Asst Coach Search update?

[CoachTalk]

Well 1 top 20 class let's pack it in, no reason to keep recruiting or trying to get a top 15 class. Or top 10

Overreacting.

Not what I meant.

 

[WTSooner]

Asking because I don't know for sure.....is it a top 20 class because we got great players...or because we signed 7? players??

Or a combination of both?

It's a combination, but don't think for one minute that having a class size that big isn't playing a major factor.

247 has us at 24th now (using average of 3 sites I believe). We fall several more spots if you look at average player ranking, and not just accumulated "points." Truth is, with a normal size class, is class is probably somewhere just outside the top 30. Good. Solid. But certainly not great.

 

[mict085]

Of course we can improve. But it sounded like you were bashing.

I wasn’t. No worries

 

[daqman]

Of course we can improve. But it sounded like you were bashing.

Don't be so sensitive. This coaching staff deserves a little bashing. From recruiting to coaching to managing players.
The last 3 years have been well below standards.

 

[thebigabd]

It's a combination, but don't think for one minute that having a class size that big isn't playing a major factor.

247 has us at 24th now (using average of 3 sites I believe). We fall several more spots if you look at average player ranking, and not just accumulated "points." Truth is, with a normal size class, is class is probably somewhere just outside the top 30. Good. Solid. But certainly not great.

If the class only had Harmon, Jalen Miller, and Victor Iwuakor... the 3 highest rated players, where would it rank I wonder?

 

[AdaSooner]

If the class only had Harmon, Jalen Hill, and Victor Iwuakor... the 3 highest rated players, where would it rank I wonder?

fify

 

[WTSooner]

If the class only had Harmon, Jalen Miller, and Victor Iwuakor... the 3 highest rated players, where would it rank I wonder?

I just checked. Not as far of a drop as I thought.

Just taking the top 3 recruits, we'd be tied with KU who is currently 31st.

Taking the top 4 (so including Williams), we'd fall to 27th.

So I think it's fair to say we have a top 25-30ish type class. Still a pretty far cry from the "top 15 class" we were hearing all season.

 

[TulsaWorld]

For your Friday viewing pleasure, I assembled a gallery of our archive photos of Pooh Williams both as a TU player and as the former interim head coach.

Link

 

[AdaSooner]

I just checked. Not as far of a drop as I thought.

Just taking the top 3 recruits, we'd be tied with KU who is currently 31st.

Taking the top 4 (so including Williams), we'd fall to 27th.

So I think it's fair to say we have a top 25-30ish type class. Still a pretty far cry from the "top 15 class" we were hearing all season.

I think it’s also fair to say OU did not sign all of the high-profile recruits we were in on that began (potentially) as a top ten class. If you’ll recall, some of those recruits were eliminated as they committed to other schools or dropped OU from their list. Our coaches did a good job of identifying and getting in on some top notch recruits. They just weren’t able to close the deal on some of them.

That said, I still believe this is a solid recruiting class that could make nonbelievers eat a little crow before they’re through. The pieces are there to surprise some people. Assuming everyone makes it in as expected, I think there will be too much talent on our roster to finish in the bottom half of the conference again.

 

[WTSooner]

I think it’s also fair to say OU did not sign all of the high-profile recruits we were in on that began (potentially) as a top ten class. If you’ll recall, some of those recruits were eliminated as they committed to other schools or dropped OU from their list. Our coaches did a good job of identifying and getting in on some top notch recruits. They just weren’t able to close the deal on some of them.

That said, I still believe this is a solid recruiting class that could make nonbelievers eat a little crow before they’re through. The pieces are there to surprise some people. Assuming everyone makes it in as expected, I think there will be too much talent on our roster to finish in the bottom half of the conference again.

Those guys didn't change our class ranking, b/c they were never committed. For a while, we were hovering around 15th. Not sure where we ended up on Rivals, but that top 15 ranking was only due to committed (and later signed) kids. Never guys we were chasing. But as other schools completed their classes, they jumped us.

Hopefully we have similar classes going forward. LK's problem has been getting a good/solid class, then nothing for the next two classes. That is a poor way to run things, IMO.

 

[AdaSooner]

Those guys didn't change our class ranking, b/c they were never committed. For a while, we were hovering around 15th. Not sure where we ended up on Rivals, but that top 15 ranking was only due to committed (and later signed) kids. Never guys we were chasing. But as other schools completed their classes, they jumped us.

Hopefully we have similar classes going forward. LK's problem has been getting a good/solid class, then nothing for the next two classes. That is a poor way to run things, IMO.

I was responding to this comment to explain why the high expectations we heard
about early on didn’t pan out in the end: Still a pretty far cry from the "top 15 class" we were hearing all season.

I agree that one solid recruiting class followed by a class or two that do not allow us to keep our momentum is not going to get us back to the top again.

I wasn’t shy about expressing my disappointment with some of the recruits our coaches brought in during the previous two seasons. But, I am genuinely pleased with our current class—more so, it seems, than most of the regulars on the board.

 

[skyvue]

I am genuinely pleased with our current class—more so, it seems, than most of the regulars on the board.

I'm with you.

 

[SoonerBred]

Doesn’t matter what SHOULD happen or what any fans think. All he has to do is make the tourney and Joe C will never fire him. He’ll be here as long as he wants to be. That’s where this program is right now. Making the tourney is The goal. Nothing more is expected of OU basketball.

That's right on based on the attendance we get at home games. I don't see a huge fan base demanding more. That's the truth at OU.

 

[sanguinetti]

i think one of the sources of misinformation (or at least overranking) the class was the AD site. PR, ticket sales and general hype is their job to an extent but there was a lot of mention of top 10 class when there wasn't enough to justify it. top 20 maybe, but top 10 was a reach typical to the hyperbole world we are living in today.

that's something i noticed and felt it was *at best* a highly preferential ranking-slash-interpretation of what was actually going on.....so, i took it with a grain of salt.

 

[colston15]

Don't you have to count Reaves in this class or the last one? That would add another 4-star player to the mix.

Also, has Kruger ever signed a Top 10 class anywhere? I'd guess not. That's just not how he operates.

 

[daqman]

Don't you have to count Reaves in this class or the last one? That would add another 4-star player to the mix.

Also, has Kruger ever signed a Top 10 class anywhere? I'd guess not. That's just not how he operates.

Are you suggesting Kruger doesn't recruit highly ranked players that would result in a top 10 class? That he purposely doesn't pursue top talent?

 

[AdaSooner]

Don't you have to count Reaves in this class or the last one? That would add another 4-star player to the mix.

Since his eligibility will begin with this class, I’d say the answer to your question is, Yes.

In all fairness, though, it’s easy to forget Reaves will give us a 6’5” guard with a reputation for being a knock down shooter. I have to remind myself to include him when I’m thinking about probable starters. I’m anxious to see him play!

 

[dsuits]

Since his eligibility will begin with this class, I’d say the answer to your question is, Yes.

In all fairness, though, it’s easy to forget Reaves will give us a 6’5” guard with a reputation for being a knock down shooter. I have to remind myself to include him when I’m thinking about probable starters. I’m anxious to see him play!

Last week Bob Przybylo from Sooner Scoop posted the transcript from the mini media day announcing Kruger's new coaching hires. Kruger was asked about Reaves.

“Very much so. Austin, he’s 20 pounds bigger and stronger. He and coach Daub have gotten to know each other very well, and it’s benefitted Austin for sure. He had a good redshirt year practicing. Very good competitor, good leader on the court, versatile in how he scores and how he involves teammates as well.”

 

[colston15]

Are you suggesting Kruger doesn't recruit highly ranked players that would result in a top 10 class? That he purposely doesn't pursue top talent?

I think he's comfortable taking players he knows will be around for 3-4 years while sprinkling in a Trae Young here and there.