Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys host Bears in Big 12 Basketball action
February 13, 2004 | Cowboy Basketball
Oklahoma State (18-2, 8-1) hosts Baylor (7-15, 2-7)
in Big 12 Conference action
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004 • 3:03 p.m.
Gallagher-Iba Arena • Stillwater, Okla.
radio - Cowboy Radio Network • internet - okstate.com • TV - ESPN+
Cowboys host Bears
Oklahoma State will host the Baylor Bears on Saturday, Feb. 14, in Gallagher-Iba Arena. Tipoff is set for 3:01 p.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN Regional, part of the Big 12 Conference’s television package. OSU is 18-2 overall, 8-1 in Big 12 Conference action and ranked 10th nationally in both the Associated Press and the USA Today/ ESPN Coaches polls. The Cowboys are also tied with Texas as the best teams in the league after defeating Kansas, 80-60, Monday night in Stillwater. BU is 7-15 overall, 2-7 in conference play and coming off an 8458 loss to Texas in Waco on Tuesday night.
On television
Saturday’s game will be televised by ESPN Regional, with Bill Doleman handling the play-by-play duties and Paul Splittorff providing color commentary. A list of particular television outlets carrying the game can be found elsewhere in this release.
Last time out
All five Cowboy starters scored in double figures, and OSU handed Kansas its most lopsided loss since 2000 as Oklahoma State defeated the Jayhawks, 80-60, Monday night in Gallagher-Iba Arena before a capacity crowd. John Lucas scored a team-high 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Tony Allen added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Ivan McFarlin (12 points, seven boards), Daniel Bobik (11 points, five assists) and Joey Graham (10 points, eight rebounds) were all in double-figure scoring. OSU took a nine-point lead just 3-1/2 minutes into the game, and extended that lead to 19 at the 10-minute mark of the first period. The Cowboys led 44-26 at halftime, were up by as many as 23 in the second stanza, and never let the Jayhawks get closer than 16. Other than several big runs by the Pokes, the difference in the game was rebounding, where OSU outboarded Kansas, 43-26. The Cowboys, while committing three more turnovers than KU, outscored the Jayhawks in points off turnovers, 29-8.
About Baylor
Baylor is 7-15 overall this season and 2-7 in Big 12 Conference action. The Bears have defeated Iowa State (63-59) and Texas A&M (72-64), both at home. BU is led by senior forward Terrance Thomas, who is averaging 16.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Harvey Thomas, a junior-college transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, is second on the squad in both categories, averaging 16.1 points and 5.9 boards per contest. As a team, the Bears are only being outscored by an average of 5.8 points per game, and outrebounded by just 0.3 boards per contest.
Series history
Oklahoma State leads the all-time series with Baylor, 39-12, including a 16-2 mark in Stillwater. One of those two losses came last year, when the Bears upset the Cowboys, 74-72, in Gallagher-Iba Arena. OSU is 13-3 vs. BU since the Big 12 formed in 1996-97, and 14-3 in the Eddie Sutton era. Oklahoma State had won 11 consecutive games over Baylor until last year’s loss.
Taking advantage of the home court
The Cowboys have been very successful at home so far this season, sporting a perfect 11-0 record. OSU has used its up-tempo offense and stifling defense to be successful. The Pokes are averaging 81.2 points per game in the friendly confines of Gallagher-Iba Arena this season, and are outscoring their opponents by an average of 22.1 points per game. Oklahoma State is shooting 52.9 percent from the field, including 39.7 percent from long range in the historic building. OSU is outrebounding its opponents by an average of 7.8 boards per contest, and the Cowboys have a 1.21 assist/turnover ratio in GIA. The one glaring statistic that has not improved in home games is free-throw percentage. OSU is shooting 66.6 percent from the charity stripe overall this season, but just 65.6 percent in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Offensive dominance
Oklahoma State’s offense has been impressive this season. The Cowboys have scored at least 80 points in 12 games this season, and are currently averaging 78.9 points per game, the second-best mark in the Big 12 Conference and the highest by a Cowboy squad since the 1997-98 season (also 78.9 ppg). The Cowboys have outscored their opponents by 30 or more points in six games this season, and lead the league with a +17 scoring margin. OSU is shooting 52.1 percent as a team, which leads not only the Big 12 but the country. The Pokes’ are connecting on 40.6 percent of their shots from beyond the three-point arc, also leading the league. Oklahoma State has 339 assists on 591 made shots, an average of one assist for every 1.74 shots made. Compare that to last year, when the Cowboys had one assist for every 1.96 shots made.
Defensive pressure
While Oklahoma State’s offense has been quite potent, the defense has also been playing well. The Cowboys are giving up just 62 points per game, the third-best mark in the league, while allowing 40.7 percent shooting from the floor and 32.1 percent shooting from beyond the three-point arc. The OSU defense has forced 352 turnovers, an average of 17.6 per contest (second-best mark in the Big 12) and scored an average of 20.8 points per game off those miscues. The defense has taken 22 charges as a team, led by Ivan McFarlin’s eight. The Cowboys lead the league in allowing rebounds, giving up just 30.9 boards per contest. OSU is also third in the league in steals, averaging 8.9 thefts per game.
Minimizing miscues
The Cowboys have made some dramatic improvements in their ball-handling skills this year as opposed to last season. In 2002-03, OSU had a +1.97 turnover margin when the season was complete. This year, the Pokes have a +3.25 turnover margin. Last season, Oklahoma State ranked 11th in the league in assist/turnover ratio at 0.86. This year, OSU is averaging 1.18 assists for every turnover. The Pokes are second in the Big 12 in assists, averaging 17 dishouts per game. OSU was 10th in that category last year, averaging just 12.8 assists per contest. The Cowboys have 287 turnovers this season, an average of 14.4 per game, while forcing an average of 17.6 per contest.
Shooting lights out
Oklahoma State is shooting 52.1 percent from the floor this season, one of the best all-time marks in school history. The best shooting season OSU has ever had occurred in 1982-83, when the Cowboys shot a school-record 53.1 percent from the floor. That year, the Pokes were 931-of-1,753 from the field. The second-best mark in school history is 51.4 percent, shot by the 1992-93 squad. Oklahoma State has shot better than 50 percent for an entire season only four times in school history (53.1 percent in 1982-83, 51.4 in 1992-93, 50.4 in 1983-84, and 50.2 in 1994-95), with two of those occuring in the Eddie Sutton era.
Free throw improvement
Oklahoma State’s free-throw shooting has improved dramatically recently. After the Colorado game, OSU was shooting 63.9 percent from the free-throw line for the season. That average has improved to 66.6 percent over the last five games, thanks to a 92-of-126 shooting performance (73 percent) from the charity stripe in the last five contests. Of OSU’s eight games shooting better than 70 percent this season from the line, four of them have come in the last five games.
Eight-game streak promising
During OSU’s current seven-game winning streak, several trends appear promising. The Cowboys are shooting just over 70 percent from the free throw line, and shooting nearly 45 percent from long range. More specifically, the Cowboys’ two most consistent three-point shooters, John Lucas and Daniel Bobik, are shooting 54.8 and 48.4 percent, respectively, from beyond the arc. OSU’s five primary post players are shooting 53.5 percent. Six of the Cowboys’ 10 regulars have an assist/turnover ratio of 1:1 or better. The five OSU starters are scoring 87.5 percent of the team’s total points during that eight-game streak, and yet each player of the bench has played a vital role on the court.
Ivan ranks among school’s best
Foward Ivan McFarlin, who grabbed double-figure rebounds in back-to-back games against Southeastern State and Arkansas, ranks among the best rebounders of all-time in OSU history. He became the 12th player in school history to record 600 boards when he grabbed eight vs. Colorado. He also moved into 11th place on the all-time rebounding list in that game. He needs 31 rebounds to move past Andre Williams and into 10th place on the school career list.
I-Mac moving up other career lists
With 21 points vs. Iowa State, McFarlin became the 33rd player in school history to record 900 points in an OSU career. He now has 924 points in his career. He needs six points to move past Melvin Sanders, 16 to surpass Clayton Carter and 22 to move into the top 30 of all-time. Ivan recorded his fourth double-double of the season and the 18th of his career with 13 points and 10 rebounds vs. the SMU Mustangs. His 18 double-doubles ties him with Joe Atkinson and Don Youman for the fifth most in school history. Ivan has 98 career blocked shots, and sits in sixth place all-time in school history. Ivan recorded a career-best six blocks against Southeastern State. Leroy Combs sits in fifth place with 167 career blocked shots. Ivan needs 69 more deflections before catching the top five.
Lucas is the real deal
Junior John Lucas was named the Big 12 Conference’s Player of the Week for the second time this season for his efforts against A&M and ISU on the road. He leads the league with his 2.9 assist/turnover ratio, and is second in the Big 12 Conference in assists per game, averaging 4.85 assists per contest. The 5-10 guard has 97 assists and just 34 turnovers in 20 games this season. He dished out a career-high 13 assists vs. SMU, recording his second double-double as a Poke. He also had 10 points against the Ponies. Against Southeastern State, he recorded his first double-double with 11 assists and 10 points. He has had double-figure scoring in 15 games this season, including a season-best 27 at Texas A&M. He is averaging 19.3 points per game over the last eight contests, and is second to just Andre Emmett for scoring average in conference games only. He leads the team and is second in the league in free-throw shooting at 87.3 percent. John made ESPN Sportscenter’s top plays of the week for his midcourt heave against Arkansas just before halftime.
Allen one of league’s best
Senior guard Tony Allen is one of the best players in the Big 12 Conference. The 6-4 Chicago, Ill., native currently ranks fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. He’s also averaging 5.1 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. Tony has made more shots than anybody else on the team at 117, and is shooting 50.9 percent from the field. He scored a season-high 24 points against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and also tied career bests in assists with seven and steals with five in that game. Tony scored 20 or more points for the fifth time this season with 21 vs. Texas A&M, a game in which he connected on 8-of-14 shots from the floor. Tony has 787 career points, and needs just 13 to become the fifth player in school history to score 800 points in just two seasons as a Cowboy. Brooks Thompson scored 996 points in 1993-94, while Maurice Baker scored 967 in 2001-02. Ed Odom had 945 points in 1979-80, and Mark Tucker had 844 points in 1978-79.
Bobik coming up big time
Junior Daniel Bobik has been a pleasant surprise this season. The 6-4 guard was named the MVP of the Touchtone Energy All-College Classic. He is averaging 9.2 points per game this season, and is shooting 51.2 percent from the field. His long-range accuracy is just as impressive. He has made 36-of-73 shots from beyond the arc this season, good for 49.3 percent. That includes a 5-of-7 effort against Southeastern State and a 4-of-5 outing against SMU. He is second in the Big 12 Conference in three-point field-goal percentage, and ninth in three-point field goals made. Daniel has 67 assists in 20 games this season, surpassing his single-season best (34) while at BYU. In two seasons with the Cougars, Bobik averaged 5.2 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
Miscellaneous Notes
Oklahoma State is 18-2 through 20 games for the second-consecutive season, and the third time in the last five years ... OSU’s 8-1 mark in conference play is the best since the 1999-2000 squad was also 8-1 ... The Cowboys have won their first 11 home games, the third time in five seasons that OSU was undefeated through their first 11 contests in Gallagher-Iba Arena ... Oklahoma State is ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the third-consecutive year and the fourth time in five seasons ... OSU has held its opponent to 25 percent shooting or less from three-point range seven times this season ... The Pokes have connected on 23-of-40 shots from long range over the last three games, or 57.5 percent ... that’s also an average of nearly eight treys per game ... Oklahoma State is now 13-0 this season when making more free throws than its opponent, and 16-0 when allowing fewer than 70 points ... the Cowboys are 4-0 this year against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll at game time ... the Cowboys shot over 70 percent from the free throw line for just the eighth time this season against Iowa State, but for the fourth-consecutive game ... that string was broken against Kansas ... the Pokes were outrebounded by their opponent for just the fifth time this season against Texas A&M ... OSU is currently 11-0 this season in Gallagher-Iba Arena, and has won 10 or more games at home for the 16th-consecutive season ... the Cowboys are now 176-20 at home under Sutton, an 89.8 winning percentage ... Oklahoma State has won eight-consecutive home games over teams ranked in the AP Top 25. That dates back to a 79-61 loss to fourth-ranked Kansas on Jan. 15, 2002.
National rankings
As of Feb. 9, Oklahoma State ranks in the top-30 nationally in five statistical categories. The Cowboys lead the country in field-goal percentage, shooting 52.1 percent from the floor. OSU is sixth in scoring margin, outscoring its opponents by an average of 16.9 points per game. The Pokes are eighth in won-loss percentage at 90 percent. OSU is 23rd in assists per game, averaging 17 per contest. Oklahoma State is 34th in scoring offense, scoring 78.9 points per contest.
Coming up
Oklahoma State will travel to Norman, Okla., Monday night for the second Bedlam matchup of the season. The Cowboys will play Oklahoma (15-5, 5-4) on ESPN’s Big Monday. It will be the second-straight appearance for OSU on Big Monday, and the second of three in four weeks. Next weekend, Oklahoma State will host Nebraska (13-7, 3-6) in a non-televised game on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
