Inexperienced Cowboys still soul-searching

It certainly wasn't a signature moment for Oklahoma State basketball.

Losing by 41 points in a conference game. Helplessly watching as Baylor dunked its way to a season-high 106 points. Putting out an uninspired performance in front of a national audience.

Not exactly bullet points for Travis Ford's résumé. But not something he wants his team to brush off either.

"I'm not one of these coaches that say forget about it," Ford said. "No, put the stat sheet in your locker and hang it up every day to see. Use it as a challenge and fuel. Now that's my mentality, I got it home on my mirror. I put it right where I brush my teeth."

That's just how Ford is. 

He's an undersized overachiever. A 5-foot-8 guard who went from SEC star to rapid riser in the coaching ranks. 

Ford's got a fiery competitive streak that make games like Saturday's in Waco particularly tough. 

Rest assured, he's actively preparing for Wednesday's game against Iowa State with redemption on his mind. His toughest task — making sure his young team has the same mindset.

"What motivates you should be the stat sheet, the film," Ford said. "It should be that, ‘Hey I don't care how old you are, how weak you are right now, how small you are, it don't matter.' Doesn't mean you are going to win every game, but you sure can compete."

And during what players and coaches referred to as a ‘spirited' film session, Ford let the team know about it. 

"It was, it was pretty intense," forward Michael Cobbins said. "Film doesn't lie, I can tell you that. A lot of mistakes made from everybody on the team."

Some mistakes are acceptable, especially from a team that features five freshman in its eight-man rotation.

But Ford's looking for less mental lapses, accountability and, most importantly, steady improvement from game to game.

Because, face it, there are games in this league, like an upcoming trip to Kansas, that OSU has little chance to win.

But with the amount of raw talent the Cowboys have, there also shouldn't be a game in which they aren't competitive.

"I told our guys and I want them to understand this, it's not about winning and losing at this point, it's about how you are playing," Ford said. "Because we can play well and still not maybe win the game. About 8 to 10 minutes to go in the game, we didn't have much fight in us."