OSU freshman Marcus Smart awaits first Bedlam contest

BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Saturday, January 12, 2013
1/12/13 at 6:58 AM

STILLWATER - Marcus Smart knows a little about Bedlam.

"They've been telling me it's a big game," Oklahoma State's freshman point guard said. "It's been crazy over there between OU and OSU over the past few years. I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Smart will learn more about the rivalry game against Oklahoma while experiencing it firsthand Saturday afternoon at Lloyd Noble Center. As an elite recruit, he caught a Bedlam game or two on TV.

"I could feel the atmosphere from sitting on my couch watching it," Smart said. "You could just feel how crazy it was and how loud. It looked fun to play in."

Smart has participated in his share of Bedlam-like games. In his final three years of high school at Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus, he and OSU teammate Phil Forte went 14-0 against cross-district rivals Flower Mound and Lewisville.

"Those two games I probably was the most hyped I've ever been in my life," Smart said. "We sold out both games every time, home or away.

"It was a very big game and I was just prepared and ready to play in them. As a rivalry like that, you have no choice but to get pumped up and excited for it."

While the Cowboys (11-3, 1-1 Big 12) have won five of the past eight meetings against OU, they haven't picked up a victory in Norman since 2004.

"I just remember it was a tough environment to play in (last year at OU)," OSU senior center Phil Jurick said. "But I think we're ready with the Virginia Tech crowd and the Kansas State crowd, and this year is a whole different team.

"I think we're prepared to go on the road and get wins."

Only once (Feb. 7, 2007) in the past eight years has neither team had a native Oklahoman in the starting lineup for Bedlam, as will be the case Saturday. Despite that, the players seem to have picked up on the added meaning for the in-state rivalry.

"It's just different," OSU junior guard Markel Brown said. "It's a big fight between these two schools. It's us going out there and playing for the pride of our university."

In last year's meeting in Norman, four Sooners scored in double figures in the 77-64 win. All four are back this season.

"It's a team I know they're excited about, and they should be," said Cowboy coach Travis Ford, who is 5-5 against OU. "They've got veteran players and they've added transfers and good young players.

"It's a makeup of a team that I think will definitely compete at the top of the Big 12."

Rough road ahead for Cowboys?

OU has won the past eight Bedlam games played in Norman. A look back at each of OU's wins during that stretch.

Date	OU margin
2/22/12	77-64
3/5/11	64-61
1/11/10	62-57, OT
3/7/09	82-78
1/28/08	64-61
2/7/07	67-60
2/27/06	67-66
1/24/05	67-57

Big 12 leaders

Team	Big 12	RPI
Baylor	2-0	34
Kansas	1-0	2
Kansas St.	1-0	42
OU	1-0	18
OSU	1-1	30

Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

OSU freshman Marcus Smart enters his first Bedlam leading a Cowboys team that lacks an Oklahoma native on its roster. KT KING/For the Tulsa World