2012/2013 Roster

[DenverSooner]

He darn sure will not be starting in front of M'Baye and Osby if they are truly the two best players on the team. It just wouldn't make any sense. Additionally, for Arent to start he has to be better than Fitzgerald too (and Henry for that matter). I think next year OU has a solidfront court rotation of Osby, M'Baye and Fitzgerald with Arent getting minutes if OU has foul trouble or a particular matchup that the coaches prefer Arent over the others. I suspect Osby, M'Baye and Fitzgerald will all play 20 minutes or more a game.

My guess is next year the starters are: Grooms, Pledger, Clark, M'Baye, and Osby with Fitzgerald, Newell and Blair coming off the bench for the bulk of the minutes (Blair probably doesn't play much but will get 5-10 a game). That amounts to three guys coming off the bench that will have averaged 7.5 (Blair and 4.6 assist per game) points a game or more and two of them having averaged over 10 points a game in the past. (I am assuming Newell will average 10 points a game this season based on the first 5 games if he doesn't I think he will be close). This means OU should have a good pg, along with 6 other guys capable of scoring 10+ on every night and a solid backup pg with a better 3 point shot than the starter. This probably isnt' a top 10 team but I bet it is a top 25 team.

If anyone else is playing significant minutes in conference play next season that is a really good thing because it means they have some serious talent.

 

[campbest]

noone has shown me yet that they have a gauranteed starting spot....so I think the new kids have just as much of a chance to play as anyone...I dont buy into the hole this kid has been here 3 years stuff...the better player plays its that simple....

There will be some minutes available, but expecting Hield, Hornbeak and Henry to see significant time is not likely. Sorry you don't like the current roster but a three year starter in Pledger is better than a fringe 100 recruit. Hield and Hornbeak aren't big wings, so they are limited to the 1 or 2.

 

[WTSooner]

Hield and Hornbeak aren't big wings, so they are limited to the 1 or 2.

Depends. There are PLENTY of teams that could get buy playing a pg with Hield and Hornbeak. That is actually the type of lineup I prefer. A pg, two good scoring guards (neither of which is bigger than 6'4 or 6'5), a guy at the 4 that has range on his jumper (Ace, Osby, Najera), and a more traditional post in the 5th spot (Taj, though I'm not opposed to a guy like Brown, that is more true center).

 

[BoulderSooner]

have a 2 or 3 that is 6'6 or 6'7 is a great great thing

 

[WTSooner]

have a 2 or 3 that is 6'6 or 6'7 is a great great thing

Eh. Very few teams have 6'6 or 6'7 threes that actually should be playing there. We tried it with Taylor, didn't work. We heard Osby could do it, but there is no way. Neal? Not really.

OU won a lot of games over the last decade doing what 95% of college basketball does, and that is having pretty much a true guard playing the 3 spot. Typically a guard that is bigger than 6'2, but a guard none the less. Both Hield and Hornbeak are listed at 6'4. I'd rather run them out there with a pg, or run some combination of a pg and two of Hield/Hornbeak/Parker, then to stick an average guy out there just b/c he is 2-4 inches taller.

 

[DenverSooner]

Eh. Very few teams have 6'6 or 6'7 threes that actually should be playing there. We tried it with Taylor, didn't work. We heard Osby could do it, but there is no way. Neal? Not really.

OU won a lot of games over the last decade doing what 95% of college basketball does, and that is having pretty much a true guard playing the 3 spot. Typically a guard that is bigger than 6'2, but a guard none the less. Both Hield and Hornbeak are listed at 6'4. I'd rather run them out there with a pg, or run some combination of a pg and two of Hield/Hornbeak/Parker, then to stick an average guy out there just b/c he is 2-4 inches taller.

Ins't Cam Clark 6'6"?

 

[WTSooner]

Ins't Cam Clark 6'6"?

Yeah. And have we gained anything from his size?

 

[TheGimper]

Yeah. And have we gained anything from his size?

Quality rebounding? Dunks more than difficult for someone 6'4"? Extra long wingspan to further block the passing lanes?

 

[WTSooner]

Quality rebounding?

LOL

Grooms and Pledger are both out-rebounding Cam. So is Washington, in less than half the minutes.

Cam isn't a very good rebounder for his size.