Oklahoma State

BaseballRockies: Signed 2B Eric Young to one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.Pro basketballGrizzlies: Activated G Greg Anthony from IR.FootballSteelers: Named Jim Haslett defensive coordinator.CollegeOklahoma State: Announced F Jason Skaer has left basketball team.Nevada-Las Vegas: Named Appalachian State defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill to same position.Pittsburgh: Named Tom Freeman offensive line coach.Pub Date: 1/20/97

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The picture has become all too disturbing for Oklahoma State's opponents lately.To get past the Cowboys, you must contend with Bryant "Big Country" Reeves, the 7-foot, 292-pound senior center who casts the widest shadow in college basketball, and senior guard Randy Rutherford, whose quick release and accuracy have helped him quietly pile up some of the nation's best career shooting numbers.Then add a bunch of fine role players, and you've got a full-scale battle on your hands.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eddie Sutton was furious. First, the Oklahoma State coach pulled his leading scorer, Tony Allen. Then, after giving Allen an earful and getting him back in the game, Sutton did the same to point guard John Lucas. The message got through, and so did the No. 2-seeded Cowboys. With a 63-51 victory over third-seeded Pittsburgh in their NCAA tournament Sweet 16 game at the Continental Airlines Arena, Oklahoma State advanced to tomorrow's East Rutherford regional final against No. 1 seed Saint Joseph's.

COLLEGE PARK -- After Oklahoma State and North Carolina State won their opening-round games in the East Regional of the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament at Cole Field House, a noted observer offered an intriguing hypothesis."

Today's championship game No. 3 Oklahoma State (27-6) vs. No. 5 Florida (27-7) Site: Syracuse, N.Y. Time: 5 p.m. Line: Florida by 2 Conference records: Oklahoma State was tied for third in the Big 12 at 12-4. Lost to Iowa State in conference tournament. Florida was 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference and shared the regular-season title. Lost to Auburn in SEC tournament. Coaches: Eddie Sutton is 229-94 in 10 seasons at Oklahoma State, 659-258 overall. Billy Donovan is 78-48 in four seasons at Florida and 111-68 overall.

COLLEGE PARK -- The University of New Mexico shot nearly 39 percent from the field. Oklahoma State shot about 33. There were a combined 35 turnovers and 38 fouls.Maybe it was the early-afternoon starting time, but it didn't seem like a National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament game.Oklahoma State, using the strong inside play of forward Byron Houston (21 points) and a solid defensive effort, defeated New Mexico, 67-54, in the first round of the East Regional at Cole Field House yesterday.

Crownsville resident Ryan Davis said that surgery to repair a knee injury suffered two weeks ago while wrestling a larger opponent will not affect his scholarship to defending NCAA champion Oklahoma State University. Davis, a three-time National Preps champ who earned Sun Wrestler of the Year honors as a McDonogh sophomore in 2000-01, said he "was messing around with a bigger guy and got chop-blocked to the knee." Jeff Buxton, Davis' wrestling coach at Blair Academy in New Jersey, confirmed his status with Oklahoma State.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Eddie Sutton was furious. First, the Oklahoma State coach pulled his leading scorer, Tony Allen. Then, after giving Allen an earful and sending him back into the game, Sutton did the same to point guard John Lucas. The message got through, and so did the No. 2-seeded Cowboys. With a 63-51 victory over No. 3 seed Pittsburgh in their NCAA tournament Sweet 16 game at the Continental Airlines Arena, Oklahoma State advanced to tomorrow's East Rutherford regional final against the winner of last night's second game between top-seeded Saint Joseph's and No. 4 seed Wake Forest.

No. 24 Oklahoma State (8-3) vs. No. 17 Purdue (8-3)Time: 8 p.m., todayTV: ESPNLine: Purdue by 4Coaches: Bob Simmons (17-17); Joe Tiller (8-3)Outlook: The young Cowboys were one of the more surprising teams in the country under Big 12 Coach of the Year Simmons. State will have to do without first-team All-America TE Alonzo Mayes, the team's leading receiver (29 receptions, 429 yards) and red-zone threat (seven TDs). He had shoulder surgery in November. In his first season with the Boilermakers, Tiller's success has been just as surprising.