Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Quotables: Open Practice
October 07, 2023 | Cowboy Basketball
After exactly 200 days with no basketball at Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State fans got their fix Friday afternoon at open practice along with a sneak preview of the new-look men's basketball team. Likewise, nine new Cowboys got their first taste of OSU's passionate fan base. Head coach Mike Boynton spoke to the media afterward to discuss the day. Read on for some of the highlights.
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OKLAHOMA STATE HEAD COACH MIKE BOYNTON JR. ON …
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… The decision to host an open practice:
"I wanted to give our fans a chance to see what we're working with – give them a behind-the-scenes idea of what they can expect to see over the next six, seven months as we start our season… Hopefully, this generates a lot of interest, whether it be from the season starting or guys just eager to see all the new pieces, all the new toys in here [and what they] look like."
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… What his players hopefully learned from the experience:
"First, I want our guys to start getting familiar. So many of them are new. They don't really know how passionate our fanbase is. So, to see a couple hundred people come out for a random practice… I think it shows that we continue to make a program that's relevant."
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… Additional benefits of having fans in the stands for practice:
"Anything that shows this program matters to people. People willing to invest their time, resources and energy in supporting you and helping you be successful [is beneficial], because – the truth is – our fans are a big part of us being successful and attracting recruits and showing our players currently that they have supporters. So it was phenomenal."
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… How he felt the team handled the open practice and the distractions that come with it:
"It's definitely different. A lot of things that you usually have to really focus in on in practice become a little harder when you got noise and distractions around you. But I thought they handled it well, and I'm pleased with the progress this team is making in the first two weeks of practice."
... What he hopes to see between now and the start of the season:
I just want to see us make more shots and turn the ball over less. We've got to continue to get better on the defensive end, but we've made great progress offensively just by being more committed to taking great shots and, obviously, taking care of the basketball.
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… Jamyron Keller's explosive play around the basket:
"He's always been that way. Obviously, I think the summer program has really helped him kinda learn how to use his explosiveness. Mitch [Mark Mitchell] did a phenomenal job with all those guys, but he's one that's pretty naturally gifted."
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… on Connor Dow's offensive game:
"He does really shoot it well… He [adds] really, really good athleticism on the wing. Anything coming off the catch, catching a lob – he dunks it – and then [on-ball] he catches it, comes down with it and comes to the three-point line. He's gonna be a really, really good player."
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OKLAHOMA STATE HEAD COACH MIKE BOYNTON JR. ON …
Â
… The decision to host an open practice:
"I wanted to give our fans a chance to see what we're working with – give them a behind-the-scenes idea of what they can expect to see over the next six, seven months as we start our season… Hopefully, this generates a lot of interest, whether it be from the season starting or guys just eager to see all the new pieces, all the new toys in here [and what they] look like."
Â
… What his players hopefully learned from the experience:
"First, I want our guys to start getting familiar. So many of them are new. They don't really know how passionate our fanbase is. So, to see a couple hundred people come out for a random practice… I think it shows that we continue to make a program that's relevant."
Â
… Additional benefits of having fans in the stands for practice:
"Anything that shows this program matters to people. People willing to invest their time, resources and energy in supporting you and helping you be successful [is beneficial], because – the truth is – our fans are a big part of us being successful and attracting recruits and showing our players currently that they have supporters. So it was phenomenal."
Â
… How he felt the team handled the open practice and the distractions that come with it:
"It's definitely different. A lot of things that you usually have to really focus in on in practice become a little harder when you got noise and distractions around you. But I thought they handled it well, and I'm pleased with the progress this team is making in the first two weeks of practice."
... What he hopes to see between now and the start of the season:
I just want to see us make more shots and turn the ball over less. We've got to continue to get better on the defensive end, but we've made great progress offensively just by being more committed to taking great shots and, obviously, taking care of the basketball.
Â
… Jamyron Keller's explosive play around the basket:
"He's always been that way. Obviously, I think the summer program has really helped him kinda learn how to use his explosiveness. Mitch [Mark Mitchell] did a phenomenal job with all those guys, but he's one that's pretty naturally gifted."
Â
… on Connor Dow's offensive game:
"He does really shoot it well… He [adds] really, really good athleticism on the wing. Anything coming off the catch, catching a lob – he dunks it – and then [on-ball] he catches it, comes down with it and comes to the three-point line. He's gonna be a really, really good player."
Players Mentioned
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