Tulsa World: OSU Notebook: Welcome addition

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OSU Notebook: Welcome addition

Obi Muonelo may move back to his more natural position with the addition of Matt Pilgrim. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World file

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 10/25/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 10/25/2009 6:07 AM

Obi Muonelo, a 6-foot-5 senior, played the four (power forward) spot for Oklahoma State last season. The addition of big men, most notably Kentucky transfer Matt Pilgrim, may allow Muonelo to spend time at a more natural position this season.

And, for that, Muonelo is thankful.

"When I saw that (Pilgrim) was coming here, I called him every other day," Muonelo said.

OSU coach Travis Ford praised Muonelo for playing out of position. Muonelo averaged 12.7 points and a team-best 7.2 rebounds.

"I'm just a basketball player," Muonelo said. "If I can just be out on the hardwood, I can make something happen."

Meanwhile, Ford predicted Pilgrim, who is listed at 6-8 and 235 pounds, will be a major factor. He said Pilgrim is OSU's strongest and most athletic player.

"That's kind of, for us, what the doctor ordered," Ford said.

Progress report: Ford was asked about the development of second-year big man Teeng Akol.

"Depends on what day it is," Ford said. "I have been impressed with some of the things he has done. The biggest thing with Teeng is consistency. We just need more consistency out of him. But we have seen signs out of him that, hey, he could really help this team at times. But it's just can he do it on a consistent basis? That would give me more confidence in him every day, but I like some of the things he is bringing to the table."

A 6-foot-11 sophomore from Sudan, Akol played in five games as a freshman.

Ray of

hope: Ford said the newcomer who is creating the most "wow" moments in practice is freshman guard Ray Penn. "He's so talented offensively," Ford said.

Back for more?: Anderson got his first taste of the NCAA Tournament when OSU advanced to a second-round game against Pitt last season. Did the experience whet his appetite for a return trip?

"That's our main goal, not to only make it back, but to go deeper than we did," Anderson said. "We don't want to stop at the second round. We want to go deeper, as far as we can."

Anderson said he got mad and didn't watch NCAA Tournament games on television immediately after OSU's season-ending defeat because he thought the Cowboys could have gone further. But he relented and watched the championship game.

Key dates

Nov. 14: vs. Seattle, season opener

Dec. 2: at Tulsa

Dec. 16: at Stanford

Feb. 13: vs. OU By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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