Depth

[BigTime]

I was looking back at the Sooners conference losses last season and outside of 1 or 2 (Mizzou for sure) games, the team was either leading at halftime or within 3 points. The second halves of those games usually had the other team going on a crushing run midway into the half and winning the game by double digits.

I am really hoping that the depth this year will lead to 3 more conference wins that we wouldn't have had last season. Add in the talent infusion and hopefully that gets us to 10-8 or 11-7 and into the big dance.

Thoughts?

 

[Chaser728]

I think you hit it right on the head... Last year we ran out of gas and just could not compete for both halves... I am hopeful that you are right!

 

[brumFTW]

If I remember correctly, we would have beaten Mizzou at home if we had shot our season average from the free throw line. We also played Baylor exceptionally close for long stretches (helped by the fact that Drew is incompetent). It seems to me that with our current depth we should improve our conference record by a decent margin.

 

[AdaSooner]

I think you hit it right on the head... Last year we ran out of gas and just could not compete for both halves... I am hopeful that you are right!

Agreed. It went beyond running out of gas, though. We essentially had five players (Fitz, Osby, Pledger, Clark and Grooms) who were capable of competing with most of the teams on our schedule, at least for a half or so. The talent level dropped appreciably when we had to go to our bench. That's why I said more than once last year that "quality" depth was our biggest weakness.

Think about it. The next five players on our roster included Neal, Blair, Washington, Honore' and Arent. If you grade this year's rotation from 1 through 11, with one being the best, two of those players would likely be at the #10 and #11 spots this season. That's not a knock on Tyler and Casey, it's just a fact. And, that, with both players (especially Tyler) showing some improvement since last year.

I'll add one more thing. Does anyone really believe that Washington, Honore' and Blair would even sniff the floor this season? Definitely not me.

We have seen a serious upgrade in the quality of our depth this year. I honestly believe that our win against WVU yesterday would have been a loss last season. There is no way we could have continued to play at a high level with six players in foul trouble (three finished the game with 4 and three others had 3 each) with the lack of depth we had last season.

 

[tycat947]

Agreed. It went beyond running out of gas, though. We essentially had five players (Fitz, Osby, Pledger, Clark and Grooms) who were capable of competing with most of the teams on our schedule, at least for a half or so. The talent level dropped appreciably when we had to go to our bench. That's why I said more than once last year that "quality" depth was our biggest weakness.

Think about it. The next five players on our roster included Neal, Blair, Washington, Honore' and Arent. If you grade this year's rotation from 1 through 11, with one being the best, two of those players would likely be at the #10 and #11 spots this season. That's not a knock on Tyler and Casey, it's just a fact. And, that, with both players (especially Tyler) showing some improvement since last year.

I'll add one more thing. Does anyone really believe that Washington, Honore' and Blair would even sniff the floor this season? Definitely not me.

We have seen a serious upgrade in the quality of our depth this year. I honestly believe that our win against WVU yesterday would have been a loss last season. There is no way we could have continued to play at a high level with six players in foul trouble (three finished the game with 4 and three others had 3 each) with the lack of depth we had last season.

:clap:clap:clap

 

[ArdmoreSooner]

Completely agree as well. Depth will be a big help this year and will also allow those freshman who aren't use to the grind to not hit the wall in late February as is customary. They won't have to play 35 minutes a game. It also allows for Pledger to be off and not kill us, which I thought was good that we went 2-1 in Orlando and he never really shot well. I am really hoping for 10-8 in conference and sneaking in on bubble. That and a win in tournament should make us get in the tourney.