Tulsa World: Eaton, Harris last men standing

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Eaton, Harris last men standing

Terrel Harris, shown earlier this season, and Byron Eaton are the only holdovers from their recruiting class. Tulsa World file

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 12/29/2008 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 12/29/2008 3:40 AM

Let's call roll on the fraternity of the missing:

Martavius Adams. Jamaal Brown. Keith Brumbaugh. Kenny Cooper. JamesOn Curry. Roderick Flemings. Gary Flowers. Gerald Green. Torre Johnson. Ibrahima Thomas.

Common denominator? All enlisted to play basketball at Oklahoma State. None completed tours of duty.

Green, Brumbaugh and Flowers never played a game. The others left either by choice or because they were told to hit the road. Regardless, OSU became one of the most attrition-scorched programs in the country.

How many other Division I schools have lost 10 scholarship players to premature exits the past four seasons?

Byron Eaton and Terrel Harris are the only holdovers from their recruiting class, which consisted of six high school players and three junior college transfers. It was alleged to be the best recruiting class in school history. All the Cowboys have to show for it are three NIT trips.

At times, Eaton wonders what might have been (NCAA Tournament trips, perhaps) if ex-teammates had stayed.

"It's mainly just talking in the locker room, talking about the battles we used to have in practice," he said. "It's kind of hard to talk about because they didn't stay here. They would have had great careers here and would have gotten better. It would have been that much more help to have on our team."

For the first time in their careers, Eaton and Harris will face a team with an "ex" on the roster. OSU plays a Monday home game against Arkansas State.

Adams, a sophomore forward at ASU, is sitting out this season, per NCAA transfer rules. He was a reserve post player for the Cowboys last season.

Would Eaton like to win to make Adams regret leaving? The thought has crossed his mind. But, said Eaton, "We can't look in the past or dwell on it. We just have to get ready for this season, my last season, and keep working with the team we have right now.

"There's nothing you can do (about players who left). You can't get mad or think about it. You've just got to keep playing with the team we have and make the best of it..."

OSU can improve to 11-3 by sweeping home games against Arkansas State, Northwestern State and Savannah State. Eaton believes OSU is capable of getting double-digit wins in league play and getting NCAA Tournament-caliber credentials.

"I think this will be the turnaround year, turning it around from the years before, and we will have a great season," he said.

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

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