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Oklahoma State Basketball: Cowboys need Jawun Evans at the top of his game

By Andrew Miller

Jan 30, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) drives to the basket between Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Shepherd (13) and Oklahoma Sooners center Jamuni McNeace (4) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) drives to the basket between Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Shepherd (13) and Oklahoma Sooners center Jamuni McNeace (4) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma State basketball team will need sophomore point guard Jawun Evans at the top of his game if they want any chance to compete in the Big 12.

Last night’s Bedlam matchup with Oklahoma State basketball and the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the most exciting games to watch this season, not only in the Big 12 but of any college basketball game. A large reason for the Cowboys’ victory was the performance of star sophomore point guard Jawun Evans. After a 42 point performance in his second game against the Sooners during his freshman campaign, fans expected Evans to have another huge game.

Evans followed up on his 42 point performance by posting a game-high 26 points, while also feeding senior shooting guard Phil Forte the game-winning assist. Yet, the supporting cast around Evans largely struggled last night. Junior forward Jeffrey Carroll only made one field goal and it took Forte until less than 10 seconds left in the second half to get into double figures scoring.

Other players stepped up in clutch time last night like freshman point guard Brandon Averette, freshman guard Lindy Waters III, and senior forward Mitchell Solomon. However, it’s hard to picture head coach Brad Underwood getting consistent performances out of those three each game.

The one consistent factor present for the Cowboys to win games this season has been the solid play of Evans. He is both second in the Big 12 in scoring and assists.

He’ll need another solid performance if the Cowboys want to emerge victorious against the West Virginia Mountaineers on Feb. 4 in Morgantown. The first meeting with the Mountaineers resulted in a 92-75 loss at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

It will be interesting to see how Evans plays down the stretch this season. That will likely determine his choice of declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft or staying another season at OK State.

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As a Cowboy fan, it’s always a reassuring presence having Evans on the floor, whether it’s just setting up the offense or running in transition. If he does declare for the NBA Draft after the 2016-17 college basketball season, having Evans is a luxury that will be missed.

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