Austin Grandstaff to DePaul, not OU

[tmeyer3307]

Woodard is a top guard in the league and doesn't get enough credit... so I have plenty of confidence in his game and would say he was much better than Spangler most of the year! Maybe even Cousins.. James will get his 10-15 a game next season and be our best or second best option. I think he showed plenty the last month of the season.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm sorry but James was behind Walker the majority of the year and he only averaged 1.7 ppg. He's proven nothing. I don't care if he had a couple of good games. Grandstaff would have played over Walker last year as a freshman from the beginning.

As for Woodard, he's been able to be the 4th wheel on the team behind Hield, Cousins, and Spangler. He's about to be the main guy with the main defender guarding him. He's no longer going get to open 3's like he has been getting.

True, James was behind Walker for much of the season. But all of that changed in the latter part of the season and in the post season when James was clearly the best option. To be honest, I thought he should have been getting more minutes than Walker early on, and I wasn't alone in those thoughts.

You and ouhoops918 are selling a sophomore to be short in what he could bring to the team next season. I, for one, will be shocked if he doesn't start from the opening tap. Wanna make a wager on that prediction?

To set the record straight on his stats for the season, he averaged 2.9 ppg, not 1.7 ppg. He also shot 50% from three point range and 77% from the free throw line. As a comparison, Walker played more minutes but only averaged 3.3 ppg, while shooting 35% from three and 45% from the free throw line. That's not meant as a knock on Dinijyl, it's to show how shortsighted you guys are in predicting what James will mean to the team next season.

If you care to check Christian's stats in the late season games and in the playoffs where he played more minutes, you'll find that he was pretty darned good for a freshman who was coming off of a severe injury that kept him on the bench for roughly 98% of his senior season in high school. If he stays healthy, Christian James is going to be really good before he's through. Mark that down and play it back to me if I'm wrong.

 

[chuckb]

James ended last season playing more regular minutes than Walker and played extremely well. He gave every reason to believe he'll continue to improve and be a solid player for the team going forward. I see no reason that won't happen.

 

[DenverSooner]

Disagree on James. Thought he showed out well in big moments at the end of the season and fully expect him to be a really nice player on both ends this year.

Me too. I thought he had a very nice freshman season on a team loaded with talent.

 

[DenverSooner]

I'm sorry but James was behind Walker the majority of the year and he only averaged 1.7 ppg. He's proven nothing. I don't care if he had a couple of good games. Grandstaff would have played over Walker last year as a freshman from the beginning.

As for Woodard, he's been able to be the 4th wheel on the team behind Hield, Cousins, and Spangler. He's about to be the main guy with the main defender guarding him. He's no longer going get to open 3's like he has been getting.

This sure seems negative. I thought James had a nice true freshman season after sitting out his senior year of high school. He actually averaged 2.9 points per game. He shot 50% from behind the line and averaged 4.8 points in the NCAA Tournament. So at a time when a young guy could have melted to the pressure, he stepped up in a pretty big way. I am quite excited to watch James develop. He got to spend a year with Hield and Cousins. I suspect their work ethic impacted him.

I agree that Woodard is about to face teams that are more focused on him but it is not like people were not guarding him or like he will not have some really good three point shooters on the court with him. As noted above James shot 50% from behind on the arc. Lots of others on the team will be able to hit the 3 pointers.

I choose to be optimistic about the team, returning players and new players. I don't expect a repeat final four but I think OU will have a solid team.

 

[skyvue]

This sure seems negative.

bgrch1350 being negative! Never would have expected that.

 

[Larry72]

Responding to the latest posts:
James is going to be a key player this year. He improved throughout the year and was much better than Walker. He played good D Rebounded and scored. He even started getting some steals in the last few games. He will really blossom after last years experience. I think he will be all Big 12 his Jr year.

Woodard is the only Sr. Lon has gotten great production from Srs. Osby, Cam Clark, etc. I expect Jordan to have his best year and he made a lot of improvement last yr.

If Buford, Odomes, and McNease improve we will be good. If Freeman, McGusty, and Doolittle contribute substantially, we could be very good.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Responding to the latest posts:
James is going to be a key player this year. He improved throughout the year and was much better than Walker. He played good D Rebounded and scored. He even started getting some steals in the last few games. He will really blossom after last years experience. I think he will be all Big 12 his Jr year.

Woodard is the only Sr. Lon has gotten great production from Srs. Osby, Cam Clark, etc. I expect Jordan to have his best year and he made a lot of improvement last yr.

If Buford, Odomes, and McNease improve we will be good. If Freeman, McGusty, and Doolittle contribute substantially, we could be very good.

Agree. Good thoughtful assessment.

Besides his other good attributes as a basketball player, Christian James is a physical player. For a sophomore-to-be, he is strong, stout, sturdy, tough, and tenacious. Based on early reviews, Doolittle also shares some of these attributes.

 

[SilliSooner]

Just from observing film, Grandstaff is a good player but not light years or even minutes above J. Shepard. Grandstaff doesn't have the liftoff that Shepard posses and doesn't seem comfortable using his off hand. And as touted as Grandstaff was as an accurate three point shooter his percentages weren't better than Shepard's.

 

[WTSooner]

Just from observing film, Grandstaff is a good player but not light years or even minutes above J. Shepard. Grandstaff doesn't have the liftoff that Shepard posses and doesn't seem comfortable using his off hand. And as touted as Grandstaff was as an accurate three point shooter his percentages weren't better than Shepard's.

I can't imagine a single D1 coach agrees with your assessment.

 

[Stikboy]

Just from observing film, Grandstaff is a good player but not light years or even minutes above J. Shepard. Grandstaff doesn't have the liftoff that Shepard posses and doesn't seem comfortable using his off hand. And as touted as Grandstaff was as an accurate three point shooter his percentages weren't better than Shepard's.

Agree. I've been trying to figure out why Shepherd didn't have more major offers. Maybe it was his small school, competition, and his frame. Grandstaff is taller and has a better stroke but Shepherd is much more athletic, shows better passing and handles. Shepherd can shoot too. He is very slight of build, and needs to add some weight. Really though they're two different players so hard to compare. From the vids I saw, Shepherd loves to pass and Grandstaff loves to shoot.

When I first heard about Kruger signing this guy(Shepherd) I was perplexed, as many were. But after watching his film he looks pretty good. If he matures physically and has confidence looks like the sky might be the limit.

 

[scrybe]

Agree. I've been trying to figure out why Shepherd didn't have more major offers. Maybe it was his small school, competition, and his frame. Grandstaff is taller and has a better stroke but Shepherd is much more athletic, shows better passing and handles. Shepherd can shoot too. He is very slight of build, and needs to add some weight. Really though they're two different players so hard to compare. From the vids I saw, Shepherd loves to pass and Grandstaff loves to shoot.

When I first heard about Kruger signing this guy(Shepherd) I was perplexed, as many were. But after watching his film he looks pretty good. If he matures physically and has confidence looks like the sky might be the limit.

I can think of one poster who can't imagine a single D1 coach agrees with your assessment. :ez-laugh:

Seriously though, since Kruger signed Shepherd, I'll be surprised if the kid doesn't have significant skills.

 

[AdaSooner]

Just from observing film, Grandstaff is a good player but not light years or even minutes above J. Shepard. Grandstaff doesn't have the liftoff that Shepard posses and doesn't seem comfortable using his off hand. And as touted as Grandstaff was as an accurate three point shooter his percentages weren't better than Shepard's.

Agreed. Thoughts about Grandstaff aside, I think Shepherd may surprise a few people. I like what I have seen of him on video.

 

[dsuits]

Shepard's game and frame is reminiscent to me of a former Sooner :austin686_jpg_xs:. Possibly and hopefully an upgraded Johnson 2.0 version. Loved AJ btw. Shepard, (from his highlights) is a long armed Combo athlete that looks like he has a good feel or flow for the game. One of the most underrated attributes IMO and one of the hardest to teach to young kids. Can't wait to see him develop under the tutelage of Kruger and staff.

Shepard seems like a good kid that slide through some cracks for whatever reason which I kinda like. If he applies himself, maybe even comes in with something to prove kinda attitude (ala Cousins) he will have a great support staff to possibly blossom into a key player for the good guys. At the very least a good teammate, student and locker room guy thats willing to help represent the team and University in whatever way he can.

Also like that he's from North Carolina. Memory is slipping but any other guys you all can remember coming to OU from Carolina? Sure I'm missing someone. I know Shepard's school wasn't a powerhouse program but never hurts getting a guy from a different location that does pretty well turning out players. Lincoln Riley seems to be hitting the East Coast more and more for football players. May not develop into much but never hurts for building inroads.

On another note; just one of many things that I love about Kruger is he defines roles for his players. Master that role and it expands. Play within yourself and good things happen for yourself and the team. How many minutes or points per game isn't really that telling for me in defining a young guy early on with a lot of proven and unproven talent already on the team. If he contributes in a positive way early, it's gravy for the team and his development. If he needs a redshirt, I'm not willing to write him off as a failed experiment. People develop differently to situations but put them into a proven systems and you might be surprised how they will react. Ultimately he has been given a opportunity to succeed and I'm willing to give him the benefit of figuring it out.

Wish it would have worked out for Grandstaff and hope he gets on track and succeeds in life and the game he's been given the opportunity to play. The talent is there but at the end of the day though he made his bed and now has to sleep in it. How he learns from it will go a long way in his life. People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan. I've been a young guy before and have learned more through failure than my limited success so here's to him figuring it out and writing a different ending to his story.

Ultimately, I can't wait to see the new staff and this team gel and build upon a foundation that a lot of other programs wish they had. We have the leadership and the resources to find a different path to success. Win loss wise will it look like last year? Probably not, but I like an underdog that has tasted success and in some cases the journey is the best part. Here's to all the dreamers out there in the midst of the long hot summer lure that can almost taste it and to those that want to deal more in reality I feel you too. Subjectivity is what makes life interesting and there's enough shots to go around.

 

[Larry72]

Can we get a practice report on Shepard and the other new players?

 

[AdaSooner]

Shepard's game and frame is reminiscent to me of a former Sooner :austin686_jpg_xs:. Possibly and hopefully an upgraded Johnson 2.0 version. Loved AJ btw. Shepard, (from his highlights) is a long armed Combo athlete that looks like he has a good feel or flow for the game. One of the most underrated attributes IMO and one of the hardest to teach to young kids. Can't wait to see him develop under the tutelage of Kruger and staff.

Shepard seems like a good kid that slide through some cracks for whatever reason which I kinda like. If he applies himself, maybe even comes in with something to prove kinda attitude (ala Cousins) he will have a great support staff to possibly blossom into a key player for the good guys. At the very least a good teammate, student and locker room guy thats willing to help represent the team and University in whatever way he can.

Also like that he's from North Carolina. Memory is slipping but any other guys you all can remember coming to OU from Carolina? Sure I'm missing someone. I know Shepard's school wasn't a powerhouse program but never hurts getting a guy from a different location that does pretty well turning out players. Lincoln Riley seems to be hitting the East Coast more and more for football players. May not develop into much but never hurts for building inroads.

On another note; just one of many things that I love about Kruger is he defines roles for his players. Master that role and it expands. Play within yourself and good things happen for yourself and the team. How many minutes or points per game isn't really that telling for me in defining a young guy early on with a lot of proven and unproven talent already on the team. If he contributes in a positive way early, it's gravy for the team and his development. If he needs a redshirt, I'm not willing to write him off as a failed experiment. People develop differently to situations but put them into a proven systems and you might be surprised how they will react. Ultimately he has been given a opportunity to succeed and I'm willing to give him the benefit of figuring it out.

Wish it would have worked out for Grandstaff and hope he gets on track and succeeds in life and the game he's been given the opportunity to play. The talent is there but at the end of the day though he made his bed and now has to sleep in it. How he learns from it will go a long way in his life. People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan. I've been a young guy before and have learned more through failure than my limited success so here's to him figuring it out and writing a different ending to his story.

Ultimately, I can't wait to see the new staff and this team gel and build upon a foundation that a lot of other programs wish they had. We have the leadership and the resources to find a different path to success. Win loss wise will it look like last year? Probably not, but I like an underdog that has tasted success and in some cases the journey is the best part. Here's to all the dreamers out there in the midst of the long hot summer lure that can almost taste it and to those that want to deal more in reality I feel you too. Subjectivity is what makes life interesting and there's enough shots to go around.

Heck of a nice post, dsuits! Not much there I disagree with. Can you explain why someone with your ability to add to our discussions has only contributed six posts to this board since you joined in November, 2008? That's one month after this board was launched, by the way. I hope you will not make us wait so long for your next post!

To answer your question about OU recruits from North Carolina, J. R. Raymond and Alex Spaulding come immediately to mind. I'm sure there have been others I just can't think of right now.

I like your Shepherd comparison. Austin Johnson was and still is one of all-time favorite players. He's not as fundamentally sound or as smooth as A. J., but there are definitely some similarities. If Shepherd is fortunate enough to stay healthy, something Austin wasn't able to do for much of his career, and he is anything like the guy you're comparing him to, I will look forward to watching him play the next four years.

 

[SilliSooner]

I can't imagine a single D1 coach agrees with your assessment.

I don't lack confidence in my assessments, putting more value on film observation than rating firms.

As far as one specific comparison between the two players - three point shooting accuracy, Shepherd impresses me over Grandstaff. Grandstaff is a nice ball handler and has a good step back but looked like he gets less than 20" off the ground and only hit 1/3 of his three point shots. That's what he shot - 33%- at Ohio State and what he shot throughout Highschool.

Yes, Shephard played at a smaller school but I like his jump shot better. When the soles of your shoes are at mid-thigh range of your opponent on your jump shot - a la Russell Westbrook - it doesn't matter how small a school you play at, you can get your shot off on anyone. Plus, Shepherd was hitting these shots at 40-45%. If Shepherd develops some strength, with his form, athleticism and LK's coaching, he could be a good college outside shooter.

 

[Larry72]

I don't lack confidence in my assessments, putting more value on film observation than rating firms.

As far as one specific comparison between the two players - three point shooting accuracy, Shepherd impresses me over Grandstaff. Grandstaff is a nice ball handler and has a good step back but looked like he gets less than 20" off the ground and only hit 1/3 of his three point shots. That's what he shot - 33%- at Ohio State and what he shot throughout Highschool.

Yes, Shephard played at a smaller school but I like his jump shot better. When the soles of your shoes are at mid-thigh range of your opponent on your jump shot - a la Russell Westbrook - it doesn't matter how small a school you play at, you can get your shot off on anyone. Plus, Shepherd was hitting these shots at 40-45%. If Shepherd develops some strength, with his form, athleticism and LK's coaching, he could be a good college outside shooter.

I watched 3 or 4 videos of Shepard and I agree with your analysis. I hope someone will attend a practice and gives us a new details.

 

[TheGimper]

I don't lack confidence in my assessments, putting more value on film observation than rating firms.

As far as one specific comparison between the two players - three point shooting accuracy, Shepherd impresses me over Grandstaff. Grandstaff is a nice ball handler and has a good step back but looked like he gets less than 20" off the ground and only hit 1/3 of his three point shots. That's what he shot - 33%- at Ohio State and what he shot throughout Highschool.

Yes, Shephard played at a smaller school but I like his jump shot better. When the soles of your shoes are at mid-thigh range of your opponent on your jump shot - a la Russell Westbrook - it doesn't matter how small a school you play at, you can get your shot off on anyone. Plus, Shepherd was hitting these shots at 40-45%. If Shepherd develops some strength, with his form, athleticism and LK's coaching, he could be a good college outside shooter.

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with your analysis, but Westbrook is a horrible comparison to make to bolster your argument. The guy is the 5th worst 3 point shooter of all time in the NBA, statistically.

 

[SilliSooner]

I don't necessarily agree or disagree with your analysis, but Westbrook is a horrible comparison to make to bolster your argument. The guy is the 5th worst 3 point shooter of all time in the NBA, statistically.

Shepherd, throughout Highschool had good three point numbers but I'm talking about jump shooting form in general when I mentioned Westbrook. Westbrook's midrange jump shots are competitive and drop at a high percentage in the mid-range. His three point shooting percentages are not good but he is often forced or elects to take shots as the clock is running out.

As far as the comparison all I was saying is that Shepherd similarly gets off the ground with good form on his jump shot which I think justifies my contention that he should be able to get off his shot against most defenders.