OSU men's basketball: Solomon's role in OSU's surge can't be overstated
by John Helsley Published: February 24, 2017 5:42 PM CDT Updated: February 24, 2017 11:12 PM CDT
STILLWATER — Mitchell Solomon stood staring into the Oklahoma State student section, pushing both palms downward, urging calm amid Bedlam hysteria.
Moments later, during a timeout sandwiched between two made free throws that clinched last Saturday's win, he peered into the eyes of his huddled teammates and said matter-of-factly, “I've got this.”
Witness the evolution of Mitchell Solomon, OSU's unsung hero; a seismic shift facilitated by the same defensive change that has altered the path of this Cowboys season.
Many key figures have emerged during a 9-1 response to an 0-6 Big 12 start, from Jawun Evans and Phil Forte to Jeffrey Carroll and Leyton Hammonds and Davon Dillard. None may be more critical, however, than Solomon, whose often overlooked value was never lost on Cowboys coach Brad Underwood.
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“A big part of why I needed to change our defense was Mitch,” said Underwood, who saw his squad too often exposed when extending far out into passing lanes. “Mitch is very seldom in the wrong position. He's our best defender. He's an all-league defender.
“And yet he was the guy who was getting penalized the most, with fouls, because he was helping all the time.”
The defensive change was put into play Jan. 21 at Texas Tech, after a 96-88 home loss to Kansas State tempted a breaking point and prompted Underwood to back off a bit on his pressure defense. Since then, the Cowboys have rocketed up the Big 12 standings, from last place to fifth, winning nine of 10 games behind better defense and its offshoots, like improved rebounding and paint protection.
How things have changed, with Tech visiting Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday. Ironically, the Cowboys enter this meeting having flipped their Kansas State experience, holding the Wildcats down in an 80-68 win Wednesday night in Manhattan. After allowing an average of 85.7 points in the six early league losses, OSU has held their last 10 foes to 72.3.
During their surge, Solomon's plus-minus stands at an impressive plus-102 for the 10 contests, or more than plus-10 per game, trailing only Evans at plus-114. Solomon finished plus-19 in the Bedlam win.
So what may not be obvious in the box score in terms of points and rebounds and other tangible stats, is instead quite apparent in the most telling statistic: wins.
He contributes in recognizable ways, averaging 5.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. But his best work requires more close attention, to the way he defends; the way he blocks out, allowing others to grab rebounds; to the way he walls off defenders on screens, freeing Evans and others to thrive on the offensive end.
Mostly able to avoid the foul trouble that previously plagued him, Solomon staying on the floor and greatly impacting games.
“Every team has that player who maybe doesn't necessarily show up in the stat sheet but helps everyone around them,” Solomon said. “Blocking out helps our guards, like Jeffrey, to come in and get incredible rebound numbers. It makes me so happy for him.
“Setting screens is such a skill, helping Jawun get open and heading downhill, which is a huge asset for our team.”
Solomon, happily, is that player.
“We had to keep him on the floor,” Underwood said. “He's our only legit size. And he's a guy who did so much right and so much positive. I have tremendous respect for what he brings to our team defensively.
“He cleans up a lot of messes, and he's in there slugging his body around with other big guys. Sometimes that goes unnoticed, but not with coaches.”
Playing to the crowd and reassuring teammates, that's new, for everyone.
“I didn't see that coming,” Evans said.
It's a sign of Solomon's growing confidence, something coaches have been trying to nudge along for much of three seasons spent as the shy, quiet guy.
“As I've gotten older, I think the team needs me to be more of a leader, speaking up and physically on the floor, doing the right things,” Solomon said. “I've definitely been working on that this year.”
It's working, too.
“I'm happy for him. Great for him,” Evans said. “Mitch telling the crowd to calm down and all that. Just love being out there with him.”
The Cowboys are enjoying having him out there, rather than shackled to the bench with foul woes. Enjoying the new and improved and outgoing Solomon, too, brought to light in those closing seconds of Bedlam.
“That's confidence,” Underwood said. “I think the significance of that moment, that game, that opponent, that crowd …
“Mitch always said the thing he wanted to do was walk across this campus with his head held high. That's a pretty good way to do it right there.”
by John Helsley Published: February 24, 2017 5:42 PM CDT Updated: February 24, 2017 11:12 PM CDT
STILLWATER — Mitchell Solomon stood staring into the Oklahoma State student section, pushing both palms downward, urging calm amid Bedlam hysteria.
Moments later, during a timeout sandwiched between two made free throws that clinched last Saturday's win, he peered into the eyes of his huddled teammates and said matter-of-factly, “I've got this.”
Witness the evolution of Mitchell Solomon, OSU's unsung hero; a seismic shift facilitated by the same defensive change that has altered the path of this Cowboys season.
Many key figures have emerged during a 9-1 response to an 0-6 Big 12 start, from Jawun Evans and Phil Forte to Jeffrey Carroll and Leyton Hammonds and Davon Dillard. None may be more critical, however, than Solomon, whose often overlooked value was never lost on Cowboys coach Brad Underwood.
+“A big part of why I needed to change our defense was Mitch,” said Underwood, who saw his squad too often exposed when extending far out into passing lanes. “Mitch is very seldom in the wrong position. He's our best defender. He's an all-league defender.
“And yet he was the guy who was getting penalized the most, with fouls, because he was helping all the time.”
The defensive change was put into play Jan. 21 at Texas Tech, after a 96-88 home loss to Kansas State tempted a breaking point and prompted Underwood to back off a bit on his pressure defense. Since then, the Cowboys have rocketed up the Big 12 standings, from last place to fifth, winning nine of 10 games behind better defense and its offshoots, like improved rebounding and paint protection.
How things have changed, with Tech visiting Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday. Ironically, the Cowboys enter this meeting having flipped their Kansas State experience, holding the Wildcats down in an 80-68 win Wednesday night in Manhattan. After allowing an average of 85.7 points in the six early league losses, OSU has held their last 10 foes to 72.3.
During their surge, Solomon's plus-minus stands at an impressive plus-102 for the 10 contests, or more than plus-10 per game, trailing only Evans at plus-114. Solomon finished plus-19 in the Bedlam win.
So what may not be obvious in the box score in terms of points and rebounds and other tangible stats, is instead quite apparent in the most telling statistic: wins.
He contributes in recognizable ways, averaging 5.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. But his best work requires more close attention, to the way he defends; the way he blocks out, allowing others to grab rebounds; to the way he walls off defenders on screens, freeing Evans and others to thrive on the offensive end.
Mostly able to avoid the foul trouble that previously plagued him, Solomon staying on the floor and greatly impacting games.
“Every team has that player who maybe doesn't necessarily show up in the stat sheet but helps everyone around them,” Solomon said. “Blocking out helps our guards, like Jeffrey, to come in and get incredible rebound numbers. It makes me so happy for him.
“Setting screens is such a skill, helping Jawun get open and heading downhill, which is a huge asset for our team.”
Solomon, happily, is that player.
“We had to keep him on the floor,” Underwood said. “He's our only legit size. And he's a guy who did so much right and so much positive. I have tremendous respect for what he brings to our team defensively.
“He cleans up a lot of messes, and he's in there slugging his body around with other big guys. Sometimes that goes unnoticed, but not with coaches.”
Playing to the crowd and reassuring teammates, that's new, for everyone.
“I didn't see that coming,” Evans said.
It's a sign of Solomon's growing confidence, something coaches have been trying to nudge along for much of three seasons spent as the shy, quiet guy.
“As I've gotten older, I think the team needs me to be more of a leader, speaking up and physically on the floor, doing the right things,” Solomon said. “I've definitely been working on that this year.”
It's working, too.
“I'm happy for him. Great for him,” Evans said. “Mitch telling the crowd to calm down and all that. Just love being out there with him.”
The Cowboys are enjoying having him out there, rather than shackled to the bench with foul woes. Enjoying the new and improved and outgoing Solomon, too, brought to light in those closing seconds of Bedlam.
“That's confidence,” Underwood said. “I think the significance of that moment, that game, that opponent, that crowd …
“Mitch always said the thing he wanted to do was walk across this campus with his head held high. That's a pretty good way to do it right there.”
