Did anyone picture the season going like this?

[WTSooner]

We weren't playing well without woodard but that was kind of expected. But once he was out, it was obvious what the main problem was with this team

Against decent competition:

With Woodard -
NI - L
Clemson - W
Wisky - L
WSU - L
Memphis - L

Without Woodard -
5 L's

Would our record REALLY be that different with Woodard around for those 5 games? Probably not. Maybe we win one of them. If your point is that we'd have played better with him over those 5 games? Fine, I agree. If you are trying to say our record would be better, by more than maybe one game, I disagree, and provide the evidence from above.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

Against decent competition:

With Woodard -
NI - L
Clemson - W
Wisky - L
WSU - L
Memphis - L

Without Woodard -
5 L's

Would our record REALLY be that different with Woodard around for those 5 games? Probably not. Maybe we win one of them. If your point is that we'd have played better with him over those 5 games? Fine, I agree. If you are trying to say our record would be better, by more than maybe one game, I disagree, and provide the evidence from above.

We would've beaten Auburn and TCU with Woodard in the lineup more than likely, Baylor and KU still losses, KSU probably still an L but at least a shot, so we'd at least be 8-7 and not a complete dumpster fire.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

I think everyone needs to step back from the ledge though. McGusty is going to be good, Doolittle is too. Shepard and Freeman aren't bad pieces.

What we really need is a stud (Trae Young) to come in and solidify this group. The worst part about this season is it may cost us Young's signature, and that will be a shame because I think the next 2-3 years we'd be really good with him. If we lose out on Pritchard and Young it will sting.

James and Lattin have been the big disappointments to me. Just low basketball IQ plays and no composure. They don't play like they have experience, and yes I know James doesn't have a ton, but he should've settled in by now.

 

[OUHoops]

I'm usually more pessimistic than most. I thought they'd be on the bubble. I did not expect James to struggle like this, at all, but I've never been a believer that Lattin would be a go-to scorer.

I love a good meltdown and see many problems going forward, but I'm still standing on the ledge, even though the record isn't good, because they've competed and had chances in just about every game but Baylor, right?

The biggest problem I see is that there are a lot of options and none of them truly seem to be stepping up to cement themselves into a set rotation. And because there are so many substitutions, and options, it's hard for any group to find consistency with each other.

I want to see a rotation get settled, but I can see why it's a tough spot for Lon. I'm sure he wants the same. It looks like it's going to take all season to get it figured out. Just so many options. For example, Buford came off the bench last night and was all over the floor. Then he never got much play in the second half. Again, just so many options guys get forgotten about.

McGusty is showing signs and I think McNeace has showed improvement. Everyone else has been disappointing. Well, Odomes is the best perimeter defender and glue guy and creator. He just can't shoot. Obviously, Woodard should be in there if healthy. Anyway...

At some point though this "young/talented" team needs to pull off some big wins. They played well for about 35 minutes last night. I'm sure they will get it done at some point, but it's obviously going to take some time.

 

[OUHoops]

I'm usually more pessimistic than most. I thought they'd be on the bubble. I did not expect James to struggle like this, at all, but I've never been a believer that Lattin would be a go-to scorer.

It makes sense though as to why James has struggled. With the role reversal and all.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I do find it humorous that this board had a couple of threads about the football team and people giving up on that team and then bam, they sweep through the Big 12 and finish in the top 5.

To me, it's not even close. OU fball had a lot of pieces back. being 1-2 out of a 12 to 13 game season is similar to being 3-7 out of 30 games....bball isn't there..yet but getting close.

IF OU can get to .500 in conf I'll be surprised...and happy. Def believe we have some talented guys...just not there yet.

Jackson..for ku. Fr as well, but has 3 other starters that are Jr or Sr to guide him. just the hand we are dealt with Coach K getting lesser talent and developing it over years...they all graduate some day.

 

[SoonerDan74012]

0-16.

Come down off the ledge.

What have you seen from this group that makes you think they can win another damn game????

 

[SoonerBounce13]

What have you seen from this group that makes you think they can win another damn game????

well, to look at things optomistically.....progress is made every game.
In confrence, we have played the #1 & #2 teams in the country and then a tough and experienced ksu team in manhattan. Thats a tough start and we were in two of those three games.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

The biggest problem I see is that there are a lot of options and none of them truly seem to be stepping up to cement themselves into a set rotation. And because there are so many substitutions, and options, it's hard for any group to find consistency with each other.

This is what I see too, a bunch of solid pieces, but nobody is cementing themselves as the 8 man rotation this year, everyone shows flashes of good and terrible. Everyone has a skill, but then also has a glaring weakness. Lon has accumulated some talent, but we need that "guy" to come in a glue this team together, ala Hield, Griffin. Trae Young could be that guy. Lon needs to figure out what his vision and plan is with this group, and that may leave some guys on the bench just due to not being a fit, but the whole team and strategy seems to be discombobulated this year.

 

[WTSooner]

What have you seen from this group that makes you think they can win another damn game????

About 30 minutes of last night's game?

This team isn't going to lose out. Zero chance of that.

 

[Big Old Booger]

This is what I see too, a bunch of solid pieces, but nobody is cementing themselves as the 8 man rotation this year, everyone shows flashes of good and terrible. Everyone has a skill, but then also has a glaring weakness. Lon has accumulated some talent, but we need that "guy" to come in a glue this team together, ala Hield, Griffin. Trae Young could be that guy. Lon needs to figure out what his vision and plan is with this group, and that may leave some guys on the bench just due to not being a fit, but the whole team and strategy seems to be discombobulated this year.

Well, his rotation so far is something I can't seem to understand.

For instance, last night, we had Woodard, Shepard, McGusty, Buford and I think McNeace to finish the first half when we were playing really well. To start the 2nd half, he has Strong-Moore, Lattin, Odomes, and 2 others and we couldn't score.

 

[chuckb]

What have you seen from this group that makes you think they can win another damn game????

Most of nearly every game they've played. Woodard's back. Doolittle and McGusty are coming on. The talent this team has.

They play Tech at home Saturday, right? I think they win Saturday. If so, your 0-16 prognostication is going to appear even more ridiculous than it looks right now. Will you be willing to show back up Sunday and admit how ridiculous your statement was if they do win Saturday? I'll be willing to state in March that I was foolish for thinking they'd win a game if they don't.

 

[chuckb]

This is what I see too, a bunch of solid pieces, but nobody is cementing themselves as the 8 man rotation this year, everyone shows flashes of good and terrible. Everyone has a skill, but then also has a glaring weakness. Lon has accumulated some talent, but we need that "guy" to come in a glue this team together, ala Hield, Griffin. Trae Young could be that guy. Lon needs to figure out what his vision and plan is with this group, and that may leave some guys on the bench just due to not being a fit, but the whole team and strategy seems to be discombobulated this year.

I disagree with this. With Woodard back, I'm starting to see a definite 8 man rotation.

You've got Woodard, McGusty, Odomes, Doolittle, and Lattin. James and McNeace should get plenty of minutes. Then you can give a few minutes to Strong-Moore and/or Shepherd at the point and 4-5 to Freeman at the 4.

More importantly, however, the strategy is is a long-term one. He's playing guys to given them experience and let them play themselves into or out of the rotation, both this year and down the line. The primary strategy at this point shouldn't be to maximize wins this year. The primary strategy should be to maximize wins next year and the year after and maybe that means giving Freeman or McNeace a few more minutes than you think he should.

 

[SoonerDan74012]

Most of nearly every game they've played. Woodard's back. Doolittle and McGusty are coming on. The talent this team has.

They play Tech at home Saturday, right? I think they win Saturday. If so, your 0-16 prognostication is going to appear even more ridiculous than it looks right now. Will you be willing to show back up Sunday and admit how ridiculous your statement was if they do win Saturday? I'll be willing to state in March that I was foolish for thinking they'd win a game if they don't.

What talent do you see out there??? If they had talent, they wouldn't be blowing 20 point leads, committing unforced turnovers 20 times a game, missing layups 15 times a game, missing free throws, and the list goes on and on.

They're just gonna have to prove it to me at this point. There is just way too much stupidity out on that court right now for me to sit here and believe they'll magically figure things out and reel off 10 straight wins.

 

[Big Old Booger]

What talent do you see out there??? If they had talent, they wouldn't be blowing 20 point leads, committing unforced turnovers 20 times a game, missing layups 15 times a game, missing free throws, and the list goes on and on.

They're just gonna have to prove it to me at this point. There is just way too much stupidity out on that court right now for me to sit here and believe they'll magically figure things out and reel off 10 straight wins.

They have talent or they wouldn't be able to build the 20 point leads. The problem is we lost 3 seniors who each played a bazillion minutes the last 4 years. This will happen when you lose guys like Hield, Spangler and Cousins.

Now, I'm shocked we are as bad as we have played in spurts. I never saw this coming.

I was a huge Kelvin Sampson fan and I think it's fair to say we were lucky to have had him in Norman. He created tourney teams every year by piecing together the right players with the right schemes to win games. As great of a coach is Lon Kruger, I think it's safe to say what Kelvin did is remarkable.

 

[coolm]

If they had talent, they wouldn't be blowing 20 point leads, committing unforced turnovers 20 times a game, missing layups 15 times a game, missing free throws, and the list goes on and on.

They're just gonna have to prove it to me at this point. There is just way too much stupidity out on that court right now for me to sit here and believe they'll magically figure things out and reel off 10 straight wins.

and? what if they don't? what if they never sniff another win this season?

I know I will still be a fan. I will still be looking to gauge their improvement. I will be happy we have coach there, with all of his experience, to drag them together further and refine their skills.

So what?

 

[MsProudSooner]

Any time you have a team with only 1 senior and one junior (jc juniors don't count as upper class men in my opinion) you have the potential for your team not having as good of a season as it looks like they should on paper

 

[Max Power]

I thought we would be alot like Buddy's freshman year. a 8-10 seed with a shot at winning 1.

 

[chuckb]

What talent do you see out there??? If they had talent, they wouldn't be blowing 20 point leads, committing unforced turnovers 20 times a game, missing layups 15 times a game, missing free throws, and the list goes on and on.

They're just gonna have to prove it to me at this point. There is just way too much stupidity out on that court right now for me to sit here and believe they'll magically figure things out and reel off 10 straight wins.

Because that's totally the argument you made when you said they would go 0-16.

As I read more and more of these posts, I become less and less surprised that there are so many here who, when they watch a game, only see the negative stuff. The team played the #1 team in the country last night, a very good team and national championship contender, and only turned the ball over 14 times. For all the whining on nearly every thread about turnovers, that's below the NCAA average and only 1 more than they averaged last year when they went to the Final 4.

I, too, see the negatives but I also see the team's potential, lots of which was on display last night. Agree with that or not but it didn't go unnoticed that you elected not to be willing to eat crow if OU beats Tech Saturday.

These players are getting better. The team is getting better and they got Woodard back. That you can't see that is your problem but I hope you'll still be around when this team is good again. It's not nearly as far away as you think.

 

[sooner 1234]

Against decent competition:

With Woodard -
NI - L
Clemson - W
Wisky - L
WSU - L
Memphis - L

Without Woodard -
5 L's

Would our record REALLY be that different with Woodard around for those 5 games? Probably not. Maybe we win one of them. If your point is that we'd have played better with him over those 5 games? Fine, I agree. If you are trying to say our record would be better, by more than maybe one game, I disagree, and provide the evidence from above.

You think we should go into Madison and win with 2 upperclassman scholarship players ??

Same with Memphis . We almost lost to them last season with a final four team .

We lose 3 studs, who were 3 and 4 year starters ....two were drafted NBA players , not to mention or of them was the best player in college basketball.

Our only other returning starter who is big 12 good has been hurt and missed multiple games .

We have two scholarship upperclassman , and relying on freshman /Sophs to be leaders .


I honestly think some of you live on fantasy island