BEDLAM BATTLE
The Cowboys and Sooners enter Saturday's Bedlam clash heading in different directions
STILLWATER — Donovan Williams loved the atmosphere Monday night inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The fans were great. The Oklahoma State players and coaches made him feel welcome.
There's just one problem: OSU lost a seventh straight Big 12 game.
“It hurts to see them struggling,” said Williams, a four-star recruit from North Star High in Lincoln, Nebraska, who made an unofficial visit during OSU's 65-50 loss to No. 3-ranked Kansas.
“But I'm also just a fan right now, so I can't change anything. Gotta focus on the potential big picture if I decide to go there.”
With the Cowboys preparing for Saturday' s Bedlam game at Oklahoma, the potential for a second straight disastrous season has emerged. OSU has been unable to win in conference play.
But OS U coach Mike Boynton keeps looking to the future. He's on the road recruiting, believing an influx of talent will bring the program back to prominence.
The nation's top recruit, Ca de Cunningham of Mont verde Academy (Florida), is on board for next season. Putnam West star Rondel Walker and Martin High (Texas) power forward Montreal Peanh ave also signed. More help is likely coming, too.
After bringing in a talented recruiting class that ranked in the top 25 last year, the Cowboys could welcome a top-10 class next season.
“Everyone, I think, understands there's a process to getting a program to consistent success, especially at this level,” Boynton said. “Unless you want to do it under the table in a not-above-board way, there's a quick fix to make, and that probably requires making some moral choices that I'm just not willing to do.
“Or, you can do it organically, and you can have one recruiting class and get another recruiting class that's better.”
Less than 24 hours after Monday's loss, Boynton was on a plane. He hit five cities in two days — including Lincoln, Nebraska, to see Williams.
Boynton's message was simple: Be the talent to bring the program to title contention.
“We're not ready to win a national championship yet,” Boynton said about his message. “But if we continue to build our talent pool, we think we'll get closer.”
But how does that resonate? Recruits t al k with each other. Watching loss after loss after loss can take a toll, even if they haven't joined the program.
“He tells me it's obvious that they need a player like me and Cade and Rondel,” Williams said. “Players that can make an immediate impact.”
For Walker, he's excited to be part of the next step in Boynton's plan.
“It's only a matter of time,” he said. “The f ans, team, coaches and all Poke fans know that Coach will get them through it. And next year when our class steps on campus, that
is the first step in turning a new leaf.”
It' s that kind of hope Boynton is holding onto 20 games into Year 3 of his rebuilding plan.
He's not giving up on this season. The Cowboys have three key seniors—Cam McGriff, Lindy Waters III and Thomas Dziagwa — who are getting more vocal in practice. They're desperate to turn things around in their final run.
But they're also surrounded by youth.
“We're building,” Boynton said. “I still believe that we're heading the right way.
“Not to look past this year, but as I continue to do my job as the leader of the entire program, we gotta continue to build as we move forward for the future.”