The Oklahoma State men’s basketball team will be missing a key cog in its machine when it faces Cal State Fullerton Sunday on in Stillwater, Okla.
The Cowboys (10-1) will not have veteran rotation player Robert Jennings II against the Titans (5-7) as he is out for the remainder of the season with a hip injury.
The senior forward last appeared in a game Nov. 12. He was a contributor in the Oklahoma State rotation early on, starting the first three games and averaging 3.7 points and 4.0 rebounds over 13 minutes a game.
“It’s incredibly disappointing for Rob because of how hard he’s worked to get himself back on the court,” Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz said in a statement. “He had surgery in the offseason to correct an issue with his hip, but unfortunately, it hasn’t responded the way we had hoped. After consulting with our medical staff, we’ve decided to shut him down for the season with the goal of getting him back to full strength. We’re certainly going to miss him on the floor, but Rob will continue to lead and support this team in a big way behind the scenes.”
Jennings played in all 35 games last season. He also played two seasons at Texas Tech.
The Cowboys did get freshman center Benjamin Ahmed on the court for the first time in Thursday’s 91-79 win over Kansas City. Ahmed, who had been recovering from offseason foot surgery, posted six points and seven rebounds in seven minutes.
Oklahoma State’s offense is led by Anthony Roy (15.5 points per game) and Vyctorius Miller (15.3 points per game).
The Titans are coming off two impressive wins. After beating Bethesda of the National Christian College Athletic Association 116-66 on Dec. 10, Cal State Fullerton took down Denver 105-86 on Dec. 13.
Coach Dedrique Taylor is happy with the way his Titans are moving the ball, racking up 30 assists against Bethesda and 21 against Denver.
“Thier ability to share the ball has been great,” he said. “When you rebound the ball and you pitch it ahead, it creates the pace that we like and guys can score.”
The Titans, who rank third nationally in tempo per KenPom.com, are led in scoring and rebounds by senior guard Joshua Ward with 15.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Freshman guard Bryce Cofield is off to a great start with 14.1 points per game.
–Field Level Media
