Previewing OSU’s Basketball Schedule: Non-Conference Part 3

It’s almost here; after months of excitement, and eager anticipation, basketball season is about to begin. We’ve already looked at the season opening cupcakes and the (monstrous) Maui Invitational.

After a trip to the islands, OSU returns home for one home game, before hoping back on the bus for their first, true, road-games of the season.

Let’s get started:

Player to Watch:
With four starters and the team’s top four scorers gone, I would keep an eye on Baron Smith Jr., who transferred in from Crowley College. At Cowley, Smith Jr. was the starting point guard and averaged a team-high 13.1 points and 2.8 assists per game as a sophomore.

Game Outlook:
Honestly, don’t care. What I want to know is why this game is on the schedule. RSU has this game listed as an exhibition. OSU does not. Does that mean we’re going to count a game toward our record, that the opposing team isn’t? Why was this game scheduled? OSU fans deserve better than this.

Quote From The Enemy: (source)

Player to Watch:
We all know Melo Trimble, what he has done and what he can do. *Dodd only started 13 games, and averaged 2.9 points a game. The guy I would keep an eye on is L.G. Gill, who transferred in from Duquense where he averaged 10.1 points and a team leading 6.5 rebounds a game.

Game Outlook:
Maryland lost four players who started at least 20 games from a team that reached the Sweet 16 in last year’s Big Dance. That includes the team’s top scorers and rebounders. They will still be a quality team, especially with Trimble back, but not anywhere near as talented as the last time OSU faced them in 2014; a game in which the Cowboys lost. I will be intrigued to see Underwood’s style matches up with Turgeon’s. Turgeon runs a man-to-man defense and a guard oriented offense. With OSU sporting one of the best backcourts in the Big 12, I think the Cowboys will be able to match-up well against the Terrapins.

Quote From The Enemy: (source)

I really like this team. They're very coachable and have worked very hard over the last three weeks. I like the pieces. We have great versatility and a lot of athleticism. I think our fans are really going to enjoy watching this team grow. - Head Coach Mark Turgeon.

Player to Watch:
Pat Birt is the only returning starter (he only started 18 games) and returning double digit scorer. The guys to watch are two transfers; Curran Scott and Jaleel Wheeler. Scott transferred in from the University of Charlotte where last year, he averaged 10.5 points 45 percent shooting. Wheeler played his last two years at Kilgore College where he 22.3 points a game, shooting 51 percent from the field, en route to a 2016 NJCAA All-America honorable mention.

Game Outlook:
Tulsa (who got a surprising inclusion in last years NCAA tournament) has ten new players this year, and returns only two players who ever saw the court. This is a rebuilding year, even with some decent transfers. OSU should get revenge for last year’s 66-56 loss in Stillwater.

Quote From The Enemy:

Recap:

OSU will beat Rogers State and Tulsa. I still don’t know what happened against Tulsa last year, but this year OSU easily has the more talented team. I’m not sure about Maryland. Road games are tough, and I always believe a team’s road record, when the talent is close, is indicative of coaching. I believe in Underwood, but I’m not sure I can predict a Maryland road win in his first season.

Record: 2-1
Overall: 6-3