Depth Guage

[sperry]

Walker has improved a lot. He definitely gives us an improved guard off the bench from what we had last year.

The rest of the bench is where Lattin was at last year. You can see the talent, but the skill isn't there yet.

I think Manyang can be a valuable disruptive presence in the middle even if the offense isn't there. I've liked what I've seen from Buford every time he plays, hopefully whatever was costing him minutes earlier in the season has been resolved. McNeace, Odomes, and James haven't shown me much yet, but at least they are athletic bodies that can we use if we're desperate.

I expect an 8 man rotation in the games that matter, with Manyang, Buford and Walker being the guys that fill in for us.

 

[Darwin]

Maybe a 9 man rotation adding another guard likely James. I will go out on a limb and predict everyone will play in stoolwater.

 

[KBaden145]

Maybe a 9 man rotation adding another guard likely James. I will go out on a limb and predict everyone will play in stoolwater.

9 is probably right, with Odomes and Buford splitting that 9th spot based on need or the opponent. Walker, James, and AK are going to be staples going forward.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stikboy]

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.

I don't know that Lon tells them not to take shots, but you don't know either. Last year I saw vets get on Lattin's case a few times when he missed some shots. Obviously our freshmen backups have shot the ball.. Maybe I should have characterized it as running stuff for them. Sometimes I wish there some second, third, or even fourth options in our half court offense instead of Buddy or Isaiah dribbling around in circles then jacking a three. I wish that the offense was structured such that some of our young backups would be allowed to gain some confidence in shooting a high percentage shot. Trust me, it will be needed when Buddy has his inevitable off game and OU seemingly can't buy a bucket and all the starters are exhausted.

 

[SoonerinNC]

I agree that there are times that we do too much standing around in our half court defense I would hardly characterize of Isaih and Buddy dribbling around and taking jump shots. We have 4 guys who penetrate and we kick out pretty well.

We run a lot of high ball screens but we don't get the roll guy open for much with it. that is probably something they will work on quite a bit. We go inside quite a bit and Spangler drives across the lane for shots. He needs to be more agressive on offense though. Lattin and Manyang can shoot the ball inside. I thought Lattin looked a lot better in Hawaii on offense but thought Manyang dropped off.

I think Buford, James and Odomes can shoot long, mid and go hard to the hoop but they don't seem to have figured out how to get into the flow yet. That is a great opportunity for improvement.

If we can get the newbies integrated into our offenses and defenses better it will go a long way to improving the team.

 

[Stikboy]

I agree that there are times that we do too much standing around in our half court defense I would hardly characterize of Isaih and Buddy dribbling around and taking jump shots. We have 4 guys who penetrate and we kick out pretty well.

We run a lot of high ball screens but we don't get the roll guy open for much with it. that is probably something they will work on quite a bit. We go inside quite a bit and Spangler drives across the lane for shots. He needs to be more agressive on offense though. Lattin and Manyang can shoot the ball inside. I thought Lattin looked a lot better in Hawaii on offense but thought Manyang dropped off.

I think Buford, James and Odomes can shoot long, mid and go hard to the hoop but they don't seem to have figured out how to get into the flow yet. That is a great opportunity for improvement.

If we can get the newbies integrated into our offenses and defenses better it will go a long way to improving the team.

I agree with pretty much all of that. As good of a teacher and X and O guy that Lon is, i have often wondered why we can't be better in the half court. I realize the emphasis is to try to push the ball with our guards for easy baskets. But our half court offense looks downright putrid some of the time. I wonder if there is a limited time to practice and they emphasize other things?

 

[KBaden145]

I agree with pretty much all of that. As good of a teacher and X and O guy that Lon is, i have often wondered why we can't be better in the half court. I realize the emphasis is to try to push the ball with our guards for easy baskets. But our half court offense looks downright putrid some of the time. I wonder if there is a limited time to practice and they emphasize other things?

Our offense is based on moving the ball by pass or dribble to get the defense moving and then taking advantage when we get leverage or a mismatch. Drivers are using screens to attack the lane and look for open shooters as the defense is forced to rotate or collapse as the case may be. They, in essence, poke and prod, looking for space. Our issues occur when individual players get selfish with the ball, don't move, or think too hard with the ball in their possession. The ball sticks, as they say. This will get better and better as guys play together more and more. The rotation will solidify and comfort will improve. Our flow and shot selection at times has been the best it's been under Kruger. It will get more consistent. Shot selection isn't the real issue. Ball movement and carelessness has been at times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SoonerinNC]

Good description of what is happening.

 

[j2d2]

KBaden is right on. This is a motion offense so whatever stops the ball movement stops it.The crisper and quicker the passing with not too much dribbling and constant pressure to penetrate will provide all the good shots we can use.

 

[TheMont]

Our offense is based on moving the ball by pass or dribble to get the defense moving and then taking advantage when we get leverage or a mismatch. Drivers are using screens to attack the lane and look for open shooters as the defense is forced to rotate or collapse as the case may be. They, in essence, poke and prod, looking for space. Our issues occur when individual players get selfish with the ball, don't move, or think too hard with the ball in their possession. The ball sticks, as they say. This will get better and better as guys play together more and more. The rotation will solidify and comfort will improve. Our flow and shot selection at times has been the best it's been under Kruger. It will get more consistent. Shot selection isn't the real issue. Ball movement and carelessness has been at times.

I think this is a really accurate description. However, I don't think that this will improve as they play together more. Buddy, Isaiah, Spangs, and Jordan have played together more than any foursome in recent memory and our half-court offense has been a consistent issue the entire time.

 

[Stikboy]

Our offense is based on moving the ball by pass or dribble to get the defense moving and then taking advantage when we get leverage or a mismatch. Drivers are using screens to attack the lane and look for open shooters as the defense is forced to rotate or collapse as the case may be. They, in essence, poke and prod, looking for space. Our issues occur when individual players get selfish with the ball, don't move, or think too hard with the ball in their possession. The ball sticks, as they say. This will get better and better as guys play together more and more. The rotation will solidify and comfort will improve. Our flow and shot selection at times has been the best it's been under Kruger. It will get more consistent. Shot selection isn't the real issue. Ball movement and carelessness has been at times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. I've often wondered what we are doing sometimes. What are the bigs' role, just picks? How do the bigs fit besides setting high picks?

 

[WTSooner]

We will continue to struggle at times in the half court offense until LK starts running actual plays, instead of just the regular motion offense that forces the guys to create for themselves.

Maybe we'll see more of it in Big 12 play, but it's not something LK does frequently in the past.

 

[KBaden145]

I think this is a really accurate description. However, I don't think that this will improve as they play together more. Buddy, Isaiah, Spangs, and Jordan have played together more than any foursome in recent memory and our half-court offense has been a consistent issue the entire time.

The improvement comes as our 2nd unit and younger players find their way. Buddy, Cousins, Ryan, and Woodard are what they are which is possibly the most formidable and experienced foursome in the country.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KBaden145]

Thanks. I've often wondered what we are doing sometimes. What are the bigs' role, just picks? How do the bigs fit besides setting high picks?

The bigs, who can, will post. It isn't a huge part of any of their games except for AK, as he is the only true 5 on the team right now. In this offense, it's never 'just' setting screens for the posts. Those screens free shooters and drivers but also set up screen and roll/pick and pop opportunities. Spangler is fantastic in this role and is an excellent distributor from the high post. Nothing is wrong with what we do offensively. We need to get better movement at times and take better care of possessions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KBaden145]

We will continue to struggle at times in the half court offense until LK starts running actual plays, instead of just the regular motion offense that forces the guys to create for themselves.

Maybe we'll see more of it in Big 12 play, but it's not something LK does frequently in the past.

He runs plays out of timeouts and at various times during the game. You can also adapt motion to attack certain areas of the floor. With the team we have, he is using a lot of movement to free players at the mid post area to attack into the lane or hit open shooters with diagonal passes either to the ball side or opposite as they enter the lane. Lon trusts his shooters as much or more than any coach I've seen up close. Honestly I do t blame him with the way we've shot it for much of the season. The fact is they have lots of good options right now. They have to decide who the best options are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk