BOYNTON CONFIDENT
Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton has faith his experienced team will be successful this season
Oklahoma Stat e basketball coach Mike Boynton said the Cowboys have the talent to compete in the Big 12 and move past last season's 12-20 finish.
He's certain they have the leadership.
Three starting seniors return—Thomas Dz iagwa, Cam McGriff and Lindy Waters III—and they' re primed to have success.
“They never flinched, they never stopped believing in each other or in our program,” Boynton said during Wednesday's Big 12 media day in Kansas City, Mo. “They've given everything they could to Oklahoma State. I think now is their opportunity to show what winning looks like. They're winners off the court, for sure, but I think this year's going to give them an opportunity to show they can be leaders for a team that can win on the court.”
The trio has stuck together through a lot of adversity.
They were recruited by Travis Ford, who was no longer the coach when they arrived.
A year later, Brad Underwood left. Last year, depth took a big hit and the season was lost.
“It's been a roller coaster,” Waters told ESPN+. “I felt like God's just thrown many things at us. I'm just glad to have two other fellow seniors that never second- guessed anything. We fought through everything.”
With OS U' sex hi bit ion opener against Rogers State set for Nov. 1, their final journey begins.
“I' m really excited to see how this story ends,” Boynton said .“I believe it will be a really good ending for them.”
OU's Harmon wants to take responsibility
De' Vi on Harm on wants to make Oklahoma better.
The So one rs' freshman guard said the team has to be better than it has been in recent years, and he wants to take responsibility for it.
"I want people to put that on my shoulders, let me handle it," Harmon said. "I don't care if I'm a freshman or not."
OUcoachL on Kruger is happy with what he's seen from Harmon since workouts started in June.
"Couldn't be more pleased by t he progress he's made from that point to this point," Kruger said ." Very well prepared coming out of high school, played for a very good program ... so he had a great base from which to work and he's doing terrific."
Waters compares new freshman to Patrick Beverley
OSU freshman point guard Avery Anderson III has been a popular choice as a newcomer to make a big impact.
He' s been consistent in practice. He's pushed starter Isaac Likekele. Anderson even won last week's dunk contest.
Now, he' s drawing rave reviews for his defense from teammates.
“He's going to be a big piece,” Waters told ESPN+. “I think of him as a Patrick Beverley. He picks up full court, he's super quick, really fast and just a really hard-nosed defender.”
Veterans helping younger Sooners develop
With many new players on its roster, OU will look like a different team compared to last year.
The new faces have gotten help from returners Kristian Doolittle, Jamal Bieniemy and Brady Manek, Kruger said.
"It's unusual to have that many new guys at one time," Kruger said. "Our vets have done a good job helping the younger players. It's been a fun group to work with every day and watch them get better."
The Sooner swill play Southeastern Oklahoma State in an exhibition on Tuesday before starting the regular season against UTSA on Nov. 5 at home.