Couple of Kruger/Sports Animal interview notes

[OUHoops]

Here's what I've got. Typing from my phone so sorry for any typos.

-- Wouldn't confirm the Carl Blair transfer report, but said he's "looking into some options".

-- They only have one more scholarship to give in the late period. Obviously, that changes if/when Blair goes.

-- Kruger seemed excited that coaches can now work with players for two hours a week during summer school.

-- M'Baye is versatile -- mid-range game, inside game, can block shots. Brings a passion that other guys will feed off. Very skilled but also has the intangibles.

-- There will be another alumni game/weekend this summer.

-- Pulling for Kansas/Big 12 this weekend but thinks Kentucky will be hard to beat.

There was much more so hopefully the Sports Animal will post a podcast.

 

[WTSooner]

If there is one left right now, that would seem to imply that Henry showing up at any point next year is not an option, right? Unless he walked on, I suppose? Wish somebody would ask LK about him.

 

[Ham]

I heard it too. I think you got most of it.

But there was one more interesting note, I thought:
Was asked by Eschbach (paraphrased) "if Blair leaves, who is your backup point guard"
There was about three or four seconds of notable silence...(the clear impression I got was that Lon was thinking to himself how to answer) then he said something like "well, I can only talk about guys we've signed".

Which, to me, meant his answer could very well have been "well, Al, we just got him commited today but I can't talk about him". But he then went on to talk about Hornbeak. Of course, both of them will get a shot and the best will play, but my impression is that they think Cousins can fill that role.

 

[Capel's Mustache]

I heard it too. I think you got most of it.

But there was one more interesting note, I thought:
Was asked by Eschbach (paraphrased) "if Blair leaves, who is your backup point guard"
There was about three or four seconds of notable silence...(the clear impression I got was that Lon was thinking to himself how to answer) then he said something like "well, I can only talk about guys we've signed".

Which, to me, meant his answer could very well have been "well, Al, we just got him commited today but I can't talk about him". But he then went on to talk about Hornbeak. Of course, both of them will get a shot and the best will play, but my impression is that they think Cousins can fill that role.

Heard it and thought the exact same thing

 

[BoulderSooner]

If there is one left right now, that would seem to imply that Henry showing up at any point next year is not an option, right? Unless he walked on, I suppose? Wish somebody would ask LK about him.

if there is only 1 left it would imply that Henry IS showing up on ship sometimes next season

 

[OUHoops]

I heard it too. I think you got most of it.

But there was one more interesting note, I thought:
Was asked by Eschbach (paraphrased) "if Blair leaves, who is your backup point guard"
There was about three or four seconds of notable silence...(the clear impression I got was that Lon was thinking to himself how to answer) then he said something like "well, I can only talk about guys we've signed".

Which, to me, meant his answer could very well have been "well, Al, we just got him commited today but I can't talk about him". But he then went on to talk about Hornbeak. Of course, both of them will get a shot and the best will play, but my impression is that they think Cousins can fill that role.

Good call. Forgot to post that note. You're description of Kruger's answer is perfect.

 

[campbest]

-- Kruger seemed excited that coaches can now work with players for two hours a week during summer school.

Two hours per week...what a joke. Kids with high ceilings are better off turning pro than wasting time on a college campus to develop their game.

 

[WTSooner]

if there is only 1 left it would imply that Henry IS showing up on ship sometimes next season

No, because we still have other offers out, and Blair isn't gone yet.

 

[CMSOONER]

No, because we still have other offers out, and Blair isn't gone yet.

If he's officially been granted his release then he's gone. I know this from personal experience. He's enrolled and still going to class (presumably), but his scholly is officially available for fall 2012.

 

[WTSooner]

If he's officially been granted his release then he's gone. I know this from personal experience. He's enrolled and still going to class (presumably), but his scholly is officially available for fall 2012.

LK said he was exploring offers, not that he had been granted a release. I suspect he is gone, but with as many offers as we have outstanding, I'd be hesitant to use Blair leaving as definite proof of LK expecting Henry next year at the semester break.

 

[Big Old Booger]

LK said he was exploring offers, not that he had been granted a release. I suspect he is gone, but with as many offers as we have outstanding, I'd be hesitant to use Blair leaving as definite proof of LK expecting Henry next year at the semester break.

If he doesn't get an offer, then he will probably stick around.

Part of me wishes LK would pull his scholarship, but he's a good kid who has kept his nose clean and represented the program and university with class. So, the best would be to allow him to finish out his eligibility and graduate.

 

[CMSOONER]

LK said he was exploring offers, not that he had been granted a release. I suspect he is gone, but with as many offers as we have outstanding, I'd be hesitant to use Blair leaving as definite proof of LK expecting Henry next year at the semester break.

Yah I'm obviously assuming Blair has been granted his release. If memory serves me correctly he has to be released to talk to other schools. I know when I talked to the pokes while I was on scholly at another school they said officially they couldn't talk to me while I was on scholly. But unofficially....they talked to me. Maybe there is something in place where if the university and Blair are in agreement then he can explore his options and not be released.

I think Henry will be hard pressed to make it in for 2nd semester. I hope he can and wish him luck, but I'm not counting him as scholly right now. Maybe LK is reserving that for him on good faith. We'll find out soon enough. I'm with you, I think signing Cousins is more the result of Blair leaving than a sign the Henry will make it in second semester.

 

[vbdad]

Carl will find a place to play with the coaching staff's help. He has done everything correctly and he wants more playing time. There is a school he can accomplish his goals.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

Carl will find a place to play with the coaching staff's help. He has done everything correctly and he wants more playing time. There is a school he can accomplish his goals.

:clap:clap

 

[DenverSooner]

If he doesn't get an offer, then he will probably stick around.

Part of me wishes LK would pull his scholarship, but he's a good kid who has kept his nose clean and represented the program and university with class. So, the best would be to allow him to finish out his eligibility and graduate.

Why? What has he done to deserve to get his scholarship pulled. If you are upset that he is not good enough, you should blame Capel and/or Joe C for hiring Capel, not Carl Blair. To my knowledge Carl Blair has done nothing wrong.

I don't want OU to become a school that pulls scholarships from kids that do the right thing simply because they are not as good as the coaches hoped. OU should be creating future leaders and setting high standards. This is done by holding yourself to high standards.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Why? What has he done to deserve to get his scholarship pulled. If you are upset that he is not good enough, you should blame Capel and/or Joe C for hiring Capel, not Carl Blair. To my knowledge Carl Blair has done nothing wrong.

I don't want OU to become a school that pulls scholarships from kids that do the right thing simply because they are not as good as the coaches hoped. OU should be creating future leaders and setting high standards. This is done by holding yourself to high standards.

Like I said, he's done absolutely nothing to get his scholarship pulled. The only reason why I said "part of me wishes..." is so they could replace him with a better player, but that's not ethical and if he wants to stay he deserves to get to stay.

I know scholarships are 1 year renewable contracts, but if the kid doesn't cause trouble, keeps his nose clean, is a good teammate, handles his business in the classroom, and represents the program and institution with class, he should be able to stay if he wants.