Great preview.
This year's VCU team is looking to pick up the pace even more than in the past couple of years. You should look for a lot of full court press and pressure all over the floor with a lot of back trapping out of our initial traps defensively. While I am concerned about our team against you guys on the offensive end I feel that defensively we can cause a lot of problems. You may want to look for Ed Nixon (our most athletic wing) to matchup with Willie Warren on the perimeter and you will see a lot of Kirill on Tiny with Larry looking for the weakside block.
I also would like to hear more about Oklahoma's team this year. Who are your post options other than tiny now that Patillo and Griffin are gone and will Warren play point among your other feelings about this year's team.
Thanks a lot it should be a good one in November.
Good luck. but not too much.
BSB,
Thanks for providing an update along with John.
I will give you a little breakdown on OU's 09-10 squad:
In the post, our team's biggest question mark coming into this year is rebounding. Anytime you lose the best rebounder in the country, along with two other very capable guys on the glass, then you worry about how you are going to replace that production. Both Ryan Wright and Orlando Allen have the potential to do well on the glass.
- Ryan is a UCLA transfer that played sparingly last year behind Juan and the Griffins. He is a guy that does a lot of great things on the practice court and in the classroom, but has not had the light come on in games yet. He is the favorite to start along side Tiny Gallon in the post next year as our center. He will probably be the guy that matches up against Sanders. I don't think OU is going to count much on Ryan to score, but mainly as a guy that can get rebounds and defend the post.
- Orlando Allen is a legit 6'11 JUCO with two years to play. He has worked hard to get into to shape, and also played sparingly last year. He actually beat Ryan out at one time during the season, but from several accounts, may be coming off the bench this year. He is probably our best shot blocking threat. He still needs a lot of work on the offensive end, and like Ryan, will be counted on for defense and rebounding. Our season may depend on whether or not Ryan, Lando, or Drew Fitzgerald can step up and be a dominant defender in the post and a solid rebounder.
-Drew Fitzgerald is a true frosh big from your neck of the woods. He is a kid that plays with a high motor and uses really good technique on the low blocks to score and rebound. There is little doubt in my mind that he will be a good rebounder in college, but the obvious question is whether or not he can do it as a true freshmen. Has worked hard this offseason to get into better shape. Most seem to think he will play early and often this year.
- Tiny Gallon. You guys probably know quite a bit about this guy from his Oak Hill press clippings, so I will spare you most of the details. What you may not know about Tiny is that he has gone from 365 this time last season - to 317 at the start of June - to being near 290 at last count. I find this really incredible and exciting. He will be our main scoring threat from the post. Two big questions loom regarding his play: 1. Can he stay out of foul trouble and play more than 28 minutes per game? 2. Can he rebound? You see, Tiny sometimes still thinks he is a guard....
- Other post options. Just to cover my bases, you may see Beau Gerber, a four year senior who earned a scholarship just this last year. You may also see true freshman, Kyle Hardrick, in the post. Both players are expected to only play sparingly this year.
As for your question regarding Willie and point guard minutes, yes, I do think you will see Willie at the point. Before the start of practice, it was thought that Willie might be THE GUY at point, and that Tommy Mason-Griffin would be eased into the role. However, TMG, has come out and really impressed (Coach Capel has raved about him so far), so it is more likely that you will see TMG and Willie starting together. Willie will get time as the only PG on the floor. He and Coach Capel both know that PG is his ticket to the NBA. The other good thing about TMG is that even though he is under 6 feet tall, he can have a shooting guard's mentality, so it doesn't hurt the team to have him out on the wing at times with Willie running the show.
Hope this was helpful....let me know if you have any other questions.
Boomer Sooner
BT
