CONFIDENT CADE no. 1 recruit Cade Cunningham not fazed by NCAA penalties
Courtney Bay/OSU athletics
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‘I’m not going to get my hopes up’: Cade Cunningham content with or without postseason S ud e ep tum m a, Sports Editor, @askt umma
When OSU was hit with a postseason ban, the whole country was sent into a frenzy. Not just because the Cowboys had a top-5 program highlighted by No. 1 recruit Cade Cunningham, but because the sanctions levied were considered — by many experts — harsh and unjust. Former associate head coach Lamont Evans took bribes nearly three years ago as a lone wolf while OSU received no competitive advantage. Still, OSU coach Mike Boynton’s program had to pay the price.
The school was hit with a bevy of penalties — most notably a postseason ban — which had many speculating if this top-5 recruiting class would be quickly dismantled. For fans, analysts, reporters, almost everyone, it was hard to fathom this talented class sticking together in the face of these violations. But it did. Each and every one of those players stood by their commitment including potential 2021 NBA draft No. 1 pick Cunningham. That’s without the real possibility of playing in the NCAA tournament. For many, one year of
missing March Madness might not be the most gruesome thing, but for a player such as Cunningham, who’s destined to be a one-and-done, playing in that tournament is worth a little more. “It’s super important, but I’m not going to get my hopes up,” Cunningham said. “I still feel like there’s so much that we can accomplish as a team to impact the program for the future. I feel like that would mean a whole lot to us anyway. “Playing in a postseason, that’s always been a dream of mine, but I’m really just excited to get to work with the team and see if we can
win a Big 12 Conference Championship. Just get as much success as we can. I feel like there’s still a lot of goals that we can accomplish.” Cunningham said his bond with Boynton and the family-orientated nature of this program outweighed his desire to play in the postseason. Still, that postseason isn’t 100% out of the question yet. Athletic director Mike Holder and Boynton are confident they have a strong case in their appeal to play in the tournament, which may be true — but according to lawyers to experts — the chances are slim the NCAA budges on a case such as this one.
Image Taken at Orange Power Studios, Thursday, July 2, 2020, Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK. Courtney Bay/OSU Athletics
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Still, Cunningham’s mentality remains square. “If they do allow us to be in there, I think we will definitely be ready for it,” Cunningham said. “We’re going to prepare the whole season like we’re going to play in the Final Four. And if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. We’re not going to get our hopes up too much. We want to be the best team that we can be.” The high school superstar is ready — with or without a potential bid to the Big Dance. But that brings up another question. In an unprecedented time where a sports season is looking more and
more questionable by the day, what if there is no college basketball? What if there is no season at all? “It’s tough to say right now, there’s a lot of unknowns,” Cunningham said “We’re going to prepare like there’s going to be a season and work as hard as we can this offseason to get ready for it so that if they do say that there is a season, we’re prepared and we’re going to win games. “If not, we’re still going to train to be the best players we can be until we do get to play basketball again. That’s the biggest thing — just keep working hard and see where we can get.”
Courtney Bay/OSU athletics
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By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Today’s Birthday (07/14/20). Collaboration is the name of the game this year. Generate valuable results with disciplined coordination. Consider new educational directions. Personal
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Horoscope
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Todays Birthday (07/15/20). Partnership pays rich reward this year. Deepen your connection with consistent coordination. Adapt studies and travels to changes. Summer spotlights shine your way, illuminating new roads with a partner. Savor tranquility and privacy this winter, and recharge your health, work and heart. Collaboration and romance flowers. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Keep generating income. Unanticipated variables could complicate things. Find a short-term solution that can buy time for a more permanent solution. Experience pays. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Intellect and intuition agree. You’ve got this. Emotionally, you’re ready to make things happen. First attempts may not finish the job. Persistently follow through. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Imagine the perfect results. Finish up what you’ve begun. Build strong foundations by organizing and planning. Edit your persuasive argument carefully. Make your best case. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Your social status is on the rise. Community changes may require adaptation. Align logical plans with the emotional undercurrent. Work it out together. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — You’re gaining professional points with someone you admire. Extend your area of influence. This could be a lucky break. Accept support when offered. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Reach out for a long-distance connection. Support a community cause with a persuasive case. Stay objective as you research potential solutions. Rise together. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Carefully review family budgets and operating systems. Navigate disruption and change. Consult an expert when needed. Avoid controversy. Discover new ways to save. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Your partner gets you some maneuvering room. Study potential options together. Learn and teach simultaneously. Provide a stabilizing influence. Collaborate for shared gain. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Keep practicing. Completion leads to advancement. Focus on your physical performance. You’re gaining the necessary skills. Anticipate pitfalls. Exercise clears your mind. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Take your mind off long-term matters to focus on fun in the here and now. Enjoy the excellent company. Cook up something delicious together. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Reorganize and make domestic changes to support a new vision for family comfort and support. Pitch in and collaborate. Clean, sort and declutter spaces. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Stay in communication, despite transmission or tech challenges. Follow through with what you said. Stay on task. Fun distractions abound. Romantic gestures deserve an immediate response.
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Solution to Tuesday’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
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ACROSS 1 Esau’s twin 6 Latticework piece 10 Anew Skinvincible maker 14 Act unceremoniously? 15 Boo-boo 16 Start to suction? 17 Improvised container for roses 19 Aspiring DA’s exam 20 Sweets in an edible bouquet 22 Urgent PD call 25 Sport-__ 26 Deceives 27 Birth of a baby 31 Hanukkah pancake 32 Chance 33 Mosquito-eating critter 36 DIY website 37 Seafood boil staple 39 Wait patiently 40 Singer Orbison 41 Tallow source 42 Dealership inventory 43 Government bonds are part of it 46 Italian fashion giant 49 Fashioned after 50 “Big Eyes” singer Lana Del __ 51 Like some conventional romances, as illustrated by each set of circled letters 55 Wile E. Coyote’s supplier 56 Hardware store gadget that creates the perfect color 60 Cardamomflavored Indian tea 61 She asked Sam to play “As Time Goes By” 62 Writer Zola 63 Mild-mannered Clark
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By Ed Sessa
64 Vaping device, casually 65 Jeans material DOWN 1 Moses, for one 2 Boxing legend 3 Hornswoggle 4 Crude gp.? 5 “__ I said so!” 6 __ it over: ruled 7 Off in the distance 8 Small spat 9 Like gravity wedges 10 Full of baloney 11 Woodshop grippers 12 Reality-bending paintings 13 “You’re mistaken” 18 Feed the kitty 21 Trough grunt 22 More proficient 23 “Allegory of the cave” philosopher 24 “Breaking Bad” actress Brandt 28 Star-spangled expanse 29 Muse for poets 30 Vigor’s partner 33 Dog to beware 34 Sun-dried brick
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
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35 Out of sorts 37 Cupcake 38 Wreath of plumeria blossoms 39 Chum 41 Sensible 42 Protected from burglars 43 “Your call” 44 “Stop reminding me!” 45 Touched down
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46 Taken __ 47 Tamiflu producer 48 “Bro!” 52 Soft mineral 53 Spanish ayes 54 Mojito fruit 57 Mark, as a survey square 58 Manning who announced his retirement in 2020 59 Sleep cycle