Are the big guys coming in expected to play?

[soonerhoops2012]

And really contribute next season? This live and die by the three stuff is going to unfortunately prevent this team from getting really deep in tournaments. They aren't a great defensive team, but usually make up for it in scoring. But games against tech or the first half against OSU (17 threes), we need a post scoring presence. Should we have that with a guy like Lattin next year? Or will he need a couple years to get bigger?

 

[WTSooner]

None of the big guys coming in are going to be guys we can throw the ball to, in the post, and let them go to work. Not next year.

Edit: They will play. 2 of the 3 will almost certainly play unless we sign somebody else late. But none of them are going to offer post offense like what the OP is talking about. Not as true freshman. It's not Buford's game, and Lattin and McNeace are just both too raw on offense.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Dante Buford … 6-7, 210, PF … Jacksonville, Florida
Khadeem Lattin … 6-9, 210, F … Houston, Texas / Canarius Basketball Academy
Jamuni McNeace … 6-9, 205, C … Allen, Texas

The consensus on this board seems to be that Buford (6'7") will play and contribute as a "young replacement" for Cam Clark. Based on what I have read, most feel that the two recruits listed at 6'9" will need time before they are significant contributors.

However, looking back on last year, you must keep in mind that many on this board thought that Frank Booker would come in as a "project" and offer little help as a true freshman. Obviously, the OU coaching staff knew better.

The best answer to your question is ... We are hopeful, but we don't really know.

 

[AdaSooner]

I think McNeace will redshirt, the other two will contribute at some point of the season. How much and when is anybody's guess.

All three are said to have a huge upside and a chance to be really good someday. But, like most freshman, the adjustment from high school to college can take time. My money is on Lattin and Buford to work their way into our top seven to nine man rotation, and eventually push for a bigger role as the season progresses. They're too talented not to do that. Does that mean one or both will start? My guess is, no, at least not in the first half of the season, and maybe not at any point of that first year.

 

[Darwin]

What would be great is a graduate transfer big man but those are so rare. ISU got lucky with the Kane kid.

 

[garyeb2]

Some seem to be selling Lattin and Buford short. They are quality recruits and both will fall right into the rotation. One of them will start and OU will be a better team for it.

 

[Dr Sleep]

Won't Spangler improve and be an all around stud?

 

[jerry]

Some seem to be selling Lattin and Buford short. They are quality recruits and both will fall right into the rotation. One of them will start and OU will be a better team for it.

Agree that they both will get right into the rotation.

 

[CoachTalk]

Won't Spangler improve and be an all around stud?

He's already an all around stud!!

 

[Chaser728]

And really contribute next season? This live and die by the three stuff is going to unfortunately prevent this team from getting really deep in tournaments. They aren't a great defensive team, but usually make up for it in scoring. But games against tech or the first half against OSU (17 threes), we need a post scoring presence. Should we have that with a guy like Lattin next year? Or will he need a couple years to get bigger?

I hate to burst your bubble, but I think LK's plan with this team is to have them put up a lot of shots like this... I don't think that he intends us to have an offense like KU or UT (that offense being run through the post)... I think he has built this team to run, shoot a lot of shots and out hustle other teams. Think more ISU than the other teams.

With that being said, I think there are two missing elements that the next two years will provide: 1. Jordan Woodard will continue to progress and be better at breaking down defenses in years 2 & 3, which will lead to better percentage shots from the entire team. 2. Our defense will be considerably better in years 2 & 3. Due to the progression of our current players and we will now have some rim protectors in our new guys.

We have in LK & his staff player developers. I mean look at the progression of our guys from year to year. They just flat out know how to get the most out of them and develop their talent. No one thought JW would be this good in his freshman year; and who predicted that Clark, Neal & Cousins would be this much better compared to last year? Therefore, I predict that our new guys will be much better than any of us expect. Just my two cents.

 

[Dr Sleep]

He's already an all around stud!!

i was thinking a 20 and 10 guy and conference player of the year candidate.

 

[Stikboy]

Some seem to be selling Lattin and Buford short. They are quality recruits and both will fall right into the rotation. One of them will start and OU will be a better team for it.

Gary you do realize you will totally be on the hook this summer, to give reports on all 3(maybe 4) of the new guys' progress... Don't try to sneak out of it!

 

[CoachTalk]

i was thinking a 20 and 10 guy and conference player of the year candidate.

Those are really lofty expectations!

 

[AdaSooner]

Some seem to be selling Lattin and Buford short. They are quality recruits and both will fall right into the rotation. One of them will start and OU will be a better team for it.

I think so, too, Gary. I was trying to be more conservative in my predictions for a change.

 

[WTSooner]

My response was in regards to the OP's second sentence. To me, that was asking if they were going to be guys that were going to get to the rim, or guys that we could post up. I don't see any way the answer to that question, next year, is yes. I like them. I like what they will bring. But they aren't coming in equipped with Kevin Bookout post moves. They aren't coming in with Taj Gray seasoning in regards to inside scoring. Buckets they get inside, next year, will likely be no different from the buckets that Clark and Spangler get inside. Sorry, but we'll be an outside dependent team again next year, offensively, most likely.

 

[boutaroust]

Makes no difference to me whether "Mr. Inside" or Mr. Outside" scores the points as long as OU is ahead of the bad guys as the time clock shows 0:00.

Of course it's better to have both options available, and as long as CLK is on the bench, I'm confident the talent will be used effectively, and will contribute to the max of their ability.

Look out Big 12.

 

[DenverSooner]

Some seem to be selling Lattin and Buford short. They are quality recruits and both will fall right into the rotation. One of them will start and OU will be a better team for it.

I agree and Bennett will be a better payer next season

 

[SoonerinNC]

I don't think that Kruger is an outside shooting team guy only. He seems to do what the talent provides. Like with Osby last year who could hit outside but was also effective around the hoop.

 

[usedtobe1]

I don't think that Kruger is an outside shooting team guy only. He seems to do what the talent provides. Like with Osby last year who could hit outside but was also effective around the hoop.

I agree. His personnel has driven Kruger to a perimeter shooting team. I'm sure the coaches would prefer to be more balanced. M'Baye going pro really upset the apple cart. He and Spangler would have given us a much stronger post presence.

 

[Sooner04]

I saw some good things out of Lattin at the Moore tournament, but he will definitely need to bulk up. I really liked his ability to pass out of the post, even though that probably won't be what he's asked to do when he arrives here (meaning that I can't see us making that big an effort to feed him the ball down there).

It was hard to get much of a read on him at that tournament because the competition he faced, at least the two games I saw, was pitiful.