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Oklahoma State continues to improve with win over Kansas State

oklahoma state marcus smart

In mid-February, Oklahoma State looked like they were in deep trouble, as the Cowboys had lost seven consecutive games and were reeling after Marcus Smart’s suspension.

But since Smart’s return, Oklahoma State -- and Smart himself -- have looked like its a completely new season and the recent inspired play of the Cowboys continued on Monday night as Oklahoma State took down Kansas State for a 77-61, Big 12 win on Senior Night. Oklahoma State has now won four consecutive games to move to 20-10 on the season and 8-9 in Big 12 play.

The Cowboys did a tremendous job of sharing the ball on offense, moving the ball with consistency and taking good shots on Monday as they clearly outplayed Kansas State in the second half. Phil Forte led the Pokes in scoring at 23 points -- including 6-for-11 from the three-point line -- but Marcus Smart was a huge reason for Oklahoma State’s Monday-night success.

The sophomore guard had 18 points (on 5-for-8 shooting from the field), five assists, six rebounds and three steals on Monday while also helping hold Kansas State freshman Marcus Foster to 4-for-16 shooting.

Smart’s play on both ends of the floor was fantastic and it always appeared like he was in total control of his play. There were no reckless drives to the basket hoping to draw contact and there weren’t many forced looks. When Smart had a smaller defender guarding him, he tried to attack him off-the-dribble or go to the mid-post. This was the patient, high-basketball-IQ Marcus Smart we saw at the beginning of the season and not the Marcus Smart that was forcing things during the losing streak.

While Smart played well, Markel Brown also had a really good outing against Kansas State. During Smart’s suspension, Brown became one of Oklahoma State’s primary handlers and facilitators after the dismissal of Stevie Clark and with Smart and Brown both taking intelligent shots and finding open shooters like Forte or getting the ball inside to LeBryan Nash, suddenly this Oklahoma State team is really dangerous once again on the offensive end.

On the defensive side of things, with Smart locking down Foster, the rest of the Cowboys stayed aggressive as they limited the Wildcats to 34 percent shooting and 20 percent three-point shooting.

When Oklahoma State shoots 47 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range and makes 28-of-34 free throws -- as they did Monday -- there aren’t many teams in the country that can beat them.

If Marcus Smart continues to play like this and doesn’t try to force things, it rubs off on his teammates as this team’s leader and best player. Is Oklahoma State back to being a major threat in March? That still remains to be seen, and questions will still linger about the Cowboys’ depth, but Travis Ford has to be thrilled with the way his team is playing lately and Oklahoma State is playing great ball heading into Saturday’s Big 12 finale at Iowa State.

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