Cousins, Heild and Hornbeak

[DenverSooner]

Does anyone not believe all three of these guys are better than Carl Blair?

Blair's experience would have been nice but I think all three of these guys will prove to be better athletes and better basketball players.

 

[25mob]

i think OU has enough experience on the team... it needed better young players to come in and give the team an infusion of talent.

 

[AdaSooner]

Does anyone not believe all three of these guys are better than Carl Blair?

Blair's experience would have been nice but I think all three of these guys will prove to be better athletes and better basketball players.

Totally agree, Denver!

But to be honest, the upgrade in talent and athleticism didn't end with Carl Blair. I believe in time we'll all see that Kruger knew what he was doing when he signed M'Baye and the three freshmen guards.

I'm excited about the quality depth we'll have this season! But if two or three players on last year's team don't come into the fall campaign with a noticeably improved game, I think we'll see some dramatic changes in the seven to nine man rotation.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Totally agree, Denver!

But to be honest, the upgrade in talent and athleticism didn't end with Carl Blair. I believe in time we'll all see that Kruger knew what he was doing when he signed M'Baye and the three freshmen guards.

I'm excited about the quality depth we'll have this season! But if two or three players on last year's team don't come into the fall campaign with a noticeably improved game, I think we'll see some dramatic changes in the seven to nine man rotation.

I'm speculating that two of those players would be Arent and Neal. I'm not sure that we would go more than about eight deep consistently, but the following players I'm expecting to be included in any rotation CLK comes up with:

1. Grooms
2. Pledger
3. Osby
4. Clark
5. M'Baye
6. Bennett

That leaves two spots [or three if we went with nine players], and the problem for Arent and Neal is that their spots look to be covered up with Arent having four players in front of him and Neal having two if M'Baye can in fact play inside/out as advertised. Should be interesting.

I always take grief for this, but I'd consider redshirting Neal and Arent this season under those circumstances. I'd give Arent the courtesy because that is what he asked for when he came to OU, and I truly think that Neal has some upside as a utility player that can help us win games in the future. I see the other side of the argument though for both.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm speculating that two of those players would be Arent and Neal. I'm not sure that we would go more than about eight deep consistently, but the following players I'm expecting to be included in any rotation CLK comes up with:

1. Grooms
2. Pledger
3. Osby
4. Clark
5. M'Baye
6. Bennett

That leaves two spots [or three if we went with nine players], and the problem for Arent and Neal is that their spots look to be covered up with Arent having four players in front of him and Neal having two if M'Baye can in fact play inside/out as advertised. Should be interesting.

I always take grief for this, but I'd consider redshirting Neal and Arent this season under those circumstances. I'd give Arent the courtesy because that is what he asked for when he came to OU, and I truly think that Neal has some upside as a utility player that can help us win games in the future. I see the other side of the argument though for both.

You're absolutely right about the two players I had in mind when I expanded on what Denver said.

I would love to see Arent and Neal have a breakout season and prove everyone wrong. But I don't see that happening with the competition for playing time more intense this season than anything they faced last year. Thus, I would agree that a redshirt season may be the way to go, although I believe that Tyler is the most likel of the two to benefit from a year to develop his game. As you said, Arent would be more to honor what he wanted to do when he signed with OU. And, in retrospect, maybe Coach Kruger should have listened to him.

I keep forgetting about Bennett. I like his upside. But he's an unknown quantity to me right now.

 

[j2d2]

It might be a good idea for Clark to look to his merits also. He has had great "potential " now for two years and has shown only rare flashes.

 

[DenverSooner]

Neal is one of the more athletic guys on the team. Don't count him out just yet. He just needs to figure out if he is a 3 or a 4. I fear he isn't either and that is going to be his downfall. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

[AdaSooner]

Neal is one of the more athletic guys on the team. Don't count him out just yet. He just needs to figure out if he is a 3 or a 4. I fear he isn't either and that is going to be his downfall. Hopefully I am wrong.

No, you're not wrong. Tyler's problem is that he's a tweener on offense, who doesn't have the footspeed to defend the three, or the bulk to defend the four.

IMO, his only chance to contribute in a meaningful way is to shoot the three at such a high level he can't be ignored. It would also help if he worked his tail off on defense and on the boards at every opportunity. He's not good enough to get by on talent alone.

 

[Ham]

I think Neal is going to be the first 3 off the bench.

(something like)
1 Grooms/Cousins/Hield
2 Pledger/Hield/Hornbeak
3 Clark/Neal/Hornbeak
4 Osby/Fitz/**
5 M'Baye/Fitz/**

I suspect Bennett and Arent are going to battle for the 4th** post spot.
Personally, I don't know of any reason to assume Bennett wins out.
LK brought in Arent as well. Both were late adds. He has had a year to be in the system.
Granted, he did almost nothing last year so for Bennett to outplay him wouldn't surprise.

 

[25mob]

I think Neal is going to be the first 3 off the bench.

(something like)
1 Grooms/Cousins/Hield
2 Pledger/Hield/Hornbeak
3 Clark/Neal/Hornbeak
4 Osby/Fitz/**
5 M'Baye/Fitz/**

I suspect Bennett and Arent are going to battle for the 4th** post spot.
Personally, I don't know of any reason to assume Bennett wins out.
LK brought in Arent as well. Both were late adds. He has had a year to be in the system.
Granted, he did almost nothing last year so for Bennett to outplay him wouldn't surprise.

there is no way Hield is going to see playing time at the Point over Hornbeak. Right now I would be surprised if Cousins got more time at Point in front of Hornbeak.

 

[DenverSooner]

I just hope these guys make a positive contribution that combined is noticeabley better than Blair. If they can do that, OU is a better team. When you add experience for the returning players along with M'Baye and Bennett, I think OU has a chance to be substantially improved and make the NCAA Trounament.

If one of the three freshman has a great year, I think OU has a chance to earn a 6 seed or better.

 

[Ham]

there is no way Hield is going to see playing time at the Point over Hornbeak. Right now I would be surprised if Cousins got more time at Point in front of Hornbeak.

You may be right, I don't know who is the better 1, 2, or 3 among the true freshmen. I was going on hearsay and others opinions.

Seems so many are high on Hield. But the way Kruger specifically targeted Cousins tells me he really likes him as a PG.