After a couple of days to think about it.....

[IndySooner]

Here are a few things I have taken from my experience in Kansas City:

1) I'm sad that OU basketball has dwindled in stature. It's obvious that our fan base took the downturn in the Capel era, proceeded by the end of the Sampson era hard. I'm hopeful that in the coming years, things will get better as Coach Kruger restores a once proud program and fanbase.

2) The other programs and fans don't see our situation the way we see it. I talked to fans from all of the schools this week. Every person I talked to had great things to say about our program, our coach and the way our players acted and held themselves. The entire conference is watching what we do and respecting the way we do it.

3) I'm extremely excited about what is ahead for this program. Next year is likely a slight step back before we continue to move this thing in the right direction. I'm confident that as Lon continues to re-build this program, the fans will buy back in and the program will eventually have the kind of support it deserves.

4) As the only person (that I saw) in OU gear at the tournament last night, I'll proudly say that I continue to love and support OU basketball. We had a rough period for the last few years, but every long-term relationship does, right? Boomer Sooner and welcome back to life OU basketball!

:woot

 

[slappy in OP]

:clap:clap:clap

 

[WTSooner]

I agree with all of that.

Unless something unforeseen happens, starting the season after next, we should be able to go on a nice little run. Landing Booker to close out this class is key, IMO, but I really like our roster going forward.

 

[jerry]

Here are a few things I have taken from my experience in Kansas City:

1) I'm sad that OU basketball has dwindled in stature. It's obvious that our fan base took the downturn in the Capel era, proceeded by the end of the Sampson era hard. I'm hopeful that in the coming years, things will get better as Coach Kruger restores a once proud program and fanbase.

2) The other programs and fans don't see our situation the way we see it. I talked to fans from all of the schools this week. Every person I talked to had great things to say about our program, our coach and the way our players acted and held themselves. The entire conference is watching what we do and respecting the way we do it.

3) I'm extremely excited about what is ahead for this program. Next year is likely a slight step back before we continue to move this thing in the right direction. I'm confident that as Lon continues to re-build this program, the fans will buy back in and the program will eventually have the kind of support it deserves.

4) As the only person (that I saw) in OU gear at the tournament last night, I'll proudly say that I continue to love and support OU basketball. We had a rough period for the last few years, but every long-term relationship does, right? Boomer Sooner and welcome back to life OU basketball!

:woot

Good post!! I'm very enthusiastic about the future with Lon Kruger.

 

[colston15]

I don't think we'll take a step back next season at all.

M'Baye, along with the three freshmen on this year's squad, will be much better next season.

And we still have two 'ships to use to bring in players. Booker would be nice and we'll add another guy, too.

I'm hopeful we can find one of those transfers that's graduated and can play right away. I bet we're looking for one.

 

[IndySooner]

I don't think we'll take a step back next season at all.

M'Baye, along with the three freshmen on this year's squad, will be much better next season.

And we still have two 'ships to use to bring in players. Booker would be nice and we'll add another guy, too.

I'm hopeful we can find one of those transfers that's graduated and can play right away. I bet we're looking for one.

I hope you're right, but I don't know how you lose Osby and Pledger and don't take a slight step back. Not to mention the player that Sam Grooms has become.

 

[Cleavon Little]

:clap

 

[SoonerTraveler]

I do not think it is a foregone conclusion that the team will take a "step back" next season. Without Osby, Pledger, Grooms and Fitz, the team will certainly be different, but there is a good chance that the younger guys will improve. In any event, I also look forward to the coming years, We have not yet seen the best from these guys ...

2013-14 Roster (12 Scholarship Players)

Seniors (3 Scholarship Players)
Amath M’Baye .. 6-9, 208, F ... Paris France / Semi Valley, CA / Wyoming
Cameron Clark .. 6-6, 208, G/F ... Sherman, TX (Sherman HS)
Tyler Neal .. 6-7, 229, F ... Oklahoma City (Putnam City West HS)

Juniors (2)
D.J. Bennett .. 6-8, 210, F ... Orland Park, Illinois / Indian Hills CC, Iowa
Keshaun Hamilton .. 6-10, 270, F ... Palatka, FL / Labette (Kan.) CC

Sophomores (4)
Ryan Spangler .. 6-8, 227, F ... Bridge Creek, OK / Gonzaga
Buddy Hield .. 6-3, 199, G ... Wichita, KS (Sunrise Christian Academy) / Bahamas
Jelon Hornbeak .. 6-3, 180, G ... Arlington, TX (Grace Preparatory Academy)
Isaiah Cousins .. 6-3, 182, G ... Mount Vernon, NY

Freshmen (3)
Jordan Woodard ... 6-0, 170, PG ... Edmond, OK (Memorial HS)
Frank Booker ... 6’4, 185, SG ... Augusta, Georgia**
C.J. Cole ... 6-6, 225, F ... Sperry, OK

** Commitment pending.

*****************

Backcourt
Cameron Clark ... 6-6, 208, G/F, Senior
Buddy Hield ... 6-3, 199, G, Sophomore
Jelon Hornbeak ... 6-3, 180, G, Sophomore
Isaiah Cousins ... 6-3, 182, G, Sophomore
Jordan Woodard ... 6-0, 170, PG, Freshman
Frank Booker ... 6’4, 185, SG, Freshman

Frontcourt
Amath M’Baye ... 6-9, 208, F, Senior
Tyler Neal ... 6-7, 229, F, Senior
D.J. Bennett ... 6-8, 210, F, Junior
Keshaun Hamilton ... 6-10, 270, F, Junior
Ryan Spangler ... 6-8, 227, F, Sophomore
C.J. Cole ... 6-6, 225, F, Freshman

 

[Cleavon Little]

Amath, Clark 2.0, Buddy, Spangler, Hornbeak all older and improved with the addition of Woodard and hopefully Booker? The potential is there to be pretty darn good.

 

[opsooner]

Here are a few things I have taken from my experience in Kansas City:

...

2) The other programs and fans don't see our situation the way we see it. I talked to fans from all of the schools this week. Every person I talked to had great things to say about our program, our coach and the way our players acted and held themselves. The entire conference is watching what we do and respecting the way we do it

.........

:woot

What do you mean by this? How do you think we see it? I think most (close to all) OU fans see it this way. Just because fans get upset about some losses does not mean they don't see the improvement. Additionally, other fans might not see us the same way if we were winning more. Opposing fans start to hate more when you are more successful.

 

[AdaSooner]

Here are a few things I have taken from my experience in Kansas City:

1) I'm sad that OU basketball has dwindled in stature. It's obvious that our fan base took the downturn in the Capel era, proceeded by the end of the Sampson era hard. I'm hopeful that in the coming years, things will get better as Coach Kruger restores a once proud program and fanbase.

2) The other programs and fans don't see our situation the way we see it. I talked to fans from all of the schools this week. Every person I talked to had great things to say about our program, our coach and the way our players acted and held themselves. The entire conference is watching what we do and respecting the way we do it.

3) I'm extremely excited about what is ahead for this program. Next year is likely a slight step back before we continue to move this thing in the right direction. I'm confident that as Lon continues to re-build this program, the fans will buy back in and the program will eventually have the kind of support it deserves.

4) As the only person (that I saw) in OU gear at the tournament last night, I'll proudly say that I continue to love and support OU basketball. We had a rough period for the last few years, but every long-term relationship does, right? Boomer Sooner and welcome back to life OU basketball!

:woot

:clap :clap

Outstanding post, IndySooner! I share your enthusiasm and your positive outlook for our program's future.

 

[61sooner]

Hopefully Skeeter's son gets his act together and lands at OU next year.
Would like to see a really good center to disrupt things in the middle, block shots, get rebounds, intimidate the drivers to the hoop. It's been years save or perhaps Blake(was he a true center or a power forward) since there was anything menacing in the post at OU.

 

[KBaden145]

D.J. Bennett ... 6-8, 210, F, Junior
Keshaun Hamilton ... 6-10, 270, F, Junior

The 210 for Bennett should go up and the 270 for Hamilton should go down after some time with Yoyo.

 

[sdcloud9]

Great post Indy.

It's true that fans close to the program are often too critical while fans from other schools see things more clearly and objectively.

 

[soonervegas]

OU was a pretty consistent contender the 1st 7 years of the Big 12 tournament - I can't remember the last time we even made the semis.

 

[152219]

I haven't lived in Oklahoma since I graduated in 1999 but looking at Facebook posting 99.9% of my friends, OU and OSU alums and fans, seem to care only about the Thunder. Both sets still post about CFB for both schools but nary a peep about CBB. Is that the case with everyone else or are my friends and my wife's family outliers?

 

[Big Old Booger]

I haven't lived in Oklahoma since I graduated in 1999 but looking at Facebook posting 99.9% of my friends, OU and OSU alums and fans, seem to care only about the Thunder. Both sets still post about CFB for both schools but nary a peep about CBB. Is that the case with everyone else or are my friends and my wife's family outliers?

Same here. All of my friends in OK post 99% about the thunder and very little about OU basketball. My brother-in-law used to be a huge OU basketball fan but the losing seasons combined with the Thunders arrival pushed him to be a thunder fan and hardly follow OU basketball. This season, however, he bought tickets to both the KSU and KU games and after the KU win he's back in the fold. The tourney appearance will help especially if we can win some games.