The Weight of Brad Underwood’s First Tournament Game at OSU

Brad Underwood’s first year in Stillwater has been a resounding success. And it’s not based solely on wins. That total hasn’t been decided yet. We’ll have to wait until Friday to see how his young Cowboy squad — ranked 241st in experience — can weather a big-time game in a big-time atmosphere in Indianapolis.

When measuring the success of his first year, we need to look at all the evidence. We have a win total, 20 and counting. Not bad. Of course, OSU’s last three head coaches topped 20 wins in each of their first years at OSU. Leonard Hamilton was the last not to do so and he only lasted four years at the job.

So do we measure success in NCAA wins? That would be a bit harsh, at least for a first year. We know Travis Ford made the Tournament five times in eight years, but his ceiling was as an at-large bid and first-round exit after his first team was bounced by Jamie Dixon’s Elite 8 Pitt team.

Eddie Sutton’s teams missed the Tournament just three times and lost in the second round twice, but his ceiling was much higher. The Hall-of-Fame snub can count two Final Fours and six Sweet 16s to his OSU resume — including Sweet 16 runs his first two years.

So what is a successful run for the fan base in Underwood’s inaugural season? Making it back to the Tournament after a one-year absence? That’s hardly legendary. Sweet 16? Elite 8? Not losing in the first round?

That’s remains to be seen. If Oklahoma State loses a close one to a Michigan team that has been as hot as any these last two weeks, where does that leave Underwood and his young team?

How do we measure success? The dictionary says it’s “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one’s goals.”

The goal for Underwood’s first year didn’t include a set number of wins or a distinct tournament path. It was simple. Gain back the support of a fan base who had checked out. In less tactful terms, get butts in seats. Underwood has done both, while installing a different culture and the type of optimism you can’t buy.

A win on Friday would make a lot of us happy. Is that enough? Regardless of the Friday outcome, this season has been a roaring success for Underwood. Plus, we shouldn’t exalt or condemn a head coach based on one Tournament game.

We’ve all seen where that gets us.