? about the Sooners

[bgrch1350]

Ya'll need to listen to bgrch. After all, look at his predictions about playing the 3 freshmen worked out. :facepalm

2 of those freshmen combined for 1 point against Kansas. Thats exactly what I thought those guys would bring.

 

[KBaden145]

What did you see from Spangler???He had one good game. Hell, everyone on our roster has had one good game. He averaged 5mpg and 2 pts last season. If he was on there team this year, he would be averaging about the same.

We are not going to be better next year. We are losing Osby and replacing him with no one!!! M'Baye isn't even better than Osby of last season. We are bringing in a bunch of juco post players that wouldn't start for any big 12 team. If a post player can't average over 14ppg in juco...they aren't going to contribute much scoring in Div 1 where there are legit post players guarding them.

Spangler is the best rebounder on the team and a skilled player. He just isn't as athletic as Ro. MBaye will be better, Bennett will be a factor, and Cam brings a lot of versatility. That group will be almost as good as what we have inside right now and that is not taking into account anything the JC bigs or Henry might be able to bring.

 

[garyeb2]

What did you see from Spangler???He had one good game. Hell, everyone on our roster has had one good game. He averaged 5mpg and 2 pts last season. If he was on there team this year, he would be averaging about the same.

We are not going to be better next year. We are losing Osby and replacing him with no one!!! M'Baye isn't even better than Osby of last season. We are bringing in a bunch of juco post players that wouldn't start for any big 12 team. If a post player can't average over 14ppg in juco...they aren't going to contribute much scoring in Div 1 where there are legit post players guarding them.

Well, firstly I don't know why you take some of the positions that you do. But, even at that, you leave off some important stuff. I'm not discounting Osby. I like him alot. He is our best player.

I have a news flash for you. Osby wouldn't start at Gonzaga either. A chunk of Osby's production is a function of Kruger trying to get him the ball in a position to score. Just like Pledger's production last year.

Pledger averaged 16 last year bcause he is a good shooter and was provided with ample opportunity to shoot. This year he is still a good shooter and is averaging 10/11 because his opportunities went down.

It could easily work out that M'Baye replaces Osby's production because he has gotten alittle better and his opportunities go up. Then Spangler would only have to replace this years M'Baye production. The club that thinks he couldn't do at least that is pretty small. You are the only member.

And finally on the topic of bigs. Kruger doesn't typically build his team off of the scoring of his post player. This season is a case where it is merely his best option. A going joke around Las Vegas when Kruger got the OU job was that if Kruger had a player like Blake, he would have had him out on the peremeter setting sceens for wings. An athletic defending,rebounding, mop up around the rim post player fits very well into the types of teams Kruger likes to build. Every post player on campus next year will be better suited for what Kruger wants and needs that a player like Fitz. And the team will be better for it.

Staying on the offensive end, Kruger wants his guards and wings to be able to take defenders off the dribble first and foremost. Putting together a 4 guard Iowa St. looking bunch of 3 pt. sharp shooters is not the plan. Having a slow footed catch and shoot guard on the floor just happens to be his best available option right now. He has recruited well to bring in the type of players that can do the things he needs and the team will be better for it.

 

[AdaSooner]

What did you see from Spangler???He had one good game. Hell, everyone on our roster has had one good game. He averaged 5mpg and 2 pts last season. If he was on there team this year, he would be averaging about the same.

We are not going to be better next year. We are losing Osby and replacing him with no one!!! M'Baye isn't even better than Osby of last season. We are bringing in a bunch of juco post players that wouldn't start for any big 12 team. If a post player can't average over 14ppg in juco...they aren't going to contribute much scoring in Div 1 where there are legit post players guarding them.

Will it never end? You continue to make outlandish claims as if you can actually predict the future. You said the same things about M'Baye last year. You even said he wouldn't start this season. Yet, he has started every game, and he's averaging 10.7 ppg (third on the team in scoring) and 5.7 rpg (second on the team in rebounds). Better still, his numbers have improved in Big 12 play to an average of 11.3 ppg and 6 rpg.

Then again, if Coach Kruger took your advice Amath's scoring and rebounding would likely go down not up. You said that he should move Osby and M'Baye to the perimeter to shoot more threes, a strategy that is sure to leave our guards and wings to do most of the dirty work inside. I don't even want to think about how a move like that would play out against Big 12 opponents who already have a size advantage on OU.

Osby and M'Baye need to shoot more outside shots. And Osby needs to shoot more 3's. He's prolly one of our top 3 3pt shooters. He had several opportunities to shoot it and didn't take it and the one time he did...he made it.

I have more confidence in Osby shooting jump shots and 3pointers than everyone else on the team except for Pledger. He's not going to make every shot but nether does any other player.

You're right about one thing. We'll definitely miss Osby next season. Pledger will be missed, too, just not as much because Hield and Hornbeak will fill that void to some extent. We'll also have a true point guard in Woodard who can score, which will allow Je'lon to move to the two guard position where he should be more effective on offense.

What we don't know (and the WE includes you) is what kind of impact Spangler, Bennett and the two juco players will have on the team? You keep talking about Hamilton and Elliott as if they're being brought in to start right away, which is not the case. They will be role players, an ingredient every team needs to be successful. If one or both turns out to be starter material, that will be a bonus. Another unknown at this point is who will OU sign in April?

In short, none of us have a clue whether next year's team will be better or worse. We can offer an opinion, which is nothing more than pure speculation. But to say, "We are not going to be better next year," as if it's a statement of fact is just wrong.

 

[DenverSooner]

I think next years team is going to take a huge dive...especially in the big 12. We lose our deep threat shooter. We lose Osby who is our most dominant player. M'Baye isn't drawing the best low post defender and he hasn't been able to take over and next season he will be the guy that our opponents will focus on stopping. We just saw what Cousins and Hornbeak could do against a top team..1 pt combined. And I think Hield will struggle next year being that there will be a lot of pressure on him to win games.

That is a bit premartue on Cousins and Hornbeak. We saw two true freshman play their first game in Lawrence against arguably the number one team in the nation and certainly one of the top teams. Lets see how they do in Norman before we write them off so quickly.

 

[KBaden145]

Another unknown at this point is who will OU sign in April?

Ada, do you or anyone else know who, besides Randle, we are still recruiting at this point?

 

[originalsooner55]

Will it never end? You continue to make outlandish claims as if you can actually predict the future. You said the same things about M'Baye last year. You even said he wouldn't start this season. Yet, he has started every game, and he's averaging 10.7 ppg (third on the team in scoring) and 5.7 rpg (second on the team in rebounds). Better still, his numbers have improved in Big 12 play to an average of 11.3 ppg and 6 rpg.

Then again, if Coach Kruger took your advice Amath's scoring and rebounding would likely go down not up. You said that he should move Osby and M'Baye to the perimeter to shoot more threes, a strategy that is sure to leave our guards and wings to do most of the dirty work inside. I don't even want to think about how a move like that would play out against Big 12 opponents who already have a size advantage on OU.



You're right about one thing. We'll definitely miss Osby next season. Pledger will be missed, too, just not as much because Hield and Hornbeak will fill that void to some extent. We'll also have a true point guard in Woodard who can score, which will allow Je'lon to move to the two guard position where he should be more effective on offense.

What we don't know (and the WE includes you) is what kind of impact Spangler, Bennett and the two juco players will have on the team? You keep talking about Hamilton and Elliott as if they're being brought in to start right away, which is not the case. They will be role players, an ingredient every team needs to be successful. If one or both turns out to be starter material, that will be a bonus. Another unknown at this point is who will OU sign in April?

In short, none of us have a clue whether next year's team will be better or worse. We can offer an opinion, which is nothing more than pure speculation. But to say, "We are not going to be better next year," as if it's a statement of fact is just wrong.

+1

 

[Big Old Booger]

What did you see from Spangler???He had one good game. Hell, everyone on our roster has had one good game. He averaged 5mpg and 2 pts last season. If he was on there team this year, he would be averaging about the same.

We are not going to be better next year. We are losing Osby and replacing him with no one!!! M'Baye isn't even better than Osby of last season. We are bringing in a bunch of juco post players that wouldn't start for any big 12 team. If a post player can't average over 14ppg in juco...they aren't going to contribute much scoring in Div 1 where there are legit post players guarding them.

Clown post.

If Capel were our coach, you are correct we would likely not be better next year. However, we have Lon Kruger who has taken 4 programs to the NCAA tourney. I think the biggest help will be losing Pledger and Fitz because those guys don't fit what Kruger wants to do. He doesn't have much material so he is trying to make chicken salad out of chicken $h!t and he's doing a pretty good job. I think Clark could have a breakout season next year if he keeps getting more assertive. He went back into his shell vs KU on Saturday, but pretty much the entire roster did so I'm not too worried about it at this point.

Cousins will be better offensively, but I really like his defensive game. I think he is going to get a lot better next year with a full year under Kruger and Henson. I expect him to be much improved next year.

Starting 5:

Woodard/Hornbeak
Hield/Hornbeak
Clark/Hield
M'Baye
Spangler/Bennett

With Spangler, it will be a smaller lineup but quick and physical and more resemble a Kruger team.

 

[AdaSooner]

Ada, do you or anyone else know who, besides Randle, we are still recruiting at this point?

Not a clue, KBaden. I don't spend much time keeping up on things like that anymore. Maybe Sam or Will or someone else in the know can give us an update on the recruits our staff might be considering for next year's class.

As several others have said, if we don't get Randle, I would like to see that ship go to a scoring guard or wing. I'm not nearly as concerned about getting points from the outside as some seem to be. But there is no such thing as too players who can score from the perimeter.

 

[garyeb2]

Not a clue, KBaden. I don't spend much time keeping up on things like that anymore. Maybe Sam or Will or someone else in the know can give us an update on the recruits our staff might be considering for next year's class.

As several others have said, if we don't get Randle, I would like to see that ship go to a scoring guard or wing. I'm not nearly as concerned about getting points from the outside as some seem to be. But there is no such thing as too players who can score from the perimeter.

I hope Sam or Will do have an update on that last spot. My guess is that he will get a player (either juco or hs) that he believes will help right away or a quailty sit out a year transfer. The last thing I would expect is a round out the roster limited participation role player.

 

[AdaSooner]

I hope Sam or Will do have an update on that last spot. My guess is that he will get a player (either juco or hs) that he believes will help right away or a quailty sit out a year transfer. The last thing I would expect is a round out the roster limited participation role player.

I'm with you, Gary. I would rather see LK save that ship for the 2014 class, than use it on a recruit who could not contribute in a meaningful way next season.

 

[bgrch1350]

Well, firstly I don't know why you take some of the positions that you do. But, even at that, you leave off some important stuff. I'm not discounting Osby. I like him alot. He is our best player.

I have a news flash for you. Osby wouldn't start at Gonzaga either. A chunk of Osby's production is a function of Kruger trying to get him the ball in a position to score. Just like Pledger's production last year.

Pledger averaged 16 last year bcause he is a good shooter and was provided with ample opportunity to shoot. This year he is still a good shooter and is averaging 10/11 because his opportunities went down.

It could easily work out that M'Baye replaces Osby's production because he has gotten alittle better and his opportunities go up. Then Spangler would only have to replace this years M'Baye production. The club that thinks he couldn't do at least that is pretty small. You are the only member.

And finally on the topic of bigs. Kruger doesn't typically build his team off of the scoring of his post player. This season is a case where it is merely his best option. A going joke around Las Vegas when Kruger got the OU job was that if Kruger had a player like Blake, he would have had him out on the peremeter setting sceens for wings. An athletic defending,rebounding, mop up around the rim post player fits very well into the types of teams Kruger likes to build. Every post player on campus next year will be better suited for what Kruger wants and needs that a player like Fitz. And the team will be better for it.

Staying on the offensive end, Kruger wants his guards and wings to be able to take defenders off the dribble first and foremost. Putting together a 4 guard Iowa St. looking bunch of 3 pt. sharp shooters is not the plan. Having a slow footed catch and shoot guard on the floor just happens to be his best available option right now. He has recruited well to bring in the type of players that can do the things he needs and the team will be better for it.

I sure hope you guys are right that we are better next year. I don't think we will be...and thats my opinion. I think were losing a lot and gaining very little. I think the loss of Pledger, Osby, and Fitzgerald will be huge. If we get Randle, my opinion will change. Hope Kruger can land him.

 

[KBaden145]

I sure hope you guys are right that we are better next year. I don't think we will be...and thats my opinion. I think were losing a lot and gaining very little. I think the loss of Pledger, Osby, and Fitzgerald will be huge. If we get Randle, my opinion will change. Hope Kruger can land him.

I'm totally with you on Osby. Pledger and Fitz...thank you for your service over the last 4 years...and that's about it. Onward and upward.