Block Party at the LNC

[dsuits]

Wanted some opinions on how you guys think this team will do in regards to shot blocking? My memories only go back to the Stacy King days so I could be lapsing on earlier teams. Longar, Taj Gray, Jabari Brown and Lattin all centered their games around rejections but I think this team has the potential to be one of the more disruptive groups in my recent memory.

Kuath, Izanssa, Iwaukor and Merritt all have reputations as swat rockets. You could throw in Manek, Doo, Bieniemy, Garang and Williams to get you a block ever so often as well.

Last season we totaled 102 blocks in 34 games. Averaged out to 3 blocks a game which tied us for 212th in the nation. Losing Jamuni definitely hurt us in this regard. But even if Doo and Manek start at the 5 and 4 for the season, I would still take the over on this team being improved. Just something to watch for this season and maybe more so for the year after.

By comparison, Duke led the country with 257 blocks for 6.8 a game. Tech was the leading BIG12 school with an averaged of 4.9, Baylor 4.6, ISU with 4.5 and TCU at 4.4 a game. I think its possible to reach this level of consistency in a year or two. Any thoughts?

 

[cvangild]

Heck, Stacey King had over 100 blocks himself in the '88 season! His timing was great!

 

[BCSooners]

Won’t be a good shot blocking team, must force low fg% & defensive rebound well.

 

[sperry]

Manek isn't a terrible shotblocker. He's tall, long and athletic for his size. Bienemy should end up being a good shotblocking guard.


But honestly it just depends on how much Kuath and Issanza play. Those are the guys with real shotblocking potential on this roster.

 

[thebigabd]

The problem with this stat is that OU's starters are not shot blockers... Doolittle is legitimately 6'5'' and Manek isn't a shot blocker.. I mean, Doo has blocked like 20 shots in in 3 years. Its just not his thing... Manek has blocked 45 shots in 2 years. I would expect him to block 20-25 shots again like he did last year.

Kur, Victor, Merritt, and Ricky are notable shot blockers but they won't be playing a majority of the minutes. But they have the size and athletic ability to do it.

Kur blocked 114 shots in junior college, good for #4 in the country... Victor flys around, and so does Merritt. Ricky is 7'1'' so you know he can likely block/alter some shots.

 

[AdaSooner]

Don’t forget about this guy:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u4QODhJbhd8

To answer your question, this team has the potential to be really good at protecting the rim in time. Iwuakor, Kauth, Issanza, Merritt and Garang all have the reputation for being good shot blockers. Not saying it will happen next season. But I think we may see a “block party” at the LNC before this group of bigs leaves OU. I also think Victor Iwuakor will lead the team in blocks when he breaks into the starting lineup, and he just might do it coming off of the bench.

 

[BoulderSooner]

The problem with this stat is that OU's starters are not shot blockers... Doolittle is legitimately 6'5'' and Manek isn't a shot blocker.. I mean, Doo has blocked like 20 shots in in 3 years. Its just not his thing... Manek has blocked 45 shots in 2 years. I would expect him to block 20-25 shots again like he did last year.

Kur, Victor, Merritt, and Ricky are notable shot blockers but they won't be playing a majority of the minutes. But they have the size and athletic ability to do it.

Kur blocked 114 shots in junior college, good for #4 in the country... Victor flys around, and so does Merritt. Ricky is 7'1'' so you know he can likely block/alter some shots.

doolitte is "legitimately" taller than 6'5

 

[WichitaSooner]

doolitte is "legitimately" taller than 6'5

No question about that. He's not tall for his position but is easily north of 6'5".

 

[vbdad]

Victor is going to block a bunch of shots! Kauth will probably block several and certainly alter many more.
I went to practice Monday. Going to start a thread on it. Victor will be talked about in it.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Victor is going to block a bunch of shots! Kauth will probably block several and certainly alter many more.
I went to practice Monday. Going to start a thread on it. Victor will be talked about in it.

thanks vbdad