Tuesday, January 1, 2022
OSU cancels classes Wednesday, Thursday Chris Becker Editor in Chief Oklahoma State is bracing for winter weather. With an impending winter storm system heading toward Oklahoma, the university has announced campus will be closed for Wednesday and Thursday. Payne County is under a winter storm warning with a projected 17 degrees and a high of nearly 40. Snow chances currently eclipse 90% with heavy wind and ice expected as well. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. news.ed@ocolly.com
Alicia Young
Boynton frustrated with team’s selfishness Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter Coach Mike Boynton is losing sleep out of frustration. Three months removed from the NCAA’s decision to uphold OSU’s postseason ban, the Cowboys are sitting with a 10-10 record, with 10 games remaining. After a 81-72 loss to Florida on Saturday, a loss where OSU led by 16 points, Boynton saw his team in a familiar way. “Saturday’s game was a microcosm of what this team has been,” Boynton said. “That being two different teams. We had nine assists in the first half and one in the second half. The team in the first half could beat any team in the country, and the team in the second half can be beaten by anybody in the country.” After returning from Gainesville, Florida, Boynton admitted he did not sleep Saturday night, opting to review the state of his team. According to Boynton, the team’s one assist in the second half is indicative of selfish play, a selfishness he associates with the ruling three months ago. “The story of this team has been their response to what happened to them,’’ Boynton said. “But this is life, and bad sh*t happens, you do not get to pout about it forever, then turn a team game into a game about me. This team has not accepted that they need each other.” Using different analogies, Boynton described the concerns in OSU’s locker room like a pizza, with his players wanting the slice with the most toppings instead of taking what they receive. Boynton said when OSU players are selfish, they lose games, and when they are not, his team has the potential to win big. Despite the tournament ban placed on the program, Boynton said he pushed his team to win regardless, and included a strong message for his players for if they are not willing to win. “Whether we are going to the tournament or not, you play to win,” Boynton said. “If winning is not priority No. 1, this is not a place where you are going to have success. That message has to be driven down, or at some point we will have a discussion whether this is the place for you.” Going further, Boynton stressed the importance of commitment. He said the goal is to win, and said if his players are not devoted to winning, then OSU may not be the basketball team for them. The fifth-year head coach was not done, emphasizing he holds the power of rotation control. “You get to go to (Kansas State) if you help us win,” Boynton said. “That does not mean you are going to play. But if getting your points and improving your draft stock is a part of your thought process, then you don’t get to travel with us.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Abby Cage