OSU Basketball Notebook: Injury update
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Monday, November 26, 2012
11/26/12 at 5:47 AM
Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said after Sunday's game that forward Michael Cobbins and reserve center Marek SouÄek could return to practice this week.
Cobbins hasn't played since fracturing his left big toe in an exhibition.
"I'm hoping by Wednesday he'll be out there, at least practice 50 percent," Ford said. "I haven't even talked to a trainer about this. ... Hopefully (he'll) be able to play, but they may tell me no, not at all."
SouÄek was on crutches Sunday after a knee sprain Friday against Tennessee. The two injuries, coupled with Brian Williams and Jéan-Paul Olukemi being out for the year, have left the Cowboys without enough players to scrimmage in practice.
"We didn't get enough done in practice this week," Ford said. "We didn't have enough bodies. I was out there practicing Wednesday and Thursday, and that's not good."
Ford said he was hoping to find former players to help during practice.
Guarding Forte: Every time guard Phil Forte touched the ball in the first half, coaches on the Portland State bench shouted "Shooter!"
"After a while, you just get used to it," Forte said. "I know that's what it's going to be like every game, so I have to find other ways to be able to contribute to the team besides just 3-point shooting."
Forte hit a pair of treys against the Vikings, including one on which he was fouled and hit the free throw, and added three other field goals. Whenever Portland State would hone in on him, he was able to distribute the ball to an often-open teammate.
Miscellaneous: Marcus Smart's nine assists is the third-highest single-game total by an OSU freshman.
Portland State's 22 first-half points are a season-low for the Vikings, while the Cowboys' point totals in the first half (40) and second half (41) are season-highs.
Up next: The Cowboys play at Virginia Tech (5-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Hokies twice beat OSU last season, by a combined total of eight points.
