Oklahoma State University Athletics
The Little Engine That Could
December 11, 2013 | Cowgirl Basketball
Dec. 11, 2013
By Ryan Cameron, OSU Media Relations
During her first three seasons, Oklahoma State senior point guard Tiffany Bias repeatedly drew praise from opposing coaches around the Big 12.
Everything from “one of the best point guards in the country” to “one of my favorite players to watch in the league” were representative of the descriptions given to the Cowgirl sparkplug. Even legendary former Cowboy head coach Eddie Sutton chimed in, stating, “They would have a problem winning if they didn't have her. From that standpoint, I would say she was probably the most valuable player on the court.”
Despite being established as one of the premier guards in the most prominent women's basketball conference in the country, national recognition escaped the Andover, Kan., native. However, that all began to change when she capped her junior season by leading OSU to its first NCAA appearance during her time in Stillwater.
With March Madness as her platform, viewers across the country witnessed what everyone in the Big 12 already knew the Cowgirls had at their disposal — a competitor with an unrelenting motor. In fact, OSU head coach Jim Littell has offered up this assessment on more than one occasion.
“She plays as hard in the 40th minute as she does in the first minute.”
To secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, Bias refused to buckle when it mattered most for OSU, taking on a workhorse mentality during the home stretch of the schedule. During the Cowgirls' final 16 games, she came off the floor a grand total of four minutes and 20 seconds and played all 40 minutes on 12 occasions during that span.
Not only has her motor proven to be high octane, but durable as well. Bias has yet to miss a game during her career. As a result, she is primed to supplant Andrea Riley as the program's all-time assist leader and continue her ascent up the Big 12's top 10 chart.
Last season, word of Bias' toughness and determination began to filter beyond the borders of Big 12 country, drawing the attention of prominent figures in the women's basketball world.
“A big part of being a successful point guard isn't just wanting to be the leader, but also not buckling when that weight gets heavy. Tiffany Bias has the natural personality to lead, and she accepts the responsibility,” ESPN.com's Mechelle Voepel said.
Not only did she will a depleted OSU roster to an NCAA berth, she led her squad to the second round where it narrowly missed knocking off a Duke squad, which boasted a No. 5 ranking, on its home floor to reach the Sweet 16.
“I work every day and I do everything to make everybody proud. I don't want to disappoint anybody and I strive to be the best and do everything I can to help this team and help this program succeed,”Bias said.
And succeed it has.
As a freshman, Bias was immediately thrown into the fire and handed the task of replacing Riley, who exited Stillwater as the most decorated player in program history.
Without anybody to show her the ropes, Bias made her own way, finishing among the league leaders in assists and helping OSU to the second round of the WNIT.
“Replacing Andrea, I didn't realize how much she put into this program that was going to fall back on me,” Bias said.
“When I came here, (former OSU head coach Kurt) Budke was like, 'This is your team now.' As we all know, I kind of ran in circles my freshman year, so it isn't as easy as it looks. I had the work ethic, it was just putting it all together.”
Mentor or not, nothing could prepare Bias or her teammates for the next obstacle thrown their way. On Nov. 17, 2011, Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna were among four people killed in a plane crash while on a recruiting trip in Arkansas.
With a full season still to be played, Bias helped the Cowgirls pick themselves up off the canvas. While finishing among the top 10 nationally in assists per game, she guided OSU to a 20-win campaign and the program's first-ever WNIT title.
“We got through a lot. I have experienced a lot in my time here, probably more than you should have to experience. You just learn to come together as a family when things like that happen,” Bias said.
Through it all, Bias has persevered, continued to grow and made the OSU program better because of it.
“You have to get better every year. You don't want to maintain the same level you were at the year before. You have to have a good mindset of wanting to get better every day and get better every year,” Bias said.
Year No. 3 not only brought with it the NCAA berth that had eluded Bias, but much-deserved recognition as well. A second-team All-Big 12 pick for the second year in a row, she was also named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.
Her play in OSU's two NCAA games was enough to merit this response from Debbie Antonelli, who called the action for a national television audience.
“Tiffany Bias is a north/south point guard with 94/50 court vision. She knows the 3Ws of a point guard: who, when and where to deliver the ball. Her hoops IQ, mental prep and high-level skill set allow her to play analytically and instinctively in an up-tempo offense. Underestimated and underrated on the national scene, however that will change this year if you pay attention!”
Having already left her mark on the program, Bias wants to permanently cement her place in Cowgirl history. With a talented nucleus of returners, she holds the reins to a squad with its hopes set on a memorable season.
“We have a lot of depth and each game we improve, which is great. It is scary to think we can keep improving. Once all of our keys and everybody on our team starts hitting and we are all on the same page I think we can be a special team,” said Bias, who was rated as one of the nation's top five point guards by ESPN.com prior to the season.
With the ending of her career yet to be written, Bias has added another element to her game — mentor. Bias is looking to make the most of helping OSU's young players take advantage of a luxury she went without.
“I struggled a lot my freshman and sophomore year. I wish I had someone ahead of me to learn from and help me not make the same mistakes over and over again,” Bias said. “As these other guards come in here, especially Ro (freshman Roshunda Johnson), I think it is good for her to see when I mess up to not make the same mistakes that I make or just teaching her little tricks. and just keeping her head up the whole time.”
Through tragedy and triumph, Bias has practiced what she has preached. OSU's catalyst has kept her head up and the Cowgirl program is better for it.
