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THE OCOLLY PRESENTS:

FLOOR SPACE INVADERS OSU BASKETBALL TRANSFER FERRON FLAVORS OFFERS HIS NEW TEAM A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND OPENS UP THE OFFENSE WITH HIS shot

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IMAGES COURTESY OF FLICKR and cal Baptist

Michigan State coach tom izzo recently appeared on the o’Colly’s in the Novo podcast to discuss osu basketball and Eddie Sutton:

“I was happy to see that [Cade Cunningham] stayed with his commitment. I think that speaks volumes about the university, the basketball program and the fanbase.” -Tom izzo

VISIT OCOLLY.COM FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020

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S p o rts

O S U Bas k e t ba l l

Column: Ferron Flavors Jr. is the missing piece to the puzzle S u dee p Tum m a , Sports Editor, @ask t u m ma

Cade Cunningham, Rondel Walker, a top-5 recruiting class — it has a nice ring to it. OSU coach Mike Boynton has put together perhaps the school’s greatest recruiting class ever. With the immense talent pool led by the potential 2021 No. 1 pick Cunningham and an already promising roster, expectations are sky-high for the Cowboys this year. But with all that talent, all the hype, they were missing something. A little flavor. Ferron Flavors Jr., the graduate transfer from California Baptist, is another addition to Boynton’s tantalizing recruiting class. Basketball is about fit, especially in the modern era. It’s not just about throwing together a bunch of talent and seeing what happens, all the pieces need to fit together. Don’t get me wrong, talent is key, talent is vital, but we’ve seen teams with prodigious talent go down the drain because players can’t shoot, they aren’t willing to sacrifice and/or other logistical reasons. A backcourt of Cunningham and Isaac Likekele is immediately — from a pure talent standpoint — one of the best in the nation. But for all the amazTUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020

Ferron Flavors looks to help right away at his new school.

ing things they can do, it remains to be seen just how well they can space the floor next season. One of OSU’s biggest problems last season was the lack of 3-point balls. If the floor starts to shrink, defenses can start to pack the paint, which makes it tough for even the gaudiest of players to score. The first thing Flavors provides is a presence beyond the arc, which is going to be crucial as the Cowboys look to replace the shooting of Thomas Dziagwa and Lindy Waters. Flavors is one of those players who almost appears to shoot better when he’s contested. He runs off screens well and is an excellent catch-and-shoot player, but his game goes

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beyond that. Simply put, he’s a professional shot maker. He can operate as a spot-up shooter, no question, but he can work off dribbledrives and get to the rim. And when he doesn’t get to the rim, Flavors can pull up off the bounce and hit off-balance shots. He just makes tough shots. And that sort of skillset will be a hand in glove fit with the playmaking abilities of Cunningham and Likekele. Point guards who can slash that need floor spacing operate on drives, as to not have the defense collapse every play. When the defense does try to cheat, Cunningham and Likekele have the vision to find Flavors open at the 3-point line.

And even if it’s not open shots, even if the defense comes just a few feet off Flavors, when he receives the ball, that’s all the leverage he needs to pump fake and drive to the rim. Those dribble-drive that Flavors can thrive off of opportunities come from point guards who are able to penetrate and get the defense to move off — even if it’s just an inch. OSU’s roster is talented, no question, but they’re also young. We’ve seen it time and time again when it comes to March — experience outweighs talent. In the past decade, how many star-powered Duke and Kentucky teams have we seen fall in the tourna-

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ment because of youth? Flavors provides the leadership this team desires. Unless the Cowboys have another graduate transfer, he will be the only senior on this roster. I had the chance to talk to Flavors’ high school coach, Yattah Reed, and he said Flavors has leadership experience going back to high school. He said Flavors will be able to guide and mentor young players because Flavors has been in that situation before. And having that experience isn’t just some overblown narrative. When it comes down to key moments and big games, upperclassmen know what plays to make, how to stay poised and how to be big in big moments. That radiates through-

out a team — leadership pays dividends. When I spoke to Flavors, his confidence immediately jumped out at me. He believes he’s the best shooter in the nation, and that he’s going to the NBA after this season. That confidence is backed up by skill and an insane work ethic. He’s someone who’s been overlooked his entire career, but still, he believes in himself and works to reach his goals. That confidence, which shouldn’t be mistaken for cockiness, will propel him far. People often forget how important that trait is in sports. If you lose your confidence, all that skill, all that talent, gets wiped away in the snap of a finger. With such a young roster, confidence can get lost at times. To have someone with that mindset to lead while staying composed will have a contagious effect on the rest of the team. It’s an intangible that won’t show up in the box score. Flavors has worked to get to where he is today. OSU is going to be his fourth different college, but this situation is going to be unique. Flavors has never played with an elite playmaker — now he gets two. He’s a talented guy, but his impact goes way beyond that. That impact will show up in the win column.

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Horoscope

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Today’s Birthday (06/30/20). Together you‚Äôre unbeatable this year. Coordinate steady dedication for shared financial growth. Summer brings a personal breakthrough that inspires a shift with a partnership. Getting into a quiet phase this winter energizes your health and fitness practices. Collaboration deepens your connection to new levels. To get the advantage, check the day‚Äôs rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Expect the unexpected with shared financial ventures. Keep an open mind. Another can get through where you can‚Äôt. A long shot can pay off. Taurus (April 20-May 20) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî Temporary confusion distracts. Discover surprising benefits to unexpected interruptions with your partner. Intuition dictates timing. Words and action align. Allow emotions to catch up. Gemini (May 21-June 20) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Your work is in demand. Slow for obstacles. The possibility of technical error is high. Schedule carefully to guard time for exercise and well-being. Cancer (June 21-July 22) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî A romantic opportunity is worth discussing and pursuing. Obstacles could block your way. Find creative solutions in conversation. Enjoy spontaneous fun with someone attractive. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) ‚Äî Today is a 7 ‚Äî Creativity earns a leadership role. Make a domestic upgrade. Push ahead despite challenges. Get durable quality materials. When in doubt, choose the real thing. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Avoid automatic responses, especially the kind you regret later. Present your argument tactfully. Don‚Äôt be hasty. Follow a wise relation‚Äôs advice and express your appreciation. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî Invest in your business. Make sure you have the right equipment for the job. A disruption causes complications. Intuition rings like a bell. Adapt. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ‚Äî Today is a 9 ‚Äî You can get what you need. Don‚Äôt take disruption, chaos or interruption personally. Inventiveness, creativity and inspiration come easily. Expect the unexpected. Look sharp. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) ‚Äî Today is a 6 ‚Äî You‚Äôre drawn to private, peaceful settings. Discover an epiphany when least expected. A brilliant insight shatters an illusion. Postpone expansion. Meditate on the road ahead. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) ‚Äî Today is a 9 ‚Äî Brainstorm with your team for creative solutions. Ask questions. Listen to feedback and intuition. Heed an excellent idea from a friend. Share your knowledge and inspiration. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî The financial situation could seem unstable. First assess what‚Äôs needed. Something you‚Äôve been holding rises in value. Imagination solves a professional challenge. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) ‚Äî Today is an 8 ‚Äî News from afar gets your imagination going. Explore new concepts and techniques. Unusual ideas provide solutions. Share your wit and wisdom with a wider circle.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2020

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6/30/20

Solution to Monday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

ACROSS 1 Grating sound 5 Self-restrained 10 Partner of ebb 14 Twice tetra15 Black-and-white bamboo lover 16 Saxophonist Coltrane named for sitarist Shankar 17 Open-air alehouse 19 Emergency op for choppers 20 Make euphoric 21 Taunting banter between players 23 Green eggs lover 25 Request from 26 Swing and Jazz 28 Slap shot disks 32 Reheats in a microwave 35 Topper for a conspiracy theorist 39 “Mr. Blue Sky” rock gp. 40 Flimsy 41 Before, quaintly 42 Faux bronzing technique 44 Test 45 Add, as a column of numbers 46 TV screen types 48 King’s domain 52 Cal. home of the Latino Walk of Fame 56 Traditional St. Patrick’s Day slice 60 Showed again 61 Graven image 62 Kitchen gadgets, and what the starts 17-, 21-, 35-, 42- and 56-Across are 64 Screwdriver, e.g. 65 Compound with a fruity aroma 66 Give in 67 Award for “Fleabag” 68 Sweetie pie 69 Series-ending abbr. DOWN 1 Sauna options 2 High-speed Northeast train 3 Cook, as clams

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By Steve Mossberg

4 Political groups 5 Baden-Baden, e.g. 6 Fruit dessert with shortcrust 7 “Rise Up” vocalist Day 8 Brainstorming output 9 Local language, in Denmark 10 Uneasy 11 Eruption content 12 Track shape 13 Fibrous candle feature 18 Drive or reverse 22 Kachina carvers 24 San __: San Francisco Bay city 27 __ Féin 29 Square cereal 30 Noted Silicon Valley journalist Swisher 31 Modern education acronym 32 Citrus peel 33 Nestlé pet food brand 34 Fortified wine from the Douro Valley

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

36 It may be cracked or roasted 37 Stable youngster 38 Pound part 40 Easygoing, personality-wise 43 By ear 44 Heart, soul, or heart and soul 47 Truth alternative, in a game 49 Curving 50 Tenant’s contract

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51 Nandi of the Georgia Aquarium, e.g. 53 Grab the check 54 Cocoon dweller 55 Adams in galleries 56 Googling target 57 Leslie __ Jr., portrayer of Burr in “Hamilton” 58 Unhappy fate 59 Not just a thinker 63 Get nosy