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November 2, 2009

Cowboys teach, learn in first week

Justin Hite — Stillwater NewsPress

The first week of practice have been like a roller coaster to Oklahoma State freshman forward Roger Franklin. His new coach, Travis Ford, has shown the freshman exactly what Oklahoma State basketball is like.

It’s filled with plenty of running in practice. Almost more running than drills. But if there is one thing Franklin has learned, it’s that there is plenty of running to be done. That’s the way he likes it.

“(Ford) loves to get up and down, but at the exact same time we play with structure,” Franklin said.

Franklin, along with a large handful of new Cowboys, has made it through his first week under Ford. It’s a week that has been filled with lessons to be learned for the new core of Oklahoma State. Lessons that are coming from more than just the head coach.

Everyone from senior forward Obi Muonelo to sophomore guard Keiton Page have had a hand in teaching the seven newest Cowboys exactly how Ford likes his ship steered. Page gives advice on what to expect during the freshman campaign while forward Marshall Moses shows what needs to be done off the court.

“I’m the best guy, because I used to be that guy who wanted to go out instead of work out,” Moses said.

But the biggest help for the young Oklahoma State Cowboys — almost three months younger than any other team in the Big 12 — is the sideline.

While Ford pitches his message about what he wants on the court, Muonelo, forward James Anderson and the four other returning Cowboys remind the seven new guys what he wants on the sideline.

“For all the returning guys, we can help Coach Ford teach the whole system to them,” Anderson said. “Last year, it was new to everyone so everyone had to pick it up from Coach Ford. The returning guys from last year know how we play and what to expect.”

And the younger guys are beginning to make progress. Both Muonelo and Anderson felt the freshmen have made progress. During the past few weeks, Muonelo has seen the first-year Cowboys make extra strides.

“The team is developing faster because the guys that have been here already know how to do it,” Muonelo said. “So the guys that are watching are catching on to what we are doing.”

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