Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Gear up for Basketball Season
October 15, 2004 | Cowboy Basketball
That's the anticipated destination for the 2004-05 edition of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Sure, all teams dream of reaching the Final Four. Difference is, the majority of the OSU squad that made the trip to San Antonio last season is back, and ready for more.
Coach Eddie Sutton and his staff did lose three quality seniors off of last year's squad. Tony Allen, the co-Big 12 Player of the Year, is headed to the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association as a first-round draft selection. Also gone are reserves Janavor Weatherspoon and Jason Miller.
However, the Cowboys return four of five starters from last season's Final Four squad which also won the Big 12 regular-season championship and the Big 12 Tournament title.
John Lucas, named the Big 12 Player of the Year by the Associated Press, will return for his senior season at the point guard position. He averaged 15.1 points per game last year, including a team-high 17.4 points in league contests. John was a Wooden Award All-American, and is one of just three players returning from that list. He should be considered for national Player of the Year honors. John spent most of the summer in Houston, working out with other nationally-known players under his father's tutelege.
Also returning to the starting lineup around the perimeter is Daniel Bobik. A starter in all but one game last season, Bobik is a sharpshooter from anywhere outside the three-point arc. He ranked fourth in the league last year in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 41.6 percent of his shots. Daniel is also a valuable asset on defense, consistently able to contain his opponent.
The player with perhaps the most significant impact last year for the Cowboys was forward Joey Graham. After sitting out the previous season as a transfer, Joey came off the bench in OSU's first seven games before earning the starting nod against Texas-Pan American. He finished the season by being named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year by the league coaches, as well as All-Big 12. Joey played out of position last year, working mostly at the power forward spot. This year, he should be better suited for the small forward position, where he will be extremely difficult to guard.
Ivan McFarlin, the final returning starter, has been with the program for four seasons. He earned his degree in December of 2003, and regained a year of eligibility. He is a warrior in the post, despite being undersized. He will most likely play his more natural position of power forward this year, and should have a breakout season. He's an extremely good rebounder, and gets many of his baskets off putbacks. He has been working on his outside shooting, and focused on his post moves during the offseason. He has a chance to earn several postseason honors.
Oklahoma State returns just one perimeter player that came off the bench last season in senior Stephen Graham. The twin brother of Joey, Stephen averaged eight minutes per game as a backup to Allen a year ago. He is a very athletic player with uncanny shooting skills. He was hampered last season by Allen's 32 minutes per game. Stephen should step in right away this year, and will possibly enter the starting rotation in a smaller lineup.
Terrence Crawford is a fifth-year senior who has been plagued by injuries throughout his collegiate career. He made a valiant effort to get on the court last season, and his leadership skills proved invaluable in the Cowboys' run to the Final Four. Terrence began his career as a guard, but played mostly in the post last season, and should return there this year.
Another post player that saw limited action last year and should see more playing time as his career progresses is sophomore David Monds. Monds averaged nearly 7-1/2 minutes last year off the bench, and has gotten bigger and stronger this season. He is a powerful forward in the mold of McFarlin, and has plenty of time to improve his skills.
Frans Steyn, who has been tabbed as a project from the moment he stepped foot on campus, returns for what realistically will be his junior year. As a partial qualifier in 2001-02, he will be listed as a senior, but is on track to graduate in December. That would qualify him to receive an additional year of eligibility. Frans should improve a great deal with the return of assistant coach Jimmy Williams. Williams works extremely well with developing post players, and should help with the improvement of Monds as well.
A redshirt last year, Marcus Dove will finally get an opportunity to showcase his skills for the public this season. He is an athletic and agile wing player that has long arms and is extremely quick. He will have a chance to play extensive minutes at both the No. 2 and 3 positions.
Two newcomers have joined the Cowboys in their quest for the Final Four. Aaron Pettway, a post player originally from Mobile, Ala., never played high school basketball. After he grew six inches while in the United States Air Force, he earned a scholarship at Hutchinson Community College. He is a tall, long, defensive-minded, shot-blocking specialist who has a chance to see immediate playing time. While his offensive skills are still in their infancy, he should see lots of playing time in Coach Sutton's defensive scheme.
The other newcomer is freshman JamesOn Curry. He came to Oklahoma State as the most prolific scorer in North Carolina high school history. Curry is a tremendously gifted basketball player who is very athletic and an excellent shooter. He can score in a variety of ways, whether it be a pull-up jumpshot, a driving layup, or a long-distance trey.
There will be a lot of hype that surrounds this year's squad with so much talent returning from a Final Four berth. And, with the addition of several key pieces, it's shaping up to be one of the greatest season's in Oklahoma State basketball history.
With the anticipation of as many as 15 games being shown on national television this year, it's only a matter of time before the entire country has a chance to see of what this team is made.
