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OSU's nonconformist coach

OSU coach Travis Ford fields questions during Big 12 Media Day on Thursday. Ford says he would like to put the best players on the court, regardless of size. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World
 
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 10/24/2008  2:04 AM
Last Modified: 10/24/2008  3:13 AM

 OKLAHOMA CITY — New Oklahoma State basketball coach Travis Ford could put a traditional lineup on the floor — a point guard, a couple of wings, a couple of inside players.

But he would rather break the mold, if necessary, and get all his best players on the floor at the same time. And that means OSU might go the small ball route.

Guards are the strength of the team. Ford said he talks with his staff every day after practice about how to get the best players on the court.

"Our best players might be four guards," Ford said during the Big 12's preseason basketball media day. "It might be five guards. You never know."

Guard-types Byron Eaton, James Anderson, Obi Muonelo and Terrel Harris combined for 96 starts last season, with Muonelo and Harris splitting time in the lineup. Ford said sophomore guard Nick Sidorakis is "playing great" and, as of now, should be considered among the team's five best players.

No one in the forementioned crew is taller than 6-foot-6. Using them simultaneously would come with an element of peril.

"Obviously you have got to figure out how to rebound the basketball," Ford said. "Obviously you are not going to be throwing it inside to relieve pressure, which I think is always important. How are you going to defend the post? How are you going to defend the other big guys? Those are all question marks."

But Ford said those are areas that can be camouflaged. He said he didn't have a great rebounding team last season. UMass still won 25 games. It's a risk-reward thing, according to the coach.

"The rewards are they have got to match up to you as well," he said, adding that opponents will have to worry about defending OSU's shooters and keeping Cowboy guards from penetrating. "Zone could be tough to play against us."

Ford said he has been experimenting with different lineups and using players in positions that perhaps they haven't played before.

"It might be Terrel Harris at a No. 4 (power forward) spot," he said. "It's not that big a deal really."

Eaton said he isn't worried about being at a disadvantage if four or five guards are on the floor, just as long as 5-foot-10 freshman Keiton Page doesn't have to defend somebody large.

"I think we will do a great job of matching up because we all can just pick somebody up and just guard them all," Eaton said.

OSU returns a starting center in 6-11 sophomore Ibrahima Thomas. Ford said he won't feel compelled to use two inside players for the sake of conformity.

"If I have some big guys step up and play the way we need them to, then yes," he said. "But I'm not going to put big guys in there for the sake of putting them in there. They have got to do something to help us."

Ford said Thomas and forwards Marshall Moses, Anthony Brown and Malcoln Kirkland are capable of coming around and helping inside. "But we are asking them to do something that they are not really used to doing or built to do."



Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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Matt, (10/24/2008 8:15:23 AM)
Good God, Mr. Iba is surely rolling in his grave.
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Bullnose, Jay (10/25/2008 2:38:06 AM)
In the end, should'nt this make them better players? You want to play, practice harder to earn your right to play. No more walking the ball up the court, it's time to sprint. I'm eager to see how it pans out. Nothing but awe and respect to Mr. Iba and the Suttons. I supported them and now I support our new coach. GO POKES!!!
 

 
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