2001 NCB Preview

Keyword
M COLLEGE BB
Scores/Schedules
Rankings
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Teams
Players
Message Board
SHOP@ESPN.COM
NikeTown
TeamStore
SPORT SECTIONS
Wednesday, October 3
Updated: October 10, 9:10 PM ET
 
ESPN.com Preseason Top 25

ESPN.com

Friday, Oct. 12
Oklahoma State gave new meaning to the concept of handling adversity last season, and conducted themselves with dignity and class throughout the tragic aftermath of the plane crash. This year, the Cowboys will be a better team, and Eddie Sutton has the personnel to go with a three-guard lineup, two of whom are the most versatile guards in the Big 12. Maurice Baker should have made the U.S. National Team this summer, and is a quick, natural scorer who is a great guard rebounder. Victor Williams improved steadily throughout last season, shoots off the catch or drives to shoot over you, and he buries his pull-up jumper. Aaron Hill and Cheyne Gadson can shoot it, and if Fredrik Jonzen, Andre Williams and Ivan McFarlin can rebound and defend, the Cowboys will be very good.
16
Oklahoma State
LAST SEASON: 20-10
2001 FINAL RANKING: NR

Why No. 16?
The Cowboys return their entire team intact and will still be one of the toughest defensive teams in the Big 12, let alone the nation. They've got two of the most unheralded guards in Maurice Baker and Victor Williams. And history shows that when Eddie Sutton has an experienced team he does well. It takes a few seasons to learn his system and once that happens the Cowboys are a tough out. They take care of the basketball, defend in the halfcourt and have one of the hardest homecourts in the nation. Oklahoma State will be one of the teams that doesn't get the national publicity, but will continue to be talked about in March, largely because of their chemistry and their competence at the point.

Will Rise If ...
The Cowboys get the necessary inside play off the bench. They've got the potential with Ivan McFarlin, but they need one to two players to help Victor Williams and Fredrik Jonzen. The Cowboys haven't had a problem defending but need to score inside with more ease.

Will Fall If ...
Oklahoma State can't exploit its perimeter play. The Cowboys have two of the best guards in the league and need to ensure they are the focal point of the game. If they get taken away then the Cowboys will be vulnerable.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

SCOUTING REPORT: One Big 12 coach's take on the Cowboys

Excellent guard play, quick and shoot it and control the game. Victor Williams can hit 3s on you quickly. He can control the game with his speed. It can be uptempo with him. It's a real problem. He drives it and get past you at any time. Maurice Baker can get past you easily and create his own shot. He's one of the better rebounding guards in the league. They're always a great defensive team so you have to run your offense. You must run your offense through their defense. Their defense is going to be solid. Fredrik Jonzen can step out and play with his back to the basket. He's a tough matchup and Andre Williams is relentless on the glass. They play really, really hard. They played a lot of minutes last year together. And they're winners. They're chemistry will be good from the outset because those four guys will be on the court a lot

2001-02 OKLAHOMA STATE ROSTER
Player Yr. Pos. Ht./Wt. Key 2000-01 Stats
(1) Maurice Baker Sr. G 6-1/183 PTS: 19.8 | REB: 6.7 | 3PT%: 40.8
(21) Antoine Broxsie Sr. F 6-10/241 PTS: 2.5 | REB: 2.4 | FG%: 56.3
(14) Terrence Crawford So. F 6-6/241 PTS: 3.5 | REB: 2.4 | FG%: 40.0
(30) Cheyne Gadson Jr. G 6-3/202 JUCO transfer will make it tough on Sutton to sit him; Good passer and pull-up shot
(2) Aaron Hill So. G 6-3/186 Silky-smooth shooter who'll score when open outside
(13) Guy Ikpah Fr. G 6-0/174 Redshirted during 2000-01 season
(12) Fredrik Jonzen Sr. F 6-10/229 PTS: 15.0 | REB: 6.5 | FG%: 52.0
(55) Jack Marlow So. C 7-0/308 PTS: 1.8 | REB: 1.7 | FG%: 51.2
(23) Ivan McFarlin So. F 6-7/221 Ineligible as a freshman, but has skills that compared to A. Williams in practice
(34) Melvin Sanders Jr. G/F 6-5/214 PTS: 8.0 | REB: 4.4 | FG%: 42.5
(44) Frans Steyn Fr. C 7-1/295 He looks awsome off the court, but S. African has never played basketball
(40) Andre Williams Jr. F 6-7/210 PTS: 6.8 | REB: 7.7 | FG%: 50.3
(5) Victor Williams Jr. G 5-10/185 PTS: 11.5 | AST: 3.7 | FG%: 36.5
Head Coach: Eddie Sutton (249-105, 11 years; Overall: 679-269, 31 years)
Assistant Coaches: Sean Sutton, Glynn Gyprien, Kyle Keller
Home Court: Gallagher-Iba Arena (13,611); Stillwater, Okla.

2001-02 OKLAHOMA STATE SCHEDULE
November
16: Cincinnati
17: Austin Peay (a)
19: TBD (b)
20: TBD (b)
21: TBD (b)
24: North Texas
29: New Orleans
December
1: Wichita State
8: Jackson State
17: N'western St.
19 at UMKC
22: at Arkansas
29: Ball State
January
5: Texas
8: at Baylor
12: at Iowa State
15: Kansas
19: at Texas Tech
23: Nebraska
26: Colorado
30: at Oklahoma
February
2: at Kansas State
6: Texas Tech
10: at Fresno State
13: Oklahoma
16: at Texas A&M
20: at Texas
23: Baylor
25: at Missouri
March
2: Texas A&M
6: Big 12 Tournament

(a) Las Vegas Tournament: Stillwater, Okla.
(b) Las Vegas Tournament: Las Vegas, Nev.

REST OF TOP 25
No. 1 Duke Blue Devils
No. 2 Maryland Terrapins
No. 3 Florida Gators
No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats
No. 5 Kansas Jayhawks
No. 6 Illinois Illini
No. 7 UCLA Bruins
No. 8 Missouri Tigers
No. 9: St. Joseph's Hawks
No. 10: Memphis Tigers
No. 11: Iowa Hawkeyes
No. 12: Michigan State
No. 13: Stanford Cardinal
No. 14: Temple Owls
No. 15: Virginia Cavaliers
No. 17: Boston College Eagles
No. 18: Georgetown Hoyas
No. 19: Oklahoma Sooners
No. 20: North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 21: USC Trojans
No. 22: Texas Longhorns
No. 23: Connecticut Huskies
No. 24: Alabama Crimson Tide
No. 25: Gonzaga Bulldogs

The ESPN.com Preseason Top 25 was selected by a panel made up of ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz, ESPN's Jay Bilas and ESPN.com college basketball editor Ron Buck.






 ESPN Tools
Email story
 
Most sent
 
Print story