Winter Storm Forces OSU Basketball to Adjust On and Off the Court
As Oklahoma braces for a major winter storm, both of Oklahoma State’s basketball programs are shifting into high gear-not just for game prep, but for storm prep, too.
With forecasts calling for 6 to 12 inches of snow in Stillwater, OSU coaches Jacie Hoyt and Steve Lutz are balancing the usual X’s and O’s with the less glamorous, but equally important, logistics of keeping their players safe and ready. It’s not just about tip-off anymore-it’s about dripping faucets, stocking up on water, and making sure no one’s stuck without food or a ride to practice.
“First of all, those guys are oblivious to any of it,” Lutz said, half-joking, but fully serious. “So, that was the first conversation-‘Guys, we gotta drip your water at night. You’ve got to maybe buy some extra water for your house or sodas.’”
It’s a reminder that coaching at the college level isn’t just about drawing up plays. It’s about looking after a group of young adults who might be experiencing their first real winter storm on their own. And for Lutz, who’s also a father, the parallels are clear.
“I have children of my own, so it’s a little bit just like that,” he said. “You gotta educate them a little bit.
They just don’t know. They don’t know what they don’t know.”
While the Cowboys are staying put in Stillwater to host a top-10 opponent at Gallagher-Iba Arena, the Cowgirls are hitting the road-and hitting it early.
Jacie Hoyt’s squad is scheduled to face Colorado in Boulder on Sunday, and with the storm bearing down, the decision was simple: beat the weather to the punch.
“We just leave,” Hoyt said. “We just avoid it.
We’re leaving early. It’s simple-just get out of dodge.”
Instead of departing Saturday as originally planned, the Cowgirls are now wheels up on Friday. It’s a day earlier than usual, but Hoyt trusts the OSU travel staff to make the right call-and she’s confident the team will be in good hands.
“Our travel people are so on top of things and take the highest precautions with stuff, so we’ll leave early,” she said. “I’m a little bummed because it’s another day away from Harlow,” she added, referencing her daughter. “But I’ve got a team to take care of, so we’re just gonna dip out early.”
It’s not exactly the kind of adversity you draw up in the scouting report, but it’s part of the job. And for both programs, it’s clear the coaches are doing everything they can to keep their players focused, prepared, and-most importantly-safe.
**Cowboys vs. Iowa State.
Cowgirls at Colorado. ** The games go on, snow or shine.