Defense

[AdaSooner]

I think nearly everyone here will agree that defense has been this team's greatest weakness. Yes, there have been a few breakdowns on offense from from time to time. But, on the whole our inability to make stops when the game is on the line has been our downfall. This may be wishful thinking my part, but I believe this is a problem that can be fixed.

Most of us were pumped when OU jumped out to a big lead on UNI with a smothering defensive performance that had their players rattled. We all know what happened in the latter part of the second half when our lead disappeared. The losses at Wisconsin and against WSU were similar in that OU led by three on the Badger's home court, only to lose the game when we couldn't sustain our effort. WSU was our game to lose until we couldn't make stops or shots in the last few minutes. In every loss, it seems, the story has been the same. The lack of a consistent effort on defense.

My point is simply that this team is capable of playing good defense. We have seen them do it. Just not consistently for an entire game. I think in part that's due to our youth and the absence of a clear leader. Our newcomers haven't learned that you can't take plays off at the high D-1 level and be successful. They haven't bought into the idea that a team is only as good as the sum of its parts. That when one player doesn't do his job on every possession, it affects the entire team.

This team has no leader that I have seen. Think about it. If you were asked to name the leader, who would it be? Woodard would be the obvious choice, mainly because he may be the only one who has led by example in every game. But, leaders need to lead in other ways too. How many times have you seen him huddle with the team on his own or get into someone's face? That not a knock on Jordan. I'm just pointing out the obvious. He not a natural leader due to his laid back personality.

I haven't come up with an answer to these problems yet. Guess that's why our coaches get paid the big bucks. All I'm saying is that despite our record so far, I think it's too early to give up on this team.

 

[j2d2]

Defense has never been Sherri's strong suit nor has rebounding. After so many years I dont look for a change in either. That doesnt mean that the team doesnt have a great defensive game once in a while or a great rebounding game, but they are too rare to hold out hope to me that big changes are coming.

 

[AdaSooner]

Did you think you were on the women's board, j2d2?

 

[Stikboy]

Two of the best defensive games i've seen a Kruger OU team play were both in holiday tournaments I saw in person. The Butler game two years ago at Atlantis was absolutely smothering. And this year, like Ada said the first 3/4 of the UNI game was similar. The only thing I can think of is playing 11 guys in the open-tryout type strategy Lon has employed so far is making it hard to have cohesiveness. As far as leadership, I was hoping for more out of James and Lattin. But guess it's hard to be much of a leader when you yourself are massively struggling with your game.

This isn't defense, but I was thinking about something that Dougie said in the Auburn game. He said that over the years Kruger "lets his players play". I took that to mean offense, and may explain some of the standing around and lack of organization in the half court. Maybe with all this inexperience, he should employ more set plays with many of our players lacking the confidence to take charge and take and make shots. Or, maybe when they get down to the 9 guys and get the rotation down they'll get more cohesive. I hope.

 

[Larry72]

Two of the best defensive games i've seen a Kruger OU team play were both in holiday tournaments I saw in person. The Butler game two years ago at Atlantis was absolutely smothering. And this year, like Ada said the first 3/4 of the UNI game was similar. The only thing I can think of is playing 11 guys in the open-tryout type strategy Lon has employed so far is making it hard to have cohesiveness. As far as leadership, I was hoping for more out of James and Lattin. But guess it's hard to be much of a leader when you yourself are massively struggling with your game.

This isn't defense, but I was thinking about something that Dougie said in the Auburn game. He said that over the years Kruger "lets his players play". I took that to mean offense, and may explain some of the standing around and lack of organization in the half court. Maybe with all this inexperience, he should employ more set plays with many of our players lacking the confidence to take charge and take and make shots. Or, maybe when they get down to the 9 guys and get the rotation down they'll get more cohesive. I hope.

I wrote this on the B12 record post:

I wish that Lon would change his philosophy. I would like the following:
Play full court man to man... pressure the ball and play 10-12 players
Play a motion and screening offense that emphasizes passing.
We should have a goal of 20 assists a game instead of 4-8
Play 100% and the coach should sub you out frequently.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I think communication is huge. The good is I THINK we can get there. It'll be a tough road. The hope is they start to jell vs break down.

 

[BCSooners]

I wrote this on the B12 record post:

I wish that Lon would change his philosophy. I would like the following:
Play full court man to man... pressure the ball and play 10-12 players
Play a motion and screening offense that emphasizes passing.
We should have a goal of 20 assists a game instead of 4-8
Play 100% and the coach should sub you out frequently.

That would be everyone's philosophy if you had the Warriors roster.

 

[Larry72]

That would be everyone's philosophy if you had the Warriors roster.

Hey i can hope.

There are several college programs that move the ball well and play good D

 

[Stikboy]

I wrote this on the B12 record post:

I wish that Lon would change his philosophy. I would like the following:
Play full court man to man... pressure the ball and play 10-12 players
Play a motion and screening offense that emphasizes passing.
We should have a goal of 20 assists a game instead of 4-8
Play 100% and the coach should sub you out frequently.

I have often thought of those things and am in complete agreement. I often find myself counting passes OU makes in the halfcourt compared to other teams I watch. OU's is a really low number most of the time. OU's team assist totals have been horrible these last few losses. It also seems that running that weave they allow teams to push them way too "high" so it throws them off. I sure hope that Polish or Finnish or whatever guy is a real force for us in the post.

 

[BCSooners]

Hey i can hope.

There are several college programs that move the ball well and play good D

Yes there are, but none of them run 12 players out there. Teams that have high assist numbers usually have bigs that finish really well or are a team full of guards that play small ball. We have neither of those & our best passer is our defensive specialist (Odomes).

Kruger allows his guys to play freely which has worked out well every year. Also I think our defense is much better than I thought it would be. Fact is that these talented players are still figuring out how to play a full collegiate game and figuring out how to get the most out of their roles, some are still trying to figure out their role.

 

[AdaSooner]

I have often thought of those things and am in complete agreement. I often find myself counting passes OU makes in the halfcourt compared to other teams I watch. OU's is a really low number most of the time. OU's team assist totals have been horrible these last few losses. It also seems that running that weave they allow teams to push them way too "high" so it throws them off. I sure hope that Polish or Finnish or whatever guy is a real force for us in the post.

Polla will be what I wish we had now: a space eater on the interior. This team has plenty of size when it comes to being tall. Problem is none of our bigs have the bulk necessary to compete for position. If Lattin and McNeace put their rear ends together, they still wouldn't have one big enough to create space inside.

Hannas Polla will change that. At 6' 11" 265, no one will have to ask, where's the beef. I see him , at least potentially, as OU's version of "Big Country." I'm looking forward to seeing him play next year.