Why Did Steve Lutz Start Freshman Ryan Crotty in the Win Over Auburn?

STILLWATER — Ryan Crotty has yet to play a single minute, officially, at the collegiate level, but the freshman has already earned quite the reputation inside the confines of Gallagher-Iba Arena.

“The amount of shots he gets up on a daily basis, on a weekly basis, is absolutely insane,” assistant coach Keiton Page said. “He is one of those guys, when he shoots it and he misses, it surprises you. And it’s because he puts so much time into it, and he is so confident, because he does spend so much time. …

“I mean, there’s a good likelihood if you open that door and walk into GIA at some point during the day, you’re gonna see Ryan in there shooting. I feel like he never leaves the gym.”

Staffers and players voted Crotty as the team’s hardest worker earlier this offseason. All that time has already begun paying off first in the form of his first, unofficial, collegiate start in the exhibition win over Auburn.

Crotty finished that evening with three rebounds and four points after knocking down 1-of-2 3-pointers before fouling out after 15 minutes.

“I’ve said it over and over, Ryan works the hardest. … I’m not doing it (starting him) just because he works hard,” Lutz said. “He’s a good player, and he can really shoot the basketball. You know, his growth is going to have to come on the other end. You know, he just gets in positions where, you’re faced against tougher, more athletic people, and I shouldn’t even say tougher, you’re just faced with quicker and more athletic people, and you’ve got to figure out ways to keep them in front of you. You know, without fouling.”

Another OSU staffer described the speed of the game defensively as the biggest adjustment the freshman will have to make this season. He will get one more warm-up, in another exhibition at SMU on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Even if that remains a work in progress for a bit, no one questions his work ethic or his shot.

Anthony Roy, who was last seen burying the Tigers under a 5-of-10 barrage from the 3-point line, named Crotty when asked who on the team could give him a run for his money.

“Ryan, let’s just say that there’s 30 weeks, Ryan’s been the number one shot taker and maker for 27-28 weeks,” Lutz said.

When describing the freshman further, Page compares his “relentless” nature to that of the Cowboys’ head coach. The OSU assistant said that kind of attitude already made an impact on his teammates.

“We have really good guys in that locker room,” Page said. “It does make them want to push and take their game and take the extra time that they spend to another level. Now his, he’s a maniac.  … to catch Ryan Crotty and those numbers like, I mean, you might want to bring a sleeping bag and a pillow up to GIA.”