NIT rules mean changes for Cowboys, Eddie Sutton Court
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State couldn’t practice on Eddie Sutton Court on Monday. The Cowboys had to wait for the paint to dry.
OSU, having missed the NCAA Tournament, will host Florida Gulf Coast in a first-round NIT game Tuesday in Gallagher-Iba Arena, meaning the legendary venue’s court needed some revamping to meet the tournament’s experimental rules. In addition to a switch from halves to quarters and 20-second shot clock after offensive rebounds, the 3-point line will be pushed back 20 inches to the 22-feet, 1.75-inch distance the International Basketball Federations uses and the free-throw lane will be widened from 12 feet to 16 feet, the NBA width.
Unable to change out the hardwood in GIA, OSU instead applied a white water-soluble paint to map out the new 3-point line, while stickers will be put on Eddie Sutton Court to identify the wider free-throw lane. At times, the NCAA has adopted the NIT’s experimental rules as permanent changes.
With the paint applied Monday, the Cowboys practiced in their auxiliary gym, green tape marking the new lines.
“It’s different,” coach Mike Boynton said. “I like that they kind of tinker
with things. We want to try to make our game the best it can be, and looking at those type of things, this is a great time to do it.”
Sophomore guard Thomas Dziagwa, who has attempted more than 80 percent of his shots this season from 3, said he enjoys the changes, including the deeper arc. Dziagwa noted that the Cowboys have their own international touch, with junior Yankuba Sima being from Spain and sophomore Lucas N’Guessan being from Netherlands.
The Cowboys will have to adjust not only to the changes on the court, but also to missing the NCAA Tournament.
Boynton said he was happy with what he saw in the OSU’s lone practice between learning the bad news and the matchup with FGCU.
“Really pleased with their excitement about practicing,” Boynton said.
“That’s probably the biggest challenge, to get excited about doing something that you really didn’t want to do, especially when the thing that you want to do is about to happen also.”
Boynton, who has both played and coached as an assistant in the NIT, knows the importance of the opening game for clearing the disappointment. The Cowboys will try to do that Tuesday against the Eagles on a redesigned Eddie Sutton Court.
“The most important thing I’m worried about it making sure our team is in the right place mentally,” Boynton said. “Excited about the opportunity to play and continue our season. We’ll adjust to the rules, but the truth is, everybody’s playing the same rules for the first time, so there are no advantages in that regard.”