Couple of Thoughts

[pnkranger]

* Our post depth is scary bad. Losing M'Baye could be the difference between sweet sixteen and NIT if we can't get some contribution from Bennett and Hamilton.
* I like our guards -- Buddy, Woodard, Clark, Hornbeak, Cousins, Booker. I think we've got skill and depth. As a group they'll be one of the deepest in the league.
* Our defense was porous. We could not keep anyone in front of us.

OCU is pretty darned good with the ball in their hands.

 

[mardaddy51]

I think Bennett will contribute. They are slow playing now due to lingering injury.

 

[Capel's Mustache]

The defense was horrendous. We couldn't keep anyone in front of us. I'm hoping most of it can be chalked up to lack of focus, especially in the 1st half.

Man, we are really going to struggle to rebound. It might require less guys ready to run down the floor and everyone crashing the glass.

 

[MsProudSooner]

We could not keep anyone in front of us.

I wonder how much of that was due to guys still learning to move their feet instead of hand check?

 

[garyeb2]

I wonder how much of that was due to guys still learning to move their feet instead of hand check?

A lot I think. Since the day the refs were brought in and the rule changes were rolled out, the whole thing seems to have gotten into their heads some. They have backed off a half step and are thinking about it too much. They are capable defenders and hopefully they can find the right balance before Friday.

But, in addition, they are simply busting a lot of assignments. I'm surprised about that. They have looked so much better for weeks now. That problem is likely quickly fixable.

 

[KBaden145]

The only tough fix and real worry I saw is defensive rebounding. I think a lot of the other issues will resolve but I see getting defensive boards being an issue most of the year against quality competition.

 

[BoulderSooner]

1. the D the first 10 min of the second half ... when we actually played with focus and intensity was great ...

2. their 3 guards .. senior point 2 junior wings .. are all very good players ..

 

[OUHoops]

* Our post depth is scary bad. Losing M'Baye could be the difference between sweet sixteen and NIT if we can't get some contribution from Bennett and Hamilton.

I've been thinking the exact same thing.

 

[AdaSooner]

I've been thinking the exact same thing.

I share your concerns and those expressed by pnkranger regarding our post depth.

Spangler and Bennett will be fine. But even they are not on the level of many of the post players OU will face in conference this year. I have a feeling Cam will see a lot of time at the four when the season gets underway.

Beyond those three, we have a serious void in talent. While Tyler was better than expected in the two exhibition games, I'm not sure we can count on him to give us quality minutes on a consistent basis, especially on defense. Hamilton? Well, from what I could see in his limited time on the floor in the exhibition games, he needs to redshirt. Sure hope I'm wrong.

 

[Stikboy]

If Kruger can continue to recruit like it appears he is, I wouldn't redshirt him. No offense to Hamilton, but let's get that 'ship back faster..

 

[CoachTalk]

If Kruger can continue to recruit like it appears he is, I wouldn't redshirt him. No offense to Hamilton, but let's get that 'ship back faster..

ChaChing $$$

 

[dahldennsull]

Beyond those three, we have a serious void in talent. While Tyler was better than expected in the two exhibition games, I'm not sure we can count on him to give us quality minutes on a consistent basis, especially on defense. Hamilton? Well, from what I could see in his limited time on the floor in the exhibition games, he needs to redshirt. Sure hope I'm wrong.

I'm sorry, I just don't see it with Tyler. His shot selection is bad, his shooting % is terrible, and he doens't offer much in areas of rebounding, defense etc. The less meaningful minutes he is forced to play, the better this team is. He shot 21.4% last year and 26.1% from three. If he had simply focused on nothing else but 3 pt shooting to bring one asset he would be more helpful.

Hate to be so negative on the guy, but when I watch him play, it hurts my insides. One of the true shining examples of the last minute stretch signings Capel had to annually pull to fill out a roster.

I'm sure he is a fine player, and major props to him for Academic Big 12 selections the last 2 years, so glad he is helping out the team there. But meaningful minutes need to be limited.

 

[WTSooner]

We haven't been good at keeping guys in front of us since Kelvin left. It is something that worries me, but most on this board don't like to here about it, b/c in part, it's simply the downside to playing pressure, pressing defense.

This team is going to have to defend better in the half court if we're going to do anything more than barely slide into the NCAA Tourney this year. I truly believe that.

 

[stormspencer]

* Our post depth is scary bad. Losing M'Baye could be the difference between sweet sixteen and NIT if we can't get some contribution from Bennett and Hamilton.
* I like our guards -- Buddy, Woodard, Clark, Hornbeak, Cousins, Booker. I think we've got skill and depth. As a group they'll be one of the deepest in the league.
* Our defense was porous. We could not keep anyone in front of us.

OCU is pretty darned good with the ball in their hands.

Agree with everything you stated. My other concern is how we are going to rebound against big, athletic teams. We may get a sneak preview of that on Friday against Alabama. I don't know how skilled they are, but they certainly have length and athleticism.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm sorry, I just don't see it with Tyler. His shot selection is bad, his shooting % is terrible, and he doens't offer much in areas of rebounding, defense etc. The less meaningful minutes he is forced to play, the better this team is. He shot 21.4% last year and 26.1% from three. If he had simply focused on nothing else but 3 pt shooting to bring one asset he would be more helpful.

Hate to be so negative on the guy, but when I watch him play, it hurts my insides. One of the true shining examples of the last minute stretch signings Capel had to annually pull to fill out a roster.

I'm sure he is a fine player, and major props to him for Academic Big 12 selections the last 2 years, so glad he is helping out the team there. But meaningful minutes need to be limited.

You obviously read too much into my comments about Tyler. The "Beyond those three [Spangler, Bennett and Clark], we have a serious void in talent" should have tipped you off that I'm not real high on him either. He does make a play or two on occasion that gives me hope. But on the whole, he is still the same player we saw last year and the year before.

I like what I have seen of Spangler so far. Bennett has potential, too. Assuming he is still recovering from his injury and playing his way back into shape, he appears to be capable of giving us some good minutes in relief. The question is, will he develop into a dependable starter should LK choose to go with a bigger lineup in some situations? IMO, the jury is still out on that one. That's why I said Cam may be spending a lot of time at the four this season.

I have no doubt that Tyler will play, because Coach Kruger doesn't have any other options. Losing Elliott before he even stepped foot on campus sealed our fate on that one. I have always been for bringing in an occasional juco transfer to fill needs. Now, I'm not. I have seen too many juco busts the past three to four years, whether it was through failing to qualify academically, or by proving they weren't worth of a D-1 scholarship in the first place through their performance on the court. For every good one I can think of, I could name at least two that didn't do much more than take up space on our roster.

 

[Stikboy]

Agree with everything you stated. My other concern is how we are going to rebound against big, athletic teams. We may get a sneak preview of that on Friday against Alabama. I don't know how skilled they are, but they certainly have length and athleticism.

They may be long and athletic, but they got the (!) outrebounded out of them by Georgia directional..

But I agree, it will be more of test athletically, for sure.

 

[DenverSooner]

Hamilton? Well, from what I could see in his limited time on the floor in the exhibition games, he needs to redshirt. Sure hope I'm wrong.

With Spangler being a Sophomore, Bennett being a Junior, the two new commits and possibly Buford, perhaps he should just play a few minutes a half and move on after two years. I have nothing agains the kid. I hope he contributes and earns a degree from OU but perhaps OU can bring in better players for 2015/16 rather than continue to have him on scholarship. Either way I will support whatever Kruger decides to do.

 

[AdaSooner]

With Spangler being a Sophomore, Bennett being a Junior, the two new commits and possibly Buford, perhaps he should just play a few minutes a half and move on after two years. I have nothing agains the kid. I hope he contributes and earns a degree from OU but perhaps OU can bring in better players for 2015/16 rather than continue to have him on scholarship. Either way I will support whatever Kruger decides to do.

You may be right, Denver. Hamilton would have to improve a lot to see the court much next season. If we get Buford, our frontcourt could be as good as we have seen in sometime for at least two years, if not more.

What I was trying to say is that I don't think he's ready to contribute too much this season. I would love to be wrong.

 

[dahldennsull]

You obviously read too much into my comments about Tyler. The "Beyond those three [Spangler, Bennett and Clark], we have a serious void in talent" should have tipped you off that I'm not real high on him either. He does make a play or two on occasion that gives me hope. But on the whole, he is still the same player we saw last year and the year before.

I like what I have seen of Spangler so far. Bennett has potential, too. Assuming he is still recovering from his injury and playing his way back into shape, he appears to be capable of giving us some good minutes in relief. The question is, will he develop into a dependable starter should LK choose to go with a bigger lineup in some situations? IMO, the jury is still out on that one. That's why I said Cam may be spending a lot of time at the four this season.

I have no doubt that Tyler will play, because Coach Kruger doesn't have any other options. Losing Elliott before he even stepped foot on campus sealed our fate on that one. I have always been for bringing in an occasional juco transfer to fill needs. Now, I'm not. I have seen too many juco busts the past three to four years, whether it was through failing to qualify academically, or by proving they weren't worth of a D-1 scholarship in the first place through their performance on the court. For every good one I can think of, I could name at least two that didn't do much more than take up space on our roster.

was just unfortunate that I quoted you when I meant it as agreeing with you vs. others on the board, and not contradicting you. :facepalm

we are on the same page, carry on sir

 

[dahldennsull]

With Spangler being a Sophomore, Bennett being a Junior, the two new commits and possibly Buford, perhaps he should just play a few minutes a half and move on after two years. I have nothing agains the kid. I hope he contributes and earns a degree from OU but perhaps OU can bring in better players for 2015/16 rather than continue to have him on scholarship. Either way I will support whatever Kruger decides to do.

definitely agree with this. I see the redshirt as an option when you have a guy that is super raw at basketball but crazy athletic. Those are the guys that get the most out of a redshirt year. If you are limited athletically, and your skills aren't all that refined, I think you need to get your degree and move along. As we build the program we should recruit better and better, and I think in 2 years we will get someone who can add more value with his scholarship than what he would with an extra year. Just haven't seen much to give me hope yet