Biggest improvement we need to make next year?
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schoonerdriver
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I am looking for our D to improve. If there is one thing I learned from Kelvin's days, a good defense can overcome a below average offense. We nearly won a Big 12 Tournament having Nolan Johnson go 1v1.
I like Hornbeak's stroke. He gets square to the basket, hardly ever off balance, and fairly consistent. I am thinking he will be our best perimeter shooter next year.
I like Hornbeak's stroke. He gets square to the basket, hardly ever off balance, and fairly consistent. I am thinking he will be our best perimeter shooter next year.
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WTSooner
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Agreed.
But he needs to show the ability to hit different kinds of shots. Off the dribble. Off a screen. Rising up over somebody. This is D1 ball. He got a lot of open shots this year b/c of Osby and Pledger. Next year, those shots may not be as open. Can Hornbeak make that jump? I think so, but until I see it, I will remain a little skeptical. I always thought Crocker and Cam would improve more than they ever did as well. Sometimes you see a kid's ceiling during his freshman/sophmore years. Not everybody gets exponentially better. I think Hornbeak can, but we need to see it.
BigTime
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Agreed on Hornbeak. I think he will shoot a good percentage from deep during his next 3 years. Booker and Woodard have good looking strokes as well.
Tundrasooner
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Better perimeter play on both ends. Defense on the guards need to be better and guards have got to be able to knock down shots and be able to get to the hole.
Better defense is probably the right theme. One thing that I have noticed about Kruger is that from the start, he is often asking players to do things that they are simply not capable of doing. It is most obvious on the defensive end.
Some of the players needed for some other skill set simply lacked the 1st step quickness or lateral speed to get to the spot on the floor that their assignment dictated. Others like Cam have all the tools to defend. But, he will mental bust way too many times.
None of the players coming back have yet or are they likely to demonstrate the ability to shoot like Pledger. So, their ability to defend will likely be an area Kruger won't need to compromise next season. More athletic personnel and emphasis will probably resolve the shortcoming.
Some of the players needed for some other skill set simply lacked the 1st step quickness or lateral speed to get to the spot on the floor that their assignment dictated. Others like Cam have all the tools to defend. But, he will mental bust way too many times.
None of the players coming back have yet or are they likely to demonstrate the ability to shoot like Pledger. So, their ability to defend will likely be an area Kruger won't need to compromise next season. More athletic personnel and emphasis will probably resolve the shortcoming.
pnkranger
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We shot 76% from the free throw line -- one of the best marks in the big 12 -- and set an NCAA record for consecutive free throws in a single game (34 of 34).
yes, inside play doesn't concern me but guard play sure does. If most of the returners make improvements to their games and the freshmen make nice contributions they will be good but that is a young backcourt.
DenverSooner
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If I recall correctly Playmaker said he thought he was the best on ball defender he saw in high school and believed he was going to be a good college defender. I think Sam had some nice things to say about his defense too.
Chiefdaddy
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3 point shooting! We need guards that can consistently knock down 3's. Defense has improved under Kruger. If your guards are knocking down 3's, inside scoring opens up and everyone plays harder on D when you are scoring.
SoonerTraveler
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Offensive confidence/aggressiveness from the guards.
No members of the freshman class were aggressive trying to score the ball. This must change when they become sophomores. Obviously, they all need to work very hard to gain confidence in their scoring abilities. But I was often frustrated when the freshmen would turn down wide open shot opportunities. Even late in the season, they would often receive passes at open spots on the floor and not be prepared to shoot in rhythm after catching the pass.
There is also potential in all of the freshmen to dribble-penetrate and finish. The departing senior guards were quite limited in this area.
***
I am not really worried about the perimeter defense in the coming years. I believe Je’lon, Isaiah and Buddy have what it takes to develop into very good defenders. They have good size, athletic ability, basketball savvy, desire, and they are coachable. They all gained a great deal of game experience as freshmen. Good things are going to happen with guard play under the teaching of coaches Kruger, Henson and Hill. All are experienced coaches and all were very good point guards in college. They were all winning players in college.
PG Lon Kruger .. Big-8 Player of the Year, 1973 & 1974 .. played on two BIG-8 championship teams that made the NCAA Elite-8, 1972 &1973 .. His jersey number is hanging from the rafters at KSU.
PG Steve Henson .. Four year starting PG at KSU, 1987, 88, 89, 90 .. All-Big-8 first team and honorable mention All-American as junior and senior .. only player in school history to play in four consecutive NCAA tournaments, including one Elite-8.
PG Lew Hill .. All-American JUCO PG at San Jacinto Junior College on team that won national championship .. All-Missouri Valley Conference honors as a senior and played in NCAA Tournament at Wichita State in 1988.
I believe these men have the knowledge, experience and coaching ability to develop good guards. In addition to the 3 soon-to-be sophomores, more young coachable guards are on the way to Norman. If we, as fans, can have a bit of reasonable patience, then good things will be coming our way.
***
And let's not forget Coach Chris Crutchfield. He is in his 40s and brings a lot of good coaching experience to OU. Then add the contributions from Mike Shepherd (director of basketball operations), Jozsef Szendrei (strength and conditioning), and others. Based on what I have seen, I think the young players at OU are going to get some very good coaching. The players will have the opportunity to get much better. The players now on the team seem to have the potential and desire to get much better.
I am not sure that everything will fall into place for the 2013-14 season, but watch out after that!
No members of the freshman class were aggressive trying to score the ball. This must change when they become sophomores. Obviously, they all need to work very hard to gain confidence in their scoring abilities. But I was often frustrated when the freshmen would turn down wide open shot opportunities. Even late in the season, they would often receive passes at open spots on the floor and not be prepared to shoot in rhythm after catching the pass.
There is also potential in all of the freshmen to dribble-penetrate and finish. The departing senior guards were quite limited in this area.
***
I am not really worried about the perimeter defense in the coming years. I believe Je’lon, Isaiah and Buddy have what it takes to develop into very good defenders. They have good size, athletic ability, basketball savvy, desire, and they are coachable. They all gained a great deal of game experience as freshmen. Good things are going to happen with guard play under the teaching of coaches Kruger, Henson and Hill. All are experienced coaches and all were very good point guards in college. They were all winning players in college.
PG Lon Kruger .. Big-8 Player of the Year, 1973 & 1974 .. played on two BIG-8 championship teams that made the NCAA Elite-8, 1972 &1973 .. His jersey number is hanging from the rafters at KSU.
PG Steve Henson .. Four year starting PG at KSU, 1987, 88, 89, 90 .. All-Big-8 first team and honorable mention All-American as junior and senior .. only player in school history to play in four consecutive NCAA tournaments, including one Elite-8.
PG Lew Hill .. All-American JUCO PG at San Jacinto Junior College on team that won national championship .. All-Missouri Valley Conference honors as a senior and played in NCAA Tournament at Wichita State in 1988.
I believe these men have the knowledge, experience and coaching ability to develop good guards. In addition to the 3 soon-to-be sophomores, more young coachable guards are on the way to Norman. If we, as fans, can have a bit of reasonable patience, then good things will be coming our way.
***
And let's not forget Coach Chris Crutchfield. He is in his 40s and brings a lot of good coaching experience to OU. Then add the contributions from Mike Shepherd (director of basketball operations), Jozsef Szendrei (strength and conditioning), and others. Based on what I have seen, I think the young players at OU are going to get some very good coaching. The players will have the opportunity to get much better. The players now on the team seem to have the potential and desire to get much better.
I am not sure that everything will fall into place for the 2013-14 season, but watch out after that!
cosmic_sooner
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Yea, I think everyone has touched on each area. But overall, I think we simply need some shot-makers. You've got to put the ball into the basket. As elementary as it sounds.
I feel we have some guys who are peripherally good or depth-good, but they're not gamers. Playing SDSU was actually eye-opening, in a way. While I wasn't overly impressed with them or think they're a greta squad, it still showed what we simply do not have. They had a few extra guys with some pep in their step and who can knock-down a shot.
I feel we have some guys who are peripherally good or depth-good, but they're not gamers. Playing SDSU was actually eye-opening, in a way. While I wasn't overly impressed with them or think they're a greta squad, it still showed what we simply do not have. They had a few extra guys with some pep in their step and who can knock-down a shot.
Shooters!!!!!!
Nolan Johnson would be the best wing scorer OU has had in a long time. Maybe since Kelvin left. Nolan was a beast! I don't see a Nolan Johnson on this roster.
I hear billy saying I hate coaching kids that can't shoot and kelvin saying shooting is not an equal opportunity activity.
You have to make shots to win
Nolan Johnson would be the best wing scorer OU has had in a long time. Maybe since Kelvin left. Nolan was a beast! I don't see a Nolan Johnson on this roster.
I hear billy saying I hate coaching kids that can't shoot and kelvin saying shooting is not an equal opportunity activity.
You have to make shots to win
