As most basketball fans were watching the NCAA tournament today, Sean Sutton took a break from the TV. He had something more important to do. He was on a recruiting mission.

     The Oklahoma State hoops coach was in Las Vegas visiting one of the top junior college players in the country–Juan Patillo of Southern Idaho. Patillo is a 6-7 small forward/power forward. He a great athlete who can really shoot the ball.

     One problem that Sutton may have in recruiting right now is that rival coaches may be telling Patillo that Sean might not be coaching at OSU next season. Still no word from athletic director Mike Holder, who is in DesMoines watching the OSU Cowgirls play in the NCAA tournament.

     It just doesn’t seem fair to Sutton. There are all kind of rumors swirling right now. One of the more prominant one is that Billy Gillispie may be the next Poke coach. This seems a little hard to believe that he would leave a presitigious program like Kentucky and head to Stillwater. There are those who insist, however, that he may be unhappy in Lexington because of all of the pressure that comes with that job.

     But Sutton has just been going about doing his job. He is trying to reassure recruits that he will be the coach next season. But until Holder says something, the specualation is hot and heavy.

     Patillo is scheduled to visit Oklahoma State next weekend. Who are the Cowboys biggest rival? Well it appears to be none other than Oklahoma. Jeff Capel and his staff have been working hard at landing this versatile player. He is good enough that he would come in and start immediately for both the Cowboys and Sooners.

     Patillo, who is from Las Vegas, averaged 17.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. He shot 54 percent from the field and 35 percent from three point range. He averaged playing only 21.8 minutes a game becuase his team won so many games easily. Two other teams in consideration may be UAB and Washington.

     Sutton deseves to keep is job at OSU. And it’s time that Holder comes out with a public statement because right now the Cowboys recruiting is getting hurt because of this fiasco.