2020 Recruiting

[Sooner04]

Kruger's hiring history after having to replace Henson and Hill = garbage. We will see who he can get this time or a lead assistant role, but I am not getting my hopes up.

I'm with you. It feels like a sinking ship.

 

[CoachTalk]

I'm with you. It feels like a sinking ship.

These are great takes!

Keep them coming.

 

[CoachTalk]

I agree. He hasn’t done very well hiring assistants while at OU.

These turrible assistants just brought in a top 20 class.
A top 30 and top 5 PG.
3 4 stars.
Couple jucos
And a project.


Just plain awful

 

[mict085]

These turrible assistants just brought in a top 20 class.
A top 30 and top 5 PG.
3 4 stars.
Couple jucos
And a project.


Just plain awful

Interesting that you don’t point to wins and losses over the last 3 years. If we’re recruiting so we’ll, why do we have losing records in conference play? Why can’t we make it out of the first weekend of the tourney? Why can’t we compete for conference titles?

 

[AdaSooner]

Interesting that you don’t point to wins and losses over the last 3 years. If we’re recruiting so we’ll, why do we have losing records in conference play? Why can’t we make it out of the first weekend of the tourney? Why can’t we compete for conference titles?

The answer is simple. Our recruiting the past two seasons has suffered from a lack of quality recruits and too many projects who haven’t panned out. There are exceptions, of course, Jamal Bieniemy for example.

I honestly believe that changed with the signing of our 2019 class. Obviously, time will tell if I’m right. But, until I’m proven wrong I plan to return to my usual optimistic self and look forward to enjoying the ride. You’re welcome to join me if you like.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Interesting that you don’t point to wins and losses over the last 3 years. If we’re recruiting so we’ll, why do we have losing records in conference play? Why can’t we make it out of the first weekend of the tourney? Why can’t we compete for conference titles?

This! A good coaching staff does not lose 63% of their conference games over a 3-year stretch. If the recruiting has been so great, then the actual coaching must be really poor.

:OUbball-logo:

 

[SoonerTraveler]

The answer is simple. Our recruiting the past two seasons has suffered from a lack of quality recruits and too many projects who haven’t panned out. There are exceptions, of course, Jamal Bieniemy for example.

I honestly believe that changed with the signing of our 2019 class. Obviously, time will tell if I’m right. But, until I’m proven wrong I plan to return to my usual optimistic self and look forward to enjoying the ride. You’re welcome to join me if you like.

I admire your upbeat outlook. That is the best way to be. For me, the ride has not been enjoyable in recent years.

Does Coach Kruger actually work hard at his job, or is he retired-in-place? I do not know. Does he put in 8-12 hours a day, or does he play golf a lot? I do not know. Is he highly motivated to excel, or is he happy to "just get by" at this point in his career? I do not know. What is he doing this week to make the program better? I do not know.

Coach Kruger has reached the top of his profession. He is not going any higher. Would Joe C. allow a head coach to goof-off? No. I don't think so. But, I sometimes wonder. Joe is a bureaucrat at a large organization.

Anyway, these thoughts have crossed my mind recently. I do not know the answers to the above questions. But my enthusiasm at looking forward to the start of another basketball season is not what it used to be. If I miss an OU basketball game on TV, its no big deal anymore.

:OUbball-logo:

 

[Soonerinkc]

The answer is simple. Our recruiting the past two seasons has suffered from a lack of quality recruits and too many projects who haven’t panned out. There are exceptions, of course, Jamal Bieniemy for example.

I honestly believe that changed with the signing of our 2019 class. Obviously, time will tell if I’m right. But, until I’m proven wrong I plan to return to my usual optimistic self and look forward to enjoying the ride. You’re welcome to join me if you like.

Ada...I'm generally trying to be optimistic..like you. BUT, you've proved a point..the last 2 classes have been crap (basically). THAT is on the coaches, LK as the head man. He has to take ownership of WHO he sends his guys out to recruit or who they bring to the table for a discussion.

I like him as a man, he has integrity, honesty and is respectful. Obviously he will win more games coaching D1 than I ever will...LOL but I still question some things he does. Nature of the business.

 

[usedtobe1]

I agree. He hasn’t done very well hiring assistants while at OU.

I’m in the minority but I liked the Jim Molinari hire. I’ve always thought he was a pretty good coach. He knows the game and is very enthusiastic. We need some emotion from our coaching staff.

 

[AdaSooner]

Traveler and Soonerinkc, I’m still battling my way through the most depressing period as an OU basketball fan since the ‘88 loss to Kansas.

It hasn’t been easy and I’m not going to pretend that all is forgotten and forgiven with the mess Lon and his staff made of the seasons following our final four run. No one needs to remind me that we made it to the dance during those seasons. I know how to recognize mediocrity when our basketball program should have been riding a final four to even more success.

If I didn’t believe the players coming back and coming in next season will make us proud of our basketball program again, I would be right where you are now, only worse is my guess. But, you can take this to the bank! If this coaching staff finds a way to screw up another season, I will be calling for their collective heads!

No more excuses and no more chances!!! Just pack your bags and leave without looking back!!!!!

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Thanks Ada. I always appreciate your views and the way you express those views, and what you do for this board. I so much want you to be correct in the optimism you expressed in your earlier post. I certainly agree with your latest post.

Like usedtobe1, I like the hire of Jim Molinari. This appears to be an upgrade to the coaching staff to me. IMHO, Coach Kruger has the opportunity for another upgrade with the departure of Crutchfield. There is no reason to hurry to make that new hire, so I will patiently wait to see what happens. Heck, that's all I can do in any event.

:OUbball-logo:

 

[Seymore Cox]

This! A good coaching staff does not lose 63% of their conference games over a 3-year stretch. If the recruiting has been so great, then the actual coaching must be really poor.

:OUbball-logo:

So do you blame Kruger for any of it, or h
Is he just great?

 

[SoonerTraveler]

So do you blame Kruger for any of it, or h
Is he just great?

Seriously? Of course I blame Coach Kruger. Where have you been this season?

:OUbball-logo:

 

[usedtobe1]

Is there any chance Joe C put some pressure on Lon to make some changes with his coaching staff? Like with KK? I’m betting Sherri was absolutely told to make some changes..... and I think she’s on a short leash.

 

[SoonerinNC]

I don't think you can call the last two recruiting classes crap, but you can call them short of quantity. We had TY, Manek and Bieniemy. Unfortunately, when you recruit a one and done you need to have an extra quality recruit in the class.

Young to me is one of the top 5 talents to ever play at OU. But he did not make his teammates better players. Actually, I think he did the first half of the season but then maybe he lost confidence in them and tried to do too much himself. Then the teammates lost confidence in him when he started making wild passes and taking rediculous shots.

The previous two classes were pretty soft. James and Odomes didn't become consistent contributers and McGusty never learned to play with others.

Kruger has to take credit for the recruiting shortcomings. Hopefully the group coming in will improve things. I don't see him ever bringing in a top 5 class. He is just not the type to get into the rat race for the one and done guys. Young was special to him. Would have been a great story had it worked out well over the full season. Further, I suspect that the NCAA would come down hard on OU if they used some of the tactics that go on out there.

 

[Soonerinkc]

Traveler and Soonerinkc, I’m still battling my way through the most depressing period as an OU basketball fan since the ‘88 loss to Kansas.

It hasn’t been easy and I’m not going to pretend that all is forgotten and forgiven with the mess Lon and his staff made of the seasons following our final four run. No one needs to remind me that we made it to the dance during those seasons. I know how to recognize mediocrity when our basketball program should have been riding a final four to even more success.

If I didn’t believe the players coming back and coming in next season will make us proud of our basketball program again, I would be right where you are now, only worse is my guess. But, you can take this to the bank! If this coaching staff finds a way to screw up another season, I will be calling for their collective heads!

No more excuses and no more chances!!! Just pack your bags and leave without looking back!!!!!

yup...agree 100%....I was/am living in KC in '88...couldn't buy a damn ku fan til that night...jeeze.

I'm excited to see fresh blood...JB was very good...I think Manek CAN prosper with other scorers coming in...HOPEFULLY a FUN year...like the old Billy Ball days~

 

[colston15]

Traveler and Soonerinkc, I’m still battling my way through the most depressing period as an OU basketball fan since the ‘88 loss to Kansas.

It hasn’t been easy and I’m not going to pretend that all is forgotten and forgiven with the mess Lon and his staff made of the seasons following our final four run. No one needs to remind me that we made it to the dance during those seasons. I know how to recognize mediocrity when our basketball program should have been riding a final four to even more success.

If I didn’t believe the players coming back and coming in next season will make us proud of our basketball program again, I would be right where you are now, only worse is my guess. But, you can take this to the bank! If this coaching staff finds a way to screw up another season, I will be calling for their collective heads!

No more excuses and no more chances!!! Just pack your bags and leave without looking back!!!!!

I'm sorry, but what are you talking about?

We've been to the NCAAs two of the last three seasons with an impressive tournament win last season.

The year after the Final 4 season was bad, but not completely unexpected as the coaching staff was picked off by other schools and we were never going to reload after losing Buddy, Spangler, Cousins, etc.

Now we've put together a Top 20 recruiting class and appear to be a contender next season.

All this with moderate to little buy in from fans/donors and administration.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm sorry, but what are you talking about?

We've been to the NCAAs two of the last three seasons with an impressive tournament win last season.

The year after the Final 4 season was bad, but not completely unexpected as the coaching staff was picked off by other schools and we were never going to reload after losing Buddy, Spangler, Cousins, etc.

Now we've put together a Top 20 recruiting class and appear to be a contender next season.

All this with moderate to little buy in from fans/donors and administration.

You’ve got your opinion of the last three seasons, I’ve got mine. Nice to know you were satisfied with what I called, mediocrity!

I made it clear that I am not only pleased but I’m optimistic about the players we’ve got coming back, as well as our 2019 recruiting class. You obviously missed that part or you chose to ignore what I had to say.

I stand by my assessment of the seasons following our Final Four run. OU should be competing for conference titles, not finishing with a losing record in Big 12 play. Our best finish was sixth during those seasons. I don’t think I’m the only one who was less than satisfied with the way those seasons turned out.

 

[WTSooner]

I'm sorry, but what are you talking about?

We've been to the NCAAs two of the last three seasons with an impressive tournament win last season.

The year after the Final 4 season was bad, but not completely unexpected as the coaching staff was picked off by other schools and we were never going to reload after losing Buddy, Spangler, Cousins, etc.

Now we've put together a Top 20 recruiting class and appear to be a contender next season.

All this with moderate to little buy in from fans/donors and administration.

Contender for what exactly?

 

[SoonerTraveler]

.... I stand by my assessment of the seasons following our Final Four run. OU should be competing for conference titles, not finishing with a losing record in Big 12 play. Our best finish was sixth during those seasons. I don’t think I’m the only one who was less than satisfied with the way those seasons turned out.

I am with you Ada. It is worse than mediocre to only win 37% of regular season conference games over the past 3 seasons.

OU Seeding in Big-12 Tournament
> 2017 ... #9 Seed
> 2018 ... #9 Seed
> 2019 ... #7 Seed

That is consistency. Consistently mediocre. OU is 0-3 in the above tournaments, and that 0.000 winning percentage is not even included in the 37% winning percentage noted above. OU has not even been able to win a game in Kansas City against the other conference bottom feeders.