Depth Guage

[SoonerinNC]

I have maintained that the quality of the Sooners depth will be key to the season. Our four seniors are known quantities and we can almost expect a certain performance night out and night in.

Tracking the bench performance in the key games where the game conditions dictate the subbing pattern rather than those where they are trying to give the young guys experience.

Memphis - 37 minutes, 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 turnovers

Wisconsin - 48 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 turnover

Villanova - 53 minutes, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers

Nice progress in minutes, and in points but we need more points from the bench and more rebounds. Need to also cut down on minutes for Spangler (37 against Villanova), Cousins (35) and Hield (36). we can't do that game in and game out in the Big 12 season.

That says that the young inside players have to keep improving and James and Odomes have to take more minutes from Buddy and Cousins. Walker seems to be settling in. James and Odoms still inconsistent. Also Buford needs to earn more minutes.

Also the buckup guys need to step it up on D. A lot of the easy Wildcat baskets came because the young guys missed defensive assignments, mostly in help defense, where the starters excell.

 

[StatGeek]

Interesting breakdown, thanks for putting that together.

 

[runner1182]

Kruger knows what he is doing with the bench. He is gaining more trust. James and Odomes are playing solid basketball. Not commiting dumb turnovers.

 

[thewez]

The thing is Odomes is really taking minutes from either Spangler or the centers (when spangler is moved to C). He's playing the 4 the last few games

 

[usedtobe1]

The thing is Odomes is really taking minutes from either Spangler or the centers (when spangler is moved to C). He's playing the 4 the last few games

That was sure the case tonight when Odomes was on the floor for the last 5-6 minutes along with Spangler in the post.... in crunch time. He is the best offensive player of the bunch. I'm not sure any of the 4 played much defense tonight (Odomes, AK, Lattin, McNeace).

 

[ChongoChingi]

That was sure the case tonight when Odomes was on the floor for the last 5-6 minutes along with Spangler in the post.... in crunch time. He is the best offensive player of the bunch. I'm not sure any of the 4 played much defense tonight (Odomes, AK, Lattin, McNeace).

I like the left handed layups and putbacks

 

[25mob]

I think we should keep in mind that not all games will be substituted the same way. in some games the starters are going to have to play a lot of minutes and in other games not as many. Be careful about assuming after every game that the whole season will be the same.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Where we have to get to is more consistency from the bench plus a little more productivity and better defense.

Instead of double figures in one game from James and Odomes and then none for a couple of games we need points every time they play. Walker, James and Odomes and probably in the long run Buford must keep the offense going when they are replacing our starters. They and the bigs must keep the strong defense going and give us a few points.

Last night a great example, We jumped out to a double digit lead with very sharp play. that broke down when the reserves came in. Poorer shot selection, turnovers and defensive mistakes allowed Villanova to come back. We did better the second half.

I'm not trashing our reserves. I think they have very good potential and believe that they will be better by Big 12 time and even better by the post season.

 

[j2d2]

I'm for doing whatever it takes to give Spangler more rest. Given the number of posts we have I'd like to see them more often. If AK stayed under the basket, even if his man went to the top of the circle (where few big men can score from), he would be an enforcer and there would be few drives to the basket.

 

[jaymOU]

That was sure the case tonight when Odomes was on the floor for the last 5-6 minutes along with Spangler in the post.... in crunch time. He is the best offensive player of the bunch. I'm not sure any of the 4 played much defense tonight (Odomes, AK, Lattin, McNeace).

Lattin was really good defensively last night. That was not a game suited for AK - as Nova's bigs were taking him out beyond the paint. He is just not really suited for that style at this point. I think McNeace would be perfect for that type of game with his athleticism, but OU's rebounding went immediately south when he was in the game.

Odomes at the "stretch 4" is interesting. Heck, even Buddy played the 4 late. The versatility of this team is really interesting and is a hallmark of great LK teams and great teams, and great teams in general

 

[Larry72]

Odoms played his best game defensively. That was the main reason for his increased minutes.

The other young players did not play good D.

Hopefully they will learn from this game.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Comparing the Oral Roberts game for bench production to the average of the Memphis, Wisconsin and Villanova games.

Oral Roberts 30.8% field goals vs average of 47.4%
3 point shooting: OR 40% - Ave 55.6%
Free Shots: OR 66.7% - Ave 50%
Total Points: OR 14 - Ave 15.3
Minutes: OR 51 - Ave 46
Rebounds: OR 11 - Ave 9
Assists: OR 5 - Ave 2
Turnovers: OR 5 - Ave 2.7
Steals: OR 1 - Ave 0.7

Still looking for progress here. Walker and Manyang appear to be the closest to having a consistene role off the bench. The others still a little hit and miss. Good to see Buford get some minutes, however brief. Need more from the bench in Big 12 play. Best stats clearly shooting percentage, but not today.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Comparing bench production from Creighton with the 4 earlier quality (Memphis, Wisconsin, Villanova, Oral Roberts) Div I opponents.

Shooting Percentage:

Field Goals: Crieghton 54.5% - Ave 46.0%
3 Point FG: Creighton 66.7% - Ave 50.0%
Free Shots: Creighton 50.0% - Ave 56.3%

Rebounds: Creighton 8 - Ave 10
Assists: Creighton 0 - Ave 2.8
Turnovers: Creighton 2 - Ave 3.3
Blocks: Creighton 3 - Ave 2
Steals: Creighton 1 - Ave .8

Minutes: Creighton 41 Ave 52.5
Tot Points: Creighton 16 Ave 15

A little less bench used. Only 6 minutes total from Odomes and James. Those are the two that have to give us quality minutes off the bench for the Sooners to have quality depth. Plus continuing improvement from Manyang and Buford. Walker pretty much a known quantity now.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Update of use of bench after the Hawaii game. I didn't factor in Washington State because of the blowout. We seem to be going in the wrong direction and apparently will face the Big 12 with only 8 deep in the tough games. Not only was minutes and players used down but production was generally down as well.

Shooting:

Field Goals - Hawaii 40.0% Ave 47.5%
3 Pt F Goals - Hawaii 25.0% Ave 52.9%
Free Shots - Hawaii 33.3% Ave 55.0%

Rebounds - Hawaii 4 Ave 3
Assists - Hawaii 2 Ave 2.2
Turnovers - Hawaii 4 Ave 3
Blocks - Hawaii 2 Ave 2.2
Steals - Hawaii 2 Ave 0.8

Minutes - Hawaii 40 Ave 50.2
Tot Points - Hawaii 10 Ave 15.2

 

[SoonerinNC]

Update on bench production after the Harvard game. Poorest output for the bench of the season. Four players used, still no Odomes or McNease. A little scary with Kansas and Iowa State coming up.

Shooting:

Field Goals - Harvard 0.0% Ave 46.5%
3 Pt F Goals - Harvard 0.0% Ave 47.6%
Free Shots - Harvard 50.0% Ave 52.2%

Rebounds - Harvard 2 Ave 8.3
Assists - Harvard 0 Ave 2.2
Turnovers - Harvard 3 Ave 3.2
Blocks - Harvard 1 Ave 2.2
Steals - Harvard 0 Ave 1

Minutes - Harvard 32 Ave 48.5
Tot Points - Harvard 1 Ave 14.3

 

[Stikboy]

Color me slightly worried about our bench. I think we have good talent but apparently Lon isn't too comfortable with them against big opponents. I can't figure out if it's confidence issues with them or if our coaching staff/star players don't want them taking shots..

 

[DenverSooner]

Color me slightly worried about our bench. I think we have good talent but apparently Lon isn't too comfortable with them against big opponents. I can't figure out if it's confidence issues with them or if our coaching staff/star players don't want them taking shots..

The bench had a bad game against Harvard but I would t panic yet. Walker had two three pint shots that were all but down. I think they will be fine.

 

[Darwin]

Color me slightly worried about our bench. I think we have good talent but apparently Lon isn't too comfortable with them against big opponents. I can't figure out if it's confidence issues with them or if our coaching staff/star players don't want them taking shots..

I do feel a bit confused by it but Lon could be pushing the work harder button.

 

[WTSooner]

The problem with the bench is we have several guys we thought would be contributing, that haven't done much yet.

Manyang and Walker have been okay, and are the first two off the bench.

McNeace and Odomes barely play, if at all.

Buford had a couple of solid games in Hawaii, but for the most part has been a complete non-factor. James has been decent.

Probably the most disappointed in Buford and Odomes. There was talk before the season started of both having a chance to start this year.

 

[WTSooner]

Color me slightly worried about our bench. I think we have good talent but apparently Lon isn't too comfortable with them against big opponents. I can't figure out if it's confidence issues with them or if our coaching staff/star players don't want them taking shots..

Not sure where you come up with the "LK may not want them taking shots" part.

LK doesn't care who you are, you are allowed to shoot the shots you practice if you are open and/or they are in the flow of the offense.

Honestly, I don't like that one bit, as against Hawaii Manyang took shots on either 3 straight possessions, or 3 our of 4/5 possessions. I don't want Manyang shooting that much when we have guys like Buddy, Cousins, and Woodard, and even Spangler on the floor. Or Walker for that matter.

But I don't think I've ever seen LK not play a guy for that reason.