Big 12 Tournament Woes

[Sooner04]

Kruger has done so many wonderful things here at OU, but I'm beyond ready for him to get back to work on the Big 12 Tournament. We owned the thing in its first eight years, but we've been mired in Faceplantville since our last tourney title in 2003.

Don't believe me? Have a look?


1997 - 2003:
Championships: 3
Finals Appearances: 5
Semifinals Appearances: 6
First Game Losses: 1
Record: 15-4


2004 - 2013:
Championships: 0
Finals Appearances: 0
Semifinals Appearances: 2
First Game Losses: 5
Record: 5-10


I don't care who we play Thursday, I just want to beat em. And the next one, and the next one after that. That's what we used to do. Let's get back to it.


In Kruger We Trust!

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Or, put another way ... 15 tournament wins in the first 7 years; then only 5 tournament wins in the most recent 10 years.

With seven Big-12 teams headed to the Big Dance this year, each game in the Big-12 Tournament will be like a NCAA tournament game. If nothing else, the tournament in Kansas City is good practice for what is to come in the NCAA tournament.

Go Sooners!! Finish Strong!!

 

[BoomSoon]

Great point, Traveler. Should be an amazing atmosphere. (Not to be confused with the atmosphere at the LNC for the Tech or WV game. Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

 

[Big Old Booger]

The semifinal appearance in 08 was a 30 point beatdown at the hands of Texas. I'm trying to remember our other semifinal appearance in the last 10 years?

 

[boksooner]

The semifinal appearance in 08 was a 30 point beatdown at the hands of Texas. I'm trying to remember our other semifinal appearance in the last 10 years?

2005. We lost to Tech in the semis as the #1 seed, then went on to lose to Utah in the NCAA tourney as a #3 seed.

 

[pnkranger]

2005. We lost to Tech in the semis as the #1 seed, then went on to lose to Utah in the NCAA tourney as a #3 seed.

That team made me so angry. We had all the tools to go far, but just lacked so much discipline, which was odd for a Sampson team. Everett was fun to watch, but he just slung the ball all over the place and really struggled to shoot it.

 

[BoulderSooner]

he also was 3rd in the nation in asts .. and was a very good player

 

[WTSooner]

I don't get too upset about that Utah loss. They did have the #1 draft pick in the following NBA draft on their team.

 

[WTSooner]

Everett was just too inconsistent. His good was pretty good, but his bad could be pretty bad.

 

[Big Old Booger]

That team made me so angry. We had all the tools to go far, but just lacked so much discipline, which was odd for a Sampson team. Everett was fun to watch, but he just slung the ball all over the place and really struggled to shoot it.

IMO, the larger issue with that team wasn't Everett's limits but the fact by necessity he had to be the PG because the player recruited to be the PG (Lavender) either wasn't good enough or wasn't trusted by Sampson. So, that team had a 6'4" PG who was really a 3 and a 5'7" 2G who was really a PG.

Not to mention we had a walkon playing the 3 (Godbold) and our 5 was undersized for a 5 and even though he had an awesome offensive game, he disappeared down the stretch.

 

[Crimson King]

Major disappearing act by Taj in that game against Utah.

Yep, and twice recently we had the first game flameout against a team we beat handily at home to close out the season (osu and ISU).

 

[WTSooner]

Probably the biggest Big 12 Tournament game loss that I remember was the game to Texas, in Dallas, in 2004. That NIT teams was trying to claw back onto the bubble, and they were close. A win against UT might have been enough to get them there. UT was ranked 11th at the time, and we fought them hard with a depleted roster. If I recall, Gilbert was called for a foul late when he jumped out to hedge on defense, well beyond the 3 point line, and that was kind of our last chance.

 

[Stikboy]

Yep, and twice recently we had the first game flameout against a team we beat handily at home to close out the season (osu and ISU).

I know.. I don't get it. OU recently has stunk in the B12 tourney.. Weird, because we've done well on neutrals lately..

 

[MercedeSooner]

well. we get the participation ribbon again at least.

 

[pnkranger]

I think this comes down to two things:

* Youth. We came ready to play, but because we lack experience we weren't ready to play against a hungry, desperate team.
* Personnel. We just don't have a full squad yet. Spangler can't play against an entire front line of length/strength/athleticism.

This won't happen next year.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I think this comes down to two things:

* Youth. We came ready to play, but because we lack experience we weren't ready to play against a hungry, desperate team.
* Personnel. We just don't have a full squad yet. Spangler can't play against an entire front line of length/strength/athleticism.

This won't happen next year.

I agree. But Lattin needs to put on some weight and hopefully Buford and Bennett can play critical roles to give us 9 players im comfortable with in the game at all times

 

[Max Power]

I agree. But Lattin needs to put on some weight and hopefully Buford and Bennett can play critical roles to give us 9 players im comfortable with in the game at all times

When will they be allowed to join team activities in the summer

 

[WTSooner]

Speaking of tournament woes, for all of you that LOVE having the Big 12 Tournament in KC, and use crowd support and all that, the OU game last night didn't have a very good crowd.

 

[garyeb2]

When will they be allowed to join team activities in the summer

As soon as they enroll for summer school. Early June I think. They all have their school work in good shape and should be ready to go at he earliest possible date.

 

[BoulderSooner]

IMO, the larger issue with that team wasn't Everett's limits but the fact by necessity he had to be the PG because the player recruited to be the PG (Lavender) either wasn't good enough or wasn't trusted by Sampson. So, that team had a 6'4" PG who was really a 3 and a 5'7" 2G who was really a PG.

Not to mention we had a walkon playing the 3 (Godbold) and our 5 was undersized for a 5 and even though he had an awesome offensive game, he disappeared down the stretch.

TE was not a 3 he was a PG .... he was 3rd .. read that third in the NATION in ast..