Three Good Signs For The Pokes

Originally Published: Jan 24, 2010 5:5 PM CDT

Other than getting a huge conference road win which will improve RPI and NCAA tournament chances, there were three  good things coming out of OSU’s win at Kansas State:  1. Nick Sidorakis is back in the mix and is healthy and ready to contribute.  2. Keiton Page is playing with a swagger.  3.  Ray Penn got some rest.

Sidorakis had played a total of 32 minutes all season long, but logged 26 at Kansas State.  He battled a preseason knee injury that kept him out until Thanksgiving and then struggled to find playing time and consistency.   Sidorakis is smart and steady and has now proven that he can play significant minutes in critical Big 12 games.

Page is still struggling with his shot, but the last two games has gotten back to playing with that chip on his shoulder that allowed him to go from pint-sized Pawnee star to legitimate Big 12 performer.  He has played with aggression; diving for loose balls handling the ball with a purpose.  Page is a much better player when he goes out there with the attitude that he still has something to prove to skeptics.

Ray Penn needed some rest.  The freshman point guard has been, perhaps, the Cowboys’ most unheralded player.  He has been solid on offense, but perhaps even better on defense.  He has taken on the task of guarding some very good opposing point guards:  North Texas’ Josh White, Texas Tech’s John Roberson, UTSA’s Devin Gibson, OU’s Tommy Mason-Griffin and Baylor’s Tweety Carter just to name a few.  And, more often than not, Penn has gotten the better of those matchups.  But Penn had been playing 37 minutes per game since conference play started.  Marshall Moses had to carry him out of the post-game press conference after Bedlam and a leg injury this week needed time to heal. 

Penn will be back and will be joined by a couple of teammates who likely have some new-found confidence.