Cousins improvement

[jaymOU]

What Cousins has done to get better is really amazing. Sampson used to say the most improvement in a player comes between their freshman and sophomore seasons and this really rings true with Cousins.

He was so out of control both offensively and defensively, I thought - and probably said on this board - he was going to struggle to play at this level.

Wow was I wrong. I think his defense has been the key to OU's defense being better in the last three games - KState, KU and Texas. The defensive energy they showed at KU was unbelivable and reminded me of some of Kelvin's teams.

And offensively, his pull-up jumper is deadly - especially just inside the three-point line. When he consistently hits the three, he is very hard to guard with his height and explosivenss.

Now this summer I'd like to see him work on his left hand! In the open floor and around the rim he goes right almost every time.

I believe Cousins is an all-conference type player - maybe even as soon as next year - if he continues his current improvement curve.

I know most of this is related to his work ethic, but you have to love what LK and his staff have done to foster this attitude!

 

[DenverSooner]

I agree that Cousins has a chance to be a star in the Big XII. I bet he pushes 15 a game next season.

 

[steverocks35]

I love to see a guy that can hit the mid-range pull-up/step-back jumper, it makes him virtually unguardable.

 

[Max Power]

His big Jump gets me really excited for Frank and Jordan next year if they can make similar jumps

 

[j2d2]

I love to see a guy that can hit the mid-range pull-up/step-back jumper, it makes him virtually unguardable.

That's the most effective, efficient shot in basketball - for both men and women.

 

[Dr Sleep]

That's the most effective, efficient shot in basketball - for both men and women.

I would have thought a dunk would be the most effective shot. :bgriff624_jpg_xs:

 

[dahldennsull]

I would have thought a dunk would be the most effective shot. :bgriff624_jpg_xs:

I don't dunk cause there are shots worth 3 points...:neal

 

[jaymOU]

His big Jump gets me really excited for Frank and Jordan next year if they can make similar jumps

Max when I was writing this I had the same thought. I was really focusing on Booker, as I think Woodard will get better with experience, but he has some physical limitations. He's not a superior athlete and his, obviously, not very tall. Don't get me wrong, I love Woodard's game and his ability to see the floor is as good as any point guard in recent OU history. He has a great future, but I just don't know what he can do significantly better, outside of shooting the three.

Booker, on the other hand, really gets me pumped. The block he had Saturday is an indication of his athletic ability. To me, he looks a little heavy. If Joseph can go to work on him and slim him down some, he could be scary. As smooth as his stroke is, if he could finish around the rim - watch out, he could be as good as any wing on campus.

If all goes right, OU could have Hield, Cousins and Booker - all three all conference type wing players - as two seniors and one junior. Could be really exciting. Kind of like Wichita State this year.

Gotta hope another couple of bigs work out.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Max when I was writing this I had the same thought. I was really focusing on Booker, as I think Woodard will get better with experience, but he has some physical limitations. He's not a superior athlete and his, obviously, not very tall. Don't get me wrong, I love Woodard's game and his ability to see the floor is as good as any point guard in recent OU history. He has a great future, but I just don't know what he can do significantly better, outside of shooting the three.

Booker, on the other hand, really gets me pumped. The block he had Saturday is an indication of his athletic ability. To me, he looks a little heavy. If Joseph can go to work on him and slim him down some, he could be scary. As smooth as his stroke is, if he could finish around the rim - watch out, he could be as good as any wing on campus.

If all goes right, OU could have Hield, Cousins and Booker - all three all conference type wing players - as two seniors and one junior. Could be really exciting. Kind of like Wichita State this year.

Gotta hope another couple of bigs work out.

Booker is set to replace Neal as the first player off the bench and could start at the 4 in place of Clark but I think that's worst case scenario because that means the new recruits aren't ready for action.

Love Cousins improvement and Booker has really surprised me because most frosh seem to hit a wall but he's kept getting better and better as the season progresses.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

He has a great future, but I just don't know what he can do significantly better, outside of shooting the three.

.

i would be fine if Woodard's 3pt % stayed teh same the rest of his three years here.

But he can dramatically improve his ability to finish

 

[AdaSooner]

Max when I was writing this I had the same thought. I was really focusing on Booker, as I think Woodard will get better with experience, but he has some physical limitations. He's not a superior athlete and his, obviously, not very tall. Don't get me wrong, I love Woodard's game and his ability to see the floor is as good as any point guard in recent OU history. He has a great future, but I just don't know what he can do significantly better, outside of shooting the three.

Booker, on the other hand, really gets me pumped. The block he had Saturday is an indication of his athletic ability. To me, he looks a little heavy. If Joseph can go to work on him and slim him down some, he could be scary. As smooth as his stroke is, if he could finish around the rim - watch out, he could be as good as any wing on campus.

If all goes right, OU could have Hield, Cousins and Booker - all three all conference type wing players - as two seniors and one junior. Could be really exciting. Kind of like Wichita State this year.

Gotta hope another couple of bigs work out.

Booker is set to replace Neal as the first player off the bench and could start at the 4 in place of Clark but I think that's worst case scenario because that means the new recruits aren't ready for action.

Love Cousins improvement and Booker has really surprised me because most frosh seem to hit a wall but he's kept getting better and better as the season progresses.

If I can take the liberty of summarizing what you guys are saying, our back court should be scary good next season. Booker and Hornbeak could start for a lot of teams this year. How much better will they be after working on their game and getting bigger and stronger in the off season?

To be honest, it's been a long time since we've had more than one or two guard/wings that got me excited as I looked forward to the season ahead. When was the last time we had five? Maybe never.

I'm sure one of the OU BB historians out there with a better memory will correct me if I'm wrong. lol

 

[steverocks35]

Cousins's improvement has been great and I don't ever remember a guy that we signed in the late signing period that had as much of an impact as Frank Booker. There's usually a reason those guys are still around in the late period. Very pleasantly surprised.

 

[Swans]

I love to see a guy that can hit the mid-range pull-up/step-back jumper, it makes him virtually unguardable.

Reminds me of Quannis White. That was the move I'll always remember him for.

 

[WaymanFan]

To be honest, it's been a long time since we've had more than one or two guard/wings that got me excited as I looked forward to the season ahead. When was the last time we had five? Maybe never.

I'm sure one of the OU BB historians out there with a better memory will correct me if I'm wrong. lol

Well, the 1989-90 squad definitely comes close. While Jackie Jones played the '4', he definitely stepped out a lot to hit some bombs. Throw in Skeeter Henry, Damon Patterson, Terry Evans, Smokey McCovery, Terrance Mullins and Michael Harris, you get the #1 overall seed going into the Dance (don't have any memory of what happened once we got there ).

 

[AdaSooner]

Well, the 1989-90 squad definitely comes close. While Jackie Jones played the '4', he definitely stepped out a lot to hit some bombs. Throw in Skeeter Henry, Damon Patterson, Terry Evans, Smokey McCovery, Terrance Mullins and Michael Harris, you get the #1 overall seed going into the Dance (don't have any memory of what happened once we got there ).

WF, I had a feeling you could name the year and the players to prove me wrong.

I was right about one thing, though. It has been a long time.

 

[DenverSooner]

Cousins's improvement has been great and I don't ever remember a guy that we signed in the late signing period that had as much of an impact as Frank Booker. There's usually a reason those guys are still around in the late period. Very pleasantly surprised.

Wasn't Cousins signed in the late period?

 

[BigTime]

His improvement is nothing short of remarkable. Credit first to him for working and second to Henson and staff for their development.

 

[vbdad]

LK believed when he signed him that he had the potential to play in the NBA. I sure didn't see it last year but not I think it is a possibility.
Give Kevin Kruger and Steve Henson a bunch of credit for the improved shooting plus Cousins work ethic.

 

[steverocks35]

Wasn't Cousins signed in the late period?

http://www.slamonline.com/online/news-rumors/other-news/2012/03/oklahoma-lands-new-yorks-isaiah-cousins/

You are correct! Now, is Booker better than Cousins was as a freshman? I think that's a good question.

 

[MNsooner]

Cousins stats from last season -

16 minutes, 2.7 pts, 2 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.3 TOs, 28% FG, 25% 3pts

Booker this season (so far) -

14 minutes, 5.2 pts, 1.6 reb, .6 ast, .6 TOs, 37% FG, 37% 3pts

To me, looking at the numbers confirmed what I was already thinking. Booker is having a much better freshman season than Cousins. A lot of us last year were really excited about the flashes of greatness Cousins would show when he played under control. That just didn't happen very often. Booker naturally is playing with more control and has a great 3 point shot. That means he has been able to fit in with our offense in an easier role for a freshman. Recently, he has shown flashes of offensive and defensive play making like we saw from Isaiah his freshman year. I don't want to put too much pressure on Booker, but I think he may make the kind of jump that Cousins made unless an injury derails him (see: Jelon).