Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Host Athletes First in Exhibition Action
November 12, 2003 | Cowboy Basketball
Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-0) in exhibition action against Athletes First (1-5)
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 • 7 p.m.
Gallagher-Iba Arena • Stillwater, Okla.
radio - Cowboy Radio Network • internet - okstate.com • TV - none
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Projected Starters
Name Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG F 14 Joey Graham * 6-7 217 Jr. 13.3 5.6 F 23 Ivan McFarlin 6-8 237 Sr. 10.7 7.8 C 33 Jason Miller 6-8 239 Sr. 2.9 3.0 G 15 John Lucas * 5-11 152 Jr. 13.3 4.4^ G 24 Tony Allen 6-4 205 Jr. 14.4 5.4
Off the Bench
Name Ht. Wt. Yr. PPG RPG F 0 Tremaine Fuqua * 6-9 229 Jr. 13.1 7.2 C 4 Frans Steyn 7-2 289 Jr. 0.5 1.2 G 20 Daniel Bobik * 6-4 200 Jr. 6.8 2.2 G 21 Stephen Graham * 6-6 213 Jr. 12.0 3.9 G 25 Janavor Weatherspoon 6-1 165 Sr. 2.5 1.0
Athletes First Projected Starters (based on last game)
Name Ht. Alma Mater PPG RPG F 31 Louis Truscott 6-6 Houston 14.3 7.0 C 34 Patrick Okafor 6-8 Houston 14.3 11.3 G 10 Marcus Hill Tulsa 13.0 3.3^ G 20 John Woods 6-3 Missouri 19.7 3.7 G 23 Demetrius Shaw 6.7 5.3* stats are from previous school
^ denotes assists per game
Cowboys Open 2003-04 Season
Oklahoma State's Cowboy Basketball team opens its 95th season on the hardwood this Wednesday as the Pokes host Athletes First. Game time is set for 7 p.m. OSU was 22-10 last season, but returns just two starters from a year ago. Guard Tony Allen (14.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and forward Ivan McFarlin (10.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg) return following the loss of four seniors last season. Several newcomers will see immediate playing time due to that fact.
Pokes Ranked in both Preseason Polls
For the sixth time in the Eddie Sutton Era, Oklahoma State opens the basketball season ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Cowboys are ranked 25th in the AP poll, and begin the season ranked 24th in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. OSU is one of five Big 12 teams ranked in the preseason polls. Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas are also ranked in both polls, while Colorado and Texas Tech are receiving votes.
Sutton Successful with Division I Transfers
Coach Eddie Sutton has long been known as a successful coach with the uncanny ability to bring out the best in his players. That has never been more evident than in his ability to take Division I transfers and transform them into productive players. Former players like Sean Sutton (transfer from Kentucky), Brooks Thompson (Texas A&M), Doug Gottlieb (Notre Dame) and Victor Williams (Illinois State). A total of 12 players from other schools have transferred to OSU in the Sutton Era prior to last season. This year's roster includes five players that came to OSU after spending time at another Division I school. That includes Jason Miller (North Texas), Daniel Bobik (BYU), Joey and Stephen Graham (Central Florida), and John Lucas (Baylor).
Cowboys Predicted to finish fifth in league by writers, league coaches
In preseason polls conducted by the Big 12 Conference office, Oklahoma State has been predicted to finish fifth in the league by both the conference coaches and writers that regularly cover the area. Individually, Tony Allen received votes for the preseason All-Big 12 squad.
Cowboys Successful in Exhibition Contests
Oklahoma State has been very successful in exhbition games over the years, including a 25-1 mark in the Eddie Sutton Era in preseason contests. That one loss came against the Athletes First squad on Nov. 9, 2000, with the traveling squad coming away with a 96-95 win over the Pokes in Enid, Okla. Prior to 2000, the Cowboys had won 22-consecutive exhibition contests. The 22-game win streak dated back to Nov. 22, 1988, when the Cowboys lost, 80-63, to an outstanding USSR team — led by Sharunas Marchulenis, Arvidas Sabonis and Alexandr Volkov — that team also defeated Kansas that month.
