Steve Lutz Talks Bryce Thompson Getting Acclimated to a New System

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State basketball officially began practice Monday, September 23, in accordance with the NCAA calendar. With that, Steve Lutz met with the media Monday afternoon to discuss the upcoming season.

We’ll be covering the entirety of the press conference in the coming days, but I’ll be starting things off with Lutz talking about Bryce Thompson. 

BT missed more than half of the Big 12 slate following a shoulder injury against Kansas on Jan. 30 that required surgery. 

Being the longest-tenured player on the team, the question of how he’s gotten acclimated to a new coaching staff, system and terminology has been at the forefront of the offseason.

“[Bryce Thompson’s] been fantastic,” Lutz said on Monday. “He tries to do what we’re asking him to do. Obviously, our system’s a little different than the previous system, so it takes some good and bad days for him, but he’s been great. He’s tried to be a leader, he’s in the gym working, as are all the guys, and I expect him to have a productive year.”

Regarding the injury back in January, I asked coach Lutz how quickly Thompson got acclimated to the changes.

“To be very frank with you, he didn’t get acclimated in the summer because he was still on the shelf because of being hurt. You know, he had shoulder surgery [in the spring]. So, he didn’t get released until end of August, early September, I think he finally got released for full contact. So, in the summer, he would do some of the dry stuff and the shooting and those sorts of things, but he never really got out there until end of August, early September.

“But, with that being said, I think within the first three or four days of practice, when the ball was rolling and it was time to go dive on it, he didn’t hesitate at all. He wasn’t worried about his shoulder; he was trying to make winning plays.”

Thompson has had flashes of good during his time in Stillwater. Everything we’ve heard of Lutz’ motion offense and the style of defense they run, Bryce should thrive in the environment.