2016 season

[Eielson]

Unless Lattin improves dramatically, he shouldn't start at all. It would be disappointing if he did.

Admittedly, this is something that I have been banking on. He's a great athlete with a great motor, and if I'm not mistaken, he hasn't played basketball for that long. Nobody is a lock to dramatically improve over the course of their career, but if anybody was, it would be him. Spangler, on the other hand, seems to have pretty well maxed out.

 

[pnkranger]

Why does everybody think Spangler has a starting spot locked up? We don't owe him anything beyond his scholarship if he doesn't win a spot, and what he did in previous years is irrelevant. I know he's been a huge help for us these last two years, and it might be difficult for Lon to bench him, but if we're in the business of winning games, we owe it to the rest of the team and fanbase to play the best players. If we're looking to win a conference championship and do more than beat double-seeded teams in the tourney, Spangler is a weak link in our starting lineup.

Don't get me wrong, he has his uses, and would get solid minutes off the bench, but if we have to depend on him like we have these last two years, I don't see us making much noise.

Spangler as a senior would start on literally every big 12 team with the possible exception of Iowa state (who will play Niang and McKay in 4 and 5). We depend on him because he is an incredible player when healthy. What we need from Ryan is enough depth to keep his minutes down so he can play more aggressively on offense.

 

[Eielson]

Spangler as a senior would start on literally every big 12 team with the possible exception of Iowa state (who will play Niang and McKay in 4 and 5). We depend on him because he is an incredible player when healthy. What we need from Ryan is enough depth to keep his minutes down so he can play more aggressively on offense.

An incredible player? Is that how everybody else feels? To me, he's just a player that holds a spot, and functions as somewhat of a band-aid. I don't agree that he could start on nearly every Big XII team, but I don't want to get caught up in details like that. He wouldn't start for ISU, and he wouldn't start for KU, and that is our competition. Oklahoma is one of the only Sweet 16 teams he would have started for this year.

He rebounds well (which we needed this year, and may need again), but he's not particularly skilled offensively, and he's pretty average on defense.

I wouldn't have a problem with Spangler in the starting lineup if I was fine with a 3rd place conference finish and a chance at a Sweet 16 appearance. If Buddy comes back, I want to go further.

 

[BigTime]

An incredible player? Is that how everybody else feels? To me, he's just a player that holds a spot, and functions as somewhat of a band-aid. I don't agree that he could start on nearly every Big XII team, but I don't want to get caught up in details like that. He wouldn't start for ISU, and he wouldn't start for KU, and that is our competition. Oklahoma is one of the only Sweet 16 teams he would have started for this year.

He rebounds well (which we needed this year, and may need again), but he's not particularly skilled offensively, and he's pretty average on defense.

I wouldn't have a problem with Spangler in the starting lineup if I was fine with a 3rd place conference finish and a chance at a Sweet 16 appearance. If Buddy comes back, I want to go further.

Wow. I completely disagree and that's laughable to say that he wouldn't start on any of the sweet 16 teams. He'd start on at least 7 of them as is just thinking quickly through them and even more next year as he progresses.

He was very obviously injured from January on.

You are dead wrong on this one but welcome to the board...

 

[Eielson]

Wow. I completely disagree and that's laughable to say that he wouldn't start on any of the sweet 16 teams. He'd start on at least 7 of them as is just thinking quickly through them and even more next year as he progresses.

I didn't say he couldn't start on any Sweet 16 teams. I just said he wouldn't start on many. He'd start for a few, but those are mostly the lower-seeded teams. I'd be interested to see the 7 you came up with, as I think it's overly generous to go north of 5, and most of those 5 were lucky to get a Sweet 16 birth.

 

[thewez]

Good to see the offseason board postings are in full swing. We want Spangler coming off the bench now.
I can't wait to hear someone say Cousins shouldn't start. I know the Woodard talk would already be happening if he had anyone backing him up.

 

[BigTime]

Good to see the offseason board postings are in full swing. We want Spangler coming off the bench now.
I can't wait to hear someone say Cousins shouldn't start. I know the Woodard talk would already be happening if he had anyone backing him up.

Same stuff different year...

My 2 deep

Lattin, AKM
Spangs, Buford
Buddy, RO
Cousins, RO
Woodard, Cousins (man I hope it's Pritchard...)

Couple of opinions/predictions
Buford will get some time at the wing if he can make deep jumpers
Odomes is going to surprise people imo
I think James will be rusty and out of shape - hope I'm wrong
Lattin will be much improved offensively as will a HEALTHY Spangler
I just don't see much time for Walker unless Buddy goes pro
McNease will probably get DJ type minutes if he can continue to bulk up

Should be a legit Top 10 team if Buddy comes back and could contend if the rumors about Pritchard are true!

 

[KBaden145]

If you were to tell me we would be guaranteed of having a player at least as good as Spangler has been the last 2 years playing PF every season, I'd be as happy as a pig in slop. He's a banger, a leader, a rock. I only wish we had a couple more just like him.


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[KBaden145]

Why does everybody think Spangler has a starting spot locked up? We don't owe him anything beyond his scholarship if he doesn't win a spot, and what he did in previous years is irrelevant. I know he's been a huge help for us these last two years, and it might be difficult for Lon to bench him, but if we're in the business of winning games, we owe it to the rest of the team and fanbase to play the best players. If we're looking to win a conference championship and do more than beat double-seeded teams in the tourney, Spangler is a weak link in our starting lineup.



Don't get me wrong, he has his uses, and would get solid minutes off the bench, but if we have to depend on him like we have these last two years, I don't see us making much noise.

Completely ridiculous post...


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[WTSooner]

If you were to tell me we would be guaranteed of having a player at least as good as Spangler has been the last 2 years playing PF every season, I'd be as happy as a pig in slop. He's a banger, a leader, a rock. I only wish we had a couple more just like him.


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I could argue he is one of the weaker PF starters we've had in the last 10 years or so.

Starting PF's -

2015 - Spangler
2014 - Cam Clark
2013 - M'Baye
2012 - Osby
2011 - Cam Clark
2010 - Looks like we mostly played a 4 guard lineup this year.
2009 - Taylor Griffin
2008 - Taylor Griffin and Blake Griffin
2007 - Nate Carter and Taylor Griffin
2006 - Bookout
2005 - Bookout
2004 - Bookout and Gilbert (think Bookout got hurt this season)
2003 - Bookout
2002 - Ace McGhee
2001 - A lot of 4 guard, and either Ace/Gilbert/Heywood as the PF.

Not a lot of names on that list I'd take Spangler over. And that is no disrespect to Ryan. He plays his butt off, he just isn't really a difference maker. Logging starter minutes wears him down, b/c he isn't build to play the way he has to play for 30 minutes a night all season. Would love it if he could come in off the bench, but we don't have the players to allow that to happen right now. I definitely believe he should and will start next season, but I'm guessing we look back in a few years and consider him one of our weaker PF's under LK.

 

[BCSooners]

Admittedly, this is something that I have been banking on. He's a great athlete with a great motor, and if I'm not mistaken, he hasn't played basketball for that long. Nobody is a lock to dramatically improve over the course of their career, but if anybody was, it would be him. Spangler, on the other hand, seems to have pretty well maxed out.

McNeace hasn't played for very long. Lattin has probably had a basketball in his hand since he was born.

 

[KBaden145]

I could argue he is one of the weaker PF starters we've had in the last 10 years or so.



Starting PF's -



2015 - Spangler

2014 - Cam Clark

2013 - M'Baye

2012 - Osby

2011 - Cam Clark

2010 - Looks like we mostly played a 4 guard lineup this year.

2009 - Taylor Griffin

2008 - Taylor Griffin and Blake Griffin

2007 - Nate Carter and Taylor Griffin

2006 - Bookout

2005 - Bookout

2004 - Bookout and Gilbert (think Bookout got hurt this season)

2003 - Bookout

2002 - Ace McGhee

2001 - A lot of 4 guard, and either Ace/Gilbert/Heywood as the PF.



Not a lot of names on that list I'd take Spangler over. And that is no disrespect to Ryan. He plays his butt off, he just isn't really a difference maker. Logging starter minutes wears him down, b/c he isn't build to play the way he has to play for 30 minutes a night all season. Would love it if he could come in off the bench, but we don't have the players to allow that to happen right now. I definitely believe he should and will start next season, but I'm guessing we look back in a few years and consider him one of our weaker PF's under LK.

We aren't going to agree about this but I would take him over everyone you listed except Blake, McGee, and Ro. I would take Gray and Thomas ahead of him also (I consider Bookout a 5 but that's just semantics). That's a stout list of posts so I do agree that for us to get to where I think we should be, Ryan is a guy that needs to come off the bench but I would say that about almost every TRUE post you listed, WT. That includes Bookout, Taylor Griffin, and MBaye. We need a talent upgrade inside and we just don't have anyone else who would push Ryan aside next season. What I'm trying to say is I want someone at least as good as him every year at the 4. No Cam Clarks or Nate Carters or Taylor Griffins. True PFs who are warriors, will bang, and lead. I appreciate a guy like Spangler and I'd take a couple of guys just like him every year, starter or not, and feel really good about it.


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[BoulderSooner]

If Buddy comes back, I agree there aren't a lot of questions. A few key questions are:

1. Back up point guard?
2. Who takes Frank's spot as first guard off the bench: Odomes, James, or Buford? Hopefully we can get someone to attack the basket off the bench.
3. Can Manyang hang?

the backup point .. is the same as it was the last 20+ games this season .. cousins

 

[CoachTalk]

Spangler will start. He is our leader on the court. Watch during TO, FT, ups and downs of the game... He does all the talking, not Buddy, not Cousins, not thomas...

I know its normal offseason talk, but pull your head out of the sand.

 

[KBaden145]

Spangler will start. He is our leader on the court. Watch during TO, FT, ups and downs of the game... He does all the talking, not Buddy, not Cousins, not thomas...

I know its normal offseason talk, but pull your head out of the sand.

He mentioned in his post season interview about getting the young bigs back in the gym ASAP and getting to work on prepping them for next season. You have to have guys like this in your program every year.


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[OUHoops]

Manyang, McNeace
Spangler, Lattin, Buford
Hield, Buford, Odomes
Cousins, James, Odomes
Woodard, Pritchard, Walker

Sure hope Buddy comes back! We need the Harrison twins to declare so it will drop him two more spots in the draft.

 

[KBaden145]

Do you know something we don't???


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[BigTime]

Do you know something we don't???


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Vbdad has been right on inside info in the past. I am assuming Hoops is hoping he is right again...

 

[KBaden145]

Vbdad has been right on inside info in the past. I am assuming Hoops is hoping he is right again...

I read some stuff on Twitter but I thought it was just wishful thinking. Very interesting...


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[WTSooner]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but assuming the kid is a true JR in HS (ie, 17), I'd prefer he stay in school. The mid-year kids that go early for football are one thing, but leaving an entire year early.....man, just let the kid be a kid and enjoy his senior year. I don't get the rush, from his side or OU's side.

If he is older, and should be a senior this year, that is a different situation.