Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Host Stars in Exhibition Opener
November 07, 2005 | Cowboy Basketball
Oklahoma City (2-0) at
Oklahoma State (0-0)
in an Exhibition game
Tuesday, November 8, 2005 • 7:05 p.m.
Gallagher-Iba Arena [13,611] • Stillwater, Okla.
Radio — Cowboy Sports Network
Dave Hunziker & Tom Dirato
Flagship Station - KSPI 93.7 FM (Stillwater)
internet - www.okstate.com
OSU Begins 97th Season of Hoops
Oklahoma State opens its 97th season of men's basketball on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. in an exhibition game with Oklahoma City University. The Stars are members of the Sooner Athletic Conference as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Oklahoma City is 2-0 on the season with an 80-68 win over Mid-America Christian and an 89-58 victory over Huston-Tillotson. OSU is 1,396-973 in its previous 96 years on the hardwood, good for a 58.9 winning percentage. The Cowboys are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005, as well as their second-consecutive Big 12 Championship title. However, Coach Eddie Sutton and his staff have had to replace nearly the entire roster with just four returners on this year's squad from a year ago.
OSU vs. Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State owns an all-time record of 14-6 vs. Oklahoma City, although the two teams have not met on the court since 1982. OSU defeated OCU 76-64 on Dec. 29, 1982, in the All-College Tournament in the last meeting, which coincidentally was during the last year that OSU made the NCAA Tournament prior to Coach Eddie Sutton's return to Oklahoma State. Interestlingly, these two teams have only played in Stillwater twice previously, first during the 1928-29 season when OSU won 31-20, and most recently, on Dec. 11, 1979, when OCU was victorious, 77-72.
Cowboys Excel in Exhibition Contests
Oklahoma State has been very successful in exhibition games over the years, including a 27-1 mark in the Eddie Sutton era. That lone loss came against the Athletes First squad on Nov. 9, 2000, with the traveling team 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 streak dated back to Nov. 22, 1988, when the Cowboys lost 80-63 to an outstanding Soviet team — led by Sharunas Marchulenis, Arvidas Sabonis and Alexandr Volkov.
Cowboys Earn Preaseason All-Big 12 Honors
Sophomore JamesOn Curry was named to the five-man preseason All-Big 12 team by the Big 12 Conference office in a vote of the league coaches. He joined Iowa State's Curtis Stinson, Taj Gray of Oklahoma, and the Texas duo of P.J. Tucker and Daniel Gibson. Junior Mario Boggan was named co-Newcomer of the Year by the conference office, splitting the vote with OU's Michael Neal. OSU's other junior college transfers, Jamaal Brown and Torre Johnson, Jr., also received votes in the poll of league coaches.
Curry Named to Preseason Watch List
Cowboy sophomore JamesOn Curry has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2005-06 John R. Wooden Award. One of six players listed from Big 12 Conference schools, it is the third-consecutive year that OSU has had at least one player listed on the preseason ballot. Tony Allen and John Lucas were on the ballot in 2003-04, and Joey Graham and Lucas made the ballot last season. Other Big 12 stars on the preseason ballot are Daniel Gibson and P.J. Tucker of Texas, Oklahoma's Taj Gray, Jarrius Jackson of Texas Tech and Iowa State's Curtis Stinson.
Recruiting Class to Make Major Impact
Any time a recruiting class is ranked No. 1 nationally, there are expectations of immediate contribution. However, in OSU's case this season, that immediate impact is vital. The Cowboys lost all but players from a year ago, including four of five starters. To ease the transition, Sean Sutton and company went out and recruited the best class in Oklahoma State history. He went out and picked up the top-ranked point guard in the junior college ranks in Jamaal Brown. He got a signature from Torre Johnson, Jr., the top small forward in junior college. Mario Boggan was ranked the No. 3 power forward in the junior college ranks. Those rankings were all according to Rivals.com. Scout.com had a very similar ranking for OSU's high school signees. Byron Eaton was ranked the No. 3 prep point guard in the country. Keith Brumbaugh was ranked the third-best small forward in the country coming out of high school, while Roderick Flemings was the 10th-best wing forward. Kenny Cooper was ranked the No. 10 center in the country according to Scout.com.
JUCO Talent Critical at OSU
Coach Eddie Sutton has been very successful in taking junior college transfers and developing them into vital role players for the Cowboys. This year should be no different. Mario Boggan (Chipola College), Jamaal Brown (College of Southern Idaho) and Torre Johnson, Jr. (Garden City Community College) should all follow in the footsteps of some of the best players in the Sutton era.
Former Cowboys in the NBA
Three former Oklahoma State Cowboys were listed on rosters in the NBA on opening day. Desmond Mason, a first-round pick of the Seattle Supersonics in 2000, has been traded to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets from the Milwaukee Bucks. Tony Allen, a first-round draft selection in 2004, is in his second year with the Boston Celtics. Joey Graham, a first-round pick of the Toronto Raptors this past summer, is entering his rookie season.
OSU Receives Votes in Coaches Poll
Despite the loss of six of their seven top scorers from a year ago, the Cowboys have still received votes in the preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. Oklahoma State earned 34 votes from the panel of voters, enough to tie with Charlotte for 34th place, if the poll was extended.
