Oklahoma State Basketball

The Oklahoma State Cowboys announced Friday that senior guard Jeffrey Carroll will be withheld from playing pending a review of the program, according to CBS Sports' Reid Forgrave. 

Oklahoma State was among the schools named in the FBI's years-long investigation into bribery and corruption in college basketball. 

Former Cowboys assistant coach Lamont Evans, who has since been fired, was recently among those indicted by a federal grand jury on "fraud and other charges that carry potential penalties upon conviction of decades in prison," according to ESPN.com news services (via ABC News). 

The news of Carroll's impending absence is a major blow to the Cowboys, who were likely to look to the senior as a stabilizing force after losing Jawun Evans—last year's leading scorer—to the NBA. 

After averaging a modest six points per game during his first two seasons in Stillwater, Carroll erupted as a junior and poured in 17.5 points per game on 53.7 percent shooting from the field, including 44.4 percent shooting from three. 

With Carroll, Evans and Phil Forte all out of the picture, the highest scorer remaining from last year's team is junior Dayton Dillard (5.7 points per game). 

Look for 4-star recruit Zack Dawson to be called upon early and often to try to help stabilize head coach Mike Boynton's office as the Cowboys get set to open their season Friday against Pepperdine. 

Oklahoma State has fired assistant basketball coach Lamont Evans after he was implicated in the FBI investigation into bribery and corruption in college basketball.  

The school announced Evans' firing Thursday, per Harold R. Kuntz of KOTV Tulsa. 

Federal prosecutors in New York announced Tuesday 10 different people—including four college assistant basketball coaches—have been charged in an investigation into corruption stemming from an FBI probe that began in 2015, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach. 

Evans was one of the assistant coaches named after being accused of soliciting $22,000 from financial advisors Munish Sood and Louis Martin Blazer III "to steer two of his players toward them," according to Schlabach. 

Oklahoma State suspended Evans after the charges were announced, with ESPN's Jeff Goodman noting the school fired him "for cause" Thursday. 

Evans was hired as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Oklahoma State prior to the 2016-17 season. He spent the previous four years as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. 

 

Nearly a month before the FBI's NCAA college basketball investigation went public, one Reddit user posed a question about Oklahoma State's recruiting practices.  

The Redditor (bennettbrodgon2028) referenced David McCormack, who's committed to the Kansas Jayhawks, and Elijah Weaver, who remains undecided on where he'll enroll but considers Oklahoma State as an option: 

https://twitter.com/___ewr/status/902930551123869696

The query began by questioning what the Cowboys offer these top prospects to lure them to Stillwater, Oklahoma:

Now, I could be wrong, but it sure feels like the past couple years there have been a lot of great recruits seriously considering the Cowboys (although it doesn't seem they've been getting picked by these top guys). Anyways, I don't know what I'm missing, but I just don't see what's getting them on these lists. They really don't check off any of the boxes that would give them an edge on other P5 or elite programs.

Unless someone speaks to McCormack or Weaver directly, it's impossible to guess their draw to Oklahoma State, but the school has been in hot water for a previous transgression involving the football team.

The FBI's current investigation involves Oklahoma State assistant basketball coach Lamont Evans, who's been suspended with pay, per ESPN.com reporter John Gasaway.

Though bennettbrogdon2028 posed a simple question about a month ago, the implications surrounding Oklahoma State in the scandal raise serious eyebrows about high-profile recruits strongly considering the program.

Oklahoma State has promoted assistant coach Mike Boynton as its new head basketball coach.

The team announced the news on its Twitter account Friday:

We're excited to announce Mike Boynton as our new basketball coach. Boynton is one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the business #okstate pic.twitter.com/ID4Hm4iJsd

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 24, 2017

Boynton replaces Brad Underwood, who left to fill the head coaching vacancy at Illinois after one season with the Cowboys.

The former South Carolina basketball player was in his first season with Oklahoma State. He followed Underwood from Stephen F. Austin, where he spent the previous three seasons.

He also worked as an assistant at Coastal Carolina, Wofford and South Carolina.

Guerin Emig of Tulsa World added some insight on Boynton's personality:

Text from another DI coach says Mike Boynton "exudes right amount of confidence without cockiness." #okstate

— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) March 24, 2017

Oklahoma State had also interviewed TV analyst Doug Gottlieb, per Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com, but clearly didn't feel he was the right fit for the job.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys can cross one name off their list of potential head coaches, as Doug Gottlieb will not be leading their men's basketball program. 

Per Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com, Gottlieb announced on Friday he wouldn't be joining the Cowboys. 

ESPN's Jeff Goodman reported Thursday Gottlieb was scheduled to interview with Oklahoma State on Friday.

Per John Helsley of The Oklahoman, Gottlieb was one of five people who were being brought in for an interview with Oklahoma State. Other candidates include James Dickey, Danny Henderson, Mike Boynton and Lamont Evans. 

Gottlieb, whom Colin Cowherd reported will be joining Fox Sports 1 next month after working at CBS Sports since 2012, has no previous head coaching experience. He did play college basketball at Oklahoma State from 1997-2000 and serves on the university's board of governors.

During an appearance on Tuesday's Outkick the Coverage with Clay Travis, Gottlieb did try to lay out his vision for what Oklahoma State's basketball program should be. 

"Oklahoma State desperately needs someone who doesn't just say but will show great loyalty," Gottlieb said, via Wil Leitner of Fox Sports. "I'm a son of a coach, a brother of a coach, I see the game like a player who's a coach, and I have an incredible amount of passion for my school, and my school was just jolted by a dude who was a false prophet."

Oklahoma State is in the market for a new head coach after Brad Underwood left the program after one season for the same position at the University of Illinois. The Cowboys went 20-13 in Underwood's lone season with the program, losing to Michigan in their first game of the 2017 NCAA tournament. 

College basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb reportedly was scheduled to interview for the head coaching job at Oklahoma State, Jeff Goodman of ESPN reported Thursday. 

However, Gottlieb said Friday that he will not take over as the Cowboys' head coach, per Gary Parrish of CBS Sports.

Gottlieb had worked for CBS Sports, but Colin Cowherd reported Wednesday he will join him at Fox Sports 1 on April 24.

Oklahoma State has a job opening following head coach Brad Underwood's departure for Illinois after just one season with the program.

The 41-year-old Gottlieb was a player at Oklahoma State from 1997-2000.

The alumnus provided his qualifications for the job Tuesday on Outkick the Coverage with Clay Travis.

"Oklahoma State desperately needs someone who doesn't just say, but will show great loyalty," Gottlieb said, via Wil Leitner of Fox Sports. "I'm a son of a coach, a brother of a coach, I see the game like a player who's a coach, and I have an incredible amount of passion for my school, and my school was just jolted by a dude who was a false prophet."

Per Brent Axe of Syracuse.com, Gottlieb also campaigned for the head coaching job last season before the team hired Underwood.

For more news and analysis on Oklahoma State basketball, go to GoPokes.com. 

An upset-filled Saturday in the Big 12 continued with Oklahoma State shocking No. 7 West Virginia with an 82-75 victory.

ESPN Stats and Info noted the craziness in the competitive conference:

No. 2 Baylor, No. 3 Kansas and now No. 7 West Virginia. First time 3 Top-10 Big 12 teams have lost on the same day

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 5, 2017

Perhaps most surprising was that all three teams lost at home.

Oklahoma State virtually couldn't miss on the road, shooting 62.5 percent from the field, 61.5 percent from three-point range and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line. While the tough West Virginia defense still forced 19 turnovers, it wasn't enough to slow down the red-hot Cowboys.

They have now won four straight conference games after beginning 0-6 in the Big 12. West Virginia now sits at 6-4 in conference, still two games behind Kansas for first place.

Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com noted what this game means for the Cowboys:

Oklahoma State goes to Morgantown and beats West Virginia. Cowboys have now won five straight games. Trending towards an NCAA bid.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 5, 2017

Jeffrey Carroll was the star of the day for OSU, continuing his hot shooting while leading the team with 20 points. Juwan Evans added 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals while shooting 6-of-7 from the field.

Lamont West was the top scorer for West Virginia with 21 points off the bench, but no starter reached double figures in the loss. Getting outrebounded 30-16 also likely ruined any chance of WVU coming away with the victory.

Oklahoma State was not intimidated from the start, as it jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first four minutes. While the Mountaineers were quickly able to even things up, it sent a message that the home court would not be much of a factor.

The rest of the first half was an offensive showcase with both sides knocking down everything, leading to a 44-40 advantage for West Virginia at halftime.

Keenan Cummings of Rivals.com noted the lack of defense:

#WVU is shooting 62-percent from the floor in the first half. Oklahoma State is hitting 64-percent.

— Keenan Cummings (@rivalskeenan) February 4, 2017

The Cowboys kept hitting their shots in the second half, but West Virginia wasn't quite as fortunate, keeping the visitors ahead.

This huge dunk by Davon Dillard then put all the momentum on the side of Oklahoma State, via Cowboys Basketball:

DAVON DILLARD. WE ARE SPEECHLESS. 😱💀 #okstate #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/mJYQIsC8j4

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 4, 2017

Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports described the play:

I believe Mr. Dillard from Oklahoma State just destroyed all of Morgantown with that dunk. Vicious.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 4, 2017

A Tarik Phillips three-pointer for West Virginia tied the game up at 69-69 with just over four minutes remaining, but Evans put the underdogs up for good with an ensuing layup.

Lindy Waters helped create some separation with a three-pointer while Phil Forte took care of the rest from the line as the Cowboys secured the surprising seven-point win.

The next game is another tough one for Oklahoma State, which will host No. 2 Baylor on Wednesday. If the team shoots as well as it did in this one, however, there isn't anyone in the country the Cowboys can't beat.

West Virginia will try to bounce back with a road game against Oklahoma on Wednesday. 

             

Postgame Reaction

One of the biggest things West Virginia coach Bob Huggins noticed after the game was the almost two-to-one disadvantage on the boards.

"I don't think we have ever been outrebounded like that," said Huggins, per Brian McCracken of Scout.com. "In 35 years, I can't remember getting beat that bad on the glass. Maybe, but I don't remember getting beat that bad on the glass."

On the other hand, Oklahoma State coach Brad Underwood appreciated his team's improvement from the 92-75 loss against the Mountaineers earlier in the season.

"I was really proud of our guys today," Underwood said, per Scout.com. "There was some fight. It was execution of the game plan, and we did an unbelievable job. We gave up 50 points in the paint in the first game and most of those were layups, and even though they hit threes it was out of their character. So I thought we really grew up there. Our fight was much better."

The mentality helped the Cowboys earn their biggest win of the season.

After guiding the No. 14-seeded Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks to the round of 32 in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, head coach Brad Underwood is moving on to fill the same role for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports reported the news Monday, and ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman confirmed Underwood is making the move to Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Stephen F. Austin was close to advancing to the Sweet 16 but lost to the No. 6-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish 76-75 on Sunday. Underwood did lift the Lumberjacks to a 70-56 upset over the No. 3-seeded West Virginia Mountaineers to begin the Big Dance.

In all three of his years at the helm, Underwood guided Stephen F. Austin to the Southland Conference title in both the regular season and conference tournament, securing an NCAA tournament berth each year. He posted an overall record of 89-14, per Sports-Reference.com.

Before Underwood took the job in Nacogdoches, Texas, he had a notably long stint at his alma mater, Kansas State, as an assistant coach for the Wildcats from 2006 to 2012. He then followed Kansas State coach Frank Martin to South Carolina and served as an assistant before progressing to his first head coaching gig.

The Big 12 is arguably the best conference in the country. It sent seven teams to the NCAA tournament this year, including the Mountaineers and Sweet 16 squads Kansas and Oklahoma. At least Underwood has familiarity with the conference as a player and coach from his time at Kansas State.

The Cowboys fired former head coach Travis Ford on Friday after nine seasons. He went 12-20 during the 2015-16 campaign and just 3-15 in conference play.

The standard of excellence Underwood established at Stephen F. Austin is unrealistic for the Cowboys faithful to expect for at least a couple of years. But if he can lure enough talent to Oklahoma State, he has proved he can accomplish something special on the March Madness stage.

Jerry Meyer of 247Sports is among those who believes Underwood won't have much trouble bringing in top prospects:

Brad Underwood recruited players at SFA good enough to go toe to toe w WVU and Notre Dame, so I'm betting he will be able to recruit at OSU.

— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) March 22, 2016

Getting players to buy in at an upstart mid-major program wasn't hard for Underwood. His challenge will be keeping morale up as the Cowboys endure growing pains while trying to claw their way back into the conference title picture.

With a recent program history that boasts the likes of NBA players Marcus Smart and Markel Brown, there's at least some foundation at Oklahoma State for Underwood to build a winning culture on.

Oklahoma State's backcourt will get a big boost in 2017, as 4-star prospect Lindy Waters announced Friday on Twitter that he will be joining the Cowboys. 

Here is his announcement:

Blessed beyond imagination🍊🔫 pic.twitter.com/MHQIsdtKf3

— Lindy Waters III (@LindyWatersIII) November 6, 2015

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Waters is the top prospect in the Class of 2016 out of Oklahoma. He is also the 15th-ranked shooting guard in the nation.

After graduating high school this year, he will take a postgrad year and enroll in the school in 2017, according to the Recruit Scoop's Alex Kline. 

NBC Sports recruiting analyst Scott Phillips spoke with Raphielle Johnson of College Basketball Talk about what the Cowboys are getting in Waters:

One of the breakout players of the July evaluation period, Waters is a high-level shooter with good size for his position. Oklahoma State is getting a capable wing shooter who can comfortably space the floor from anywhere within NBA range.

At 6'5", Waters also has shown the capabilities of driving to the hoop and possessing a strong aerial game, whether it's finishing down low on the offensive end or providing secondary help on defense:

As the first hard commit of 2017 for the Cowboys, he will join 2016 recruits Cameron McGriff (small forward) and Thomas Dziagwa (point guard), according to 247Sports. Oklahoma State continues to build a young core of players that will be a serious threat in the Big 12 by the time Waters arrives. 

Of the team's current 14-man roster, half of it is made up of freshmen and sophomores, who will surely gain plenty of experience to help Walters expand his game by the time he is ready to suit up for the Cowboys.