3 keys going into conference play

[catoosanumber22]

1) Fitz Fitz Fitz
I have said since the beginning of the year that i think he is THE player we should run our offense thru and he should be our # 1 scoring option. I know Cam Clark has really emerged as of late, but I don't think he is a guy that carry a team on his back yet. With that said, I don't know fitz necessarily is either, but he is our best bet.

2)Consistent point guard play
I like what I'm seeing from Carl Blair lately, but he (and Calvin Newell) have been very inconsistent. Calvin Newell has done nada lately with the exception of the Sac State game. The last 4 or 5 games, Blair hasn't been amazing, but he has been solid and steady, and I like that. If Blair can be a solid point guard, and Newell can provide some energy and scoring off the bench, that would be a tremendous boost during conference play.

3) Cam Clark
Although he is still adjusting to the college game, he is beginning to show why he was a top recruit coming out of high school.The sky is the limit for this kid, and that's scary, because he is already pretty darn good. I believe early in the year he had some confidence issues, but those seem to be long gone and hopefully he continues to play with swagger as conference play starts. If he can be a force consistently in conference play, I think we can win some ball games fellas

 

[AdaSooner]

I agree with #2 and #3. Guess you could say that I disagree somewhat on #1. I'll explain later.

I've said more than once that if we could combine Newell's quick feet and outside shooting with Blair's court vision and passing, we'd have a pretty good floor leader. Both have been good at times. But they're so inconsistent, it's hard to pick a winner in the competition to start at the point guard position.

You're spot on about Cam Clark. His progress in the past three to four games is one thing OU fans have to be excited about. You can just see his confidence grow with every game. Not to put more pressure on a freshman, but I think Cam may already be our best player.

Fitz has struggled lately. Defenses double and triple team him every time he touches the ball, because they know that's the key to stopping OU from scoring inside. Thus, Drew's numbers have declined noticeably. He's forcing shots inside now that we didn't see earlier in the season.

I agree in part that we should continue to run our offense through Fitzgerald. But only if he learns to kick the ball back out more often, and then reset if that creates an opening. He will also have fewer turnovers if he doesn't try to force the action in traffic.

It's easy to forget that Drew is just a sophomore with a lot to learn before he's a complete player. I love the guy and appreciate how hard he works every minute he's on the floor. But, if he's going to be the player we run our offense through, he needs to make better decisions when the ball is in his hands. It would also help if he stops getting himself in foul trouble. He's not much good to the team watching from the sidelines.

 

[scrybe]

1) Fitz Fitz Fitz
I have said since the beginning of the year that i think he is THE player we should run our offense thru and he should be our # 1 scoring option. I know Cam Clark has really emerged as of late, but I don't think he is a guy that carry a team on his back yet. With that said, I don't know fitz necessarily is either, but he is our best bet.

2)Consistent point guard play
I like what I'm seeing from Carl Blair lately, but he (and Calvin Newell) have been very inconsistent. Calvin Newell has done nada lately with the exception of the Sac State game. The last 4 or 5 games, Blair hasn't been amazing, but he has been solid and steady, and I like that. If Blair can be a solid point guard, and Newell can provide some energy and scoring off the bench, that would be a tremendous boost during conference play.

3) Cam Clark
Although he is still adjusting to the college game, he is beginning to show why he was a top recruit coming out of high school.The sky is the limit for this kid, and that's scary, because he is already pretty darn good. I believe early in the year he had some confidence issues, but those seem to be long gone and hopefully he continues to play with swagger as conference play starts. If he can be a force consistently in conference play, I think we can win some ball games fellas

Good post, catoosa. And I agree with most of it. Blair, Jr. is potentially a much better point guard than Newell. He's a great passer and is good at finding the open man. That's why you sometimes see 7-8 assists beside his name in the box score. If Carl can learn to play defense a little better and cut down on the turnovers, he can be THE point guard option. With our personnel being what it is, you probably won't see them both on the floor at the sime time very often. But Newell can be a scorer, I think, and is potentially a good defender, so Capel should consider playing him a little more at the two-guard alongside Blair.

I don't necessarily disagree with you about Fitz, but the kid needs to learn how to finish a little better and how to take the ball strong to the basket. Of course he's undersized, which handicaps him when he's playing against bigger forwards/centers (and that's most nights). He looks great some nights, then struggles others. I'd like to see him become a little more consistent, and I believe he will. Of course, if he doesn't cut down on the fouls, he won't be around long enough to have an impact in most conference games.

And, yes, Cam is getting better in leaps and bounds (pun intended). He's very athletic and is showing that he can score in various ways. And I believe he can be just as valuable a defender as he is a scorer, with his quickness and long arms. Reminds me a little of Mookie.

Let me add this about the Central Arkansas game: About 98 percent of the posters here said no one should take hope from our 3-point win over that team. Most point to the fact that UCA lost to Missouri by somewhere around 50 points; called them "bottom feeders," etc. But the main reason UCA kept the score so close was because they hardly ever missed their three-point field goal attempts. There's nothing easier (my opinion) in college basketball than getting a decent three-point look. Of course, what IS difficult is making a high percentage of those shots. UCA hit something like 12 of 19 of theirs. If they hit 6 instead of 12, OU wins by 20-plus. Of course the Sooners are not as good as Missouri; the Tigers are one of the three best teams in the league. But if OU was to play Central Arkansas 10 more times, I believe the Sooners win 9 (maybe all 10) and by an average of 15-20 points.

We'll both be flamed for these posts, but I really don't care. No matter how anyone feels about Capel as a coach, it's apparent these kids enjoy playing for him and are busting their butts trying to be competitive. I appreciate the effort they're giving and – like you – I think they'll win some games in conference play.

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

4) Me bringing a shakeweght to the KU game

 

[CMSOONER]

4) Me bringing a shakeweght to the KU game

The X factor! It's all over now.

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

The X factor! It's all over now.

See, that's not what I posted...the admins have way too much control in editing posts, avatars, signatures, etc. :facepalm

 

[Krugerfan52]

1) Fitz Fitz Fitz
I have said since the beginning of the year that i think he is THE player we should run our offense thru and he should be our # 1 scoring option. I know Cam Clark has really emerged as of late, but I don't think he is a guy that carry a team on his back yet. With that said, I don't know fitz necessarily is either, but he is our best bet.

2)Consistent point guard play
I like what I'm seeing from Carl Blair lately, but he (and Calvin Newell) have been very inconsistent. Calvin Newell has done nada lately with the exception of the Sac State game. The last 4 or 5 games, Blair hasn't been amazing, but he has been solid and steady, and I like that. If Blair can be a solid point guard, and Newell can provide some energy and scoring off the bench, that would be a tremendous boost during conference play.

3) Cam Clark
Although he is still adjusting to the college game, he is beginning to show why he was a top recruit coming out of high school.The sky is the limit for this kid, and that's scary, because he is already pretty darn good. I believe early in the year he had some confidence issues, but those seem to be long gone and hopefully he continues to play with swagger as conference play starts. If he can be a force consistently in conference play, I think we can win some ball games fellas

Well said. I agree.

 

[bocabull]

For me the key is Cameron Clark, Calvin Newell, Carl Blair, Pledger, Fitz, Tyler Neal, & CJ Washinton playing as many minutes and getting as much experience as possible against Big XII competition. Coach Capel needs to use this season to evaluate those 7 guys to plan for next season when we add Goff & Osby.

Our record means nothing to me this conference season. We are going to win a few games but setting the table for next season is all I care about because our lack of size, experience and athleticism is a problem this season that can't be overcome.

Come March this season is a huge success if 3 or 4 of the guys above are playing good basketball and our problems are rebounding and too little athleticism at the wing because Goff & Osby will fill those gaps.

And guys, be careful expecting too much from Fitz. We are so thin inside he is going to have a tough time. He has no help in there. Don't read too much into him struggling because when he is playing next to a guy like Goff his game will open up.