Oklahoma State basketball game thank you. I know what time he plays and how many points he’s averaging and how many times a week he clips his nails thanks.

• Yes!

Kendall Smith said he spent some time in between Bedlam and today watching film of how Jawun Evans was able to push the ball for #OKState last year. Tried to be more cognizant of his tempo today.

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) January 6, 2018

• OSU needs to be better at defending the 3-pointer. They came into the game ranked No. 125 in the country (came in No. 259 in 3-point percentage, by the way, not good!)

• This was Oklahoma State’s first win over Iowa State since January 2013. Jordan Sterns and Marcell Ateman had yet to sign with OSU.

No player on this #OKState roster had beaten Iowa State before today.

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) January 6, 2018

• ISU went on a 17-2 run to end the first half.

• Steve Prohm looks like his twice-a-week meetings about how to use Microsoft Excel more efficiently are about 45 minutes too long.

• Had nothing to do with this game, but my goodness!

Down by 30 but damn that is one hell of a hustle assist and finish by Evans/Harrell pic.twitter.com/t1W5vbGeil

— ?Sky Wob? (@World_Wide_Wob) January 6, 2018

• “Lard” is such an unfortunate last name.

• This is what he should be doing every time down.

• OSU is 9-0 when holding its opponent to under 42 percent shooting from the field this season. Held ISU to 40.6 percent.

• I would play 20 feet off of Averette. Maybe 30.

• Yes.

#okstate simply needs Jeffrey Carroll to play like a Big 12 first teamer or they are cooked in league games. He’s doing so in OT.

— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) January 6, 2018

• I loved Loved Boynton getting fired up late. He’s been pretty even-keeled so far, but he also hasn’t faced many Big 12 refs so far.

Kendall Smith and Tavarius Shine said postgame it was the most animated they've seen Mike Boynton at halftime. Boynton: "We played immature basketball for the last half of the first half. We played like we thought they were going to stop playing." #okstate

— Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) January 7, 2018

• OSU is now 127-48 in Big 12 games in GIA.