Originally published at: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/unlikely-heroes-cowboys-lean-on-reserves-following-suspensions-in-nit-win-over-davidson/
STILLWATER — On a night when Oklahoma State’s lineup was nearly unrecognizable, it makes sense that some of the Cowboys’ biggest late-game heroics came from an unlikely individual. Daniel Guetta, who played 18 minutes of basketball since New Year’s, drilled a 3-pointer to give Oklahoma State a 2-point lead with four minutes to play. He then secured that lead by stealing the ball from one-time OSU commit Parker Friedrichsen. Guetta drew a foul on the would-be uncontested fast break and knocked down both attempts at the free throw line to extend the Cowboys’ lead to four points with 1:42 to play, allowing Oklahoma State to survive the first round of the NIT with an 84-80 win. Guetta finished the night with 11 points and two rebounds after playing 21 minutes. He wasn’t the only change in the lineup on Tuesday night. According to the broadcast, Oklahoma State suspended lead scorer Anthony Roy, No. 2 scorer Vyctorius Miller (ignoring actual No. 2 Parsa Fallah, who is out with a season-ending injury) and Isaiah Coleman, who is sixth among available players in both minutes and points. In their absence, Oklahoma State’s first two players off the bench were Mehki Ragland (58 minutes…
So does anyone know what those suspended players did?
No, but it’s giving me shades of Mike Boynton. On the one hand, I don’t think the coach is necessarily responsible for what players do and punishment is warranted when they step out of line. On the other hand, I think sometimes these “nice guy” or “players” coaches have discipline problems because the players don’t fear or respect the coach like they should. I think Boynton was praised for dismissing players, but then he had to do it again a couple years later and it’s a huge setback. Once these things happen, it’s too late. Prevention and accountability up front is better. Again, he’s not necessarily responsible, but he could be at least partially responsible. We’ll see if this becomes a trend.
Sorry but “prevention and accountability up front is better” is a broad stroke statement made by people who have no idea what that actually entails, including myself. Who here is to say what measures Lutz has or hasn’t taken to try and make sure these types of mistakes (whatever they were) don’t happen?
Contrary to what some here might say, from what we can see, Lutz has been sitting guys all year long if they show low effort, take bad shots, or “go rogue”. Whether that’s yanking then immediately during the game, not starting them, etc. I’d say, for the most part, players like Roy have improved in their shot selection, effort in defense/rebounding, among other things. Those improvements just didn’t move the needle in terms of wins and losses, so nobody cares or they forget those things even happened.
But Lutz is in a lose-lose situation with some you guys.
“He isn’t tough enough on his players.”
-Lutz disciplines players-
“Lutz should have done something to prevent the need for discipline in the first place.”
These players are young adults, all on them IMO. Plu$ w/ what they are getting compared to past players, which is just a scholarship…I’d boot them.
I still don’t know what they did, but let’s say it’s boot-worthy. Ok, so it’s the right thing to do, but it’s too late. Now you have to replace two people in your roster. With the outgoing seniors, you’re losing a lot of continuity. It’s not insurmountable, but that’s not a good formula for building momentum. Damage done. Maybe it can be a culture establishing moment, but there’s still a black cloud with that silver lining.
I’m not out on the guy. I said let’s wait and see if discipline becomes a recurring problem. Maybe it was out of his control. Maybe this is just the first instance. If he’s having these issues next year or the next, though, you’re wondering if he’s a bad judge of character or he instills no discipline. It’s not good for the program either way.
I heard they didn’t come to practice. Bootable offense! 
I guess? It’s not a crime, but they are getting paid money… I dunno, I feel like that would be a “run stairs” punishment ten years ago.
Yeah, I’m being half facetious. If it was just one missed practice I wouldn’t boot 'em. It was more than one…I’d have to seriously consider if it I were HC.
That’s how I see it except for the money aspect that complicates it. Someone(s) coughed up a bunch of money for you to come here and that’a not worth it to you to show up? A kid playing for just a scholarship and a dream is like a kid cutting class. A guy making 6 or 7 figures not showing up is a slap in the face.
Exactly! Now you are a pro and supposed to act like it.