EJ to the portal

[NickZepp]

Well hopefully we get more from the portal than last year.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[NickZepp]

EJ was a good player, and I appreciate his contribution to the team the past two years. We’ll definitely miss him as an experienced defender.

But, let’s be honest here. He was a good but by no means, great player. If we can’t replace his 10 points and 4 rebounds averages, we’re in big trouble.

I think we all agree he had too many turnovers (58). So, why are some of you seemingly troubled by the news that EJ entered the transfer portal? I wish him well, but I’m not going to pretend that I’m sorry to see him go.

The only issue is I'm not sure we'll get someone as athletic as he was.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[WichitaSooner]

The only issue is I'm not sure we'll get someone as athletic as he was.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Is he that good an athlete? I can’t think of a single play he made where his athletic ability really stood out. In fact, he had a handful of breakaways where he either laid it in or barely dunked. I don’t think he is a bad athlete, but definitely don’t feel like he is significantly above average for a P5 wing.

 

[skyvue]

But, let’s be honest here. He was a good but by no means, great player. If we can’t replace his 10 points and 4 rebounds averages, we’re in big trouble.

I think we all agree he had too many turnovers (58). So, why are some of you seemingly troubled by the news that EJ entered the transfer portal? I wish him well, but I’m not going to pretend that I’m sorry to see him go.

The perception seems to be that Harless was an outlier in the turnover category, the worst offender in that regard, but the truth is, just about every player on the team had too many turnovers:

Cortes -- 50 in 349 minutes (TO every 7 minutes of action)

Johnson -- 23 in 211 minutes (TO every 9.2 minutes)

Chargois -- 43 in 449 minutes (TO every 10.4 minutes)

Harkless -- 58 in 753 minutes (TO every 13 minutes)

TGroves -- 60 in 846 minutes (TO every 14.1 minutes)

Goldwire -- 74 in 1,051 minutes (TO every 14.2 minutes)

Noland -- 26 in 415 minutes (TO every 16 minutes)

Gibson -- 65 in 1,123 minutes (TO every 17.3 minutes)

Hill -- 58 in 1,067 minutes (TO every 18.4 minutes)

JGroves -- 23 in 591 minutes (TO every 25.7 minutes)


Jacob Groves was the best in the category, and while I hope and expect he will improve as a player over the next couple of years, if forced to choose between having him or Harkless on next year's team, I'd opt for Harkless without hesitation.

As for the ease of finding a guy in the portal who can be counted on to match or exceed EJ's points a game, of the seven players Coach Moser brought in from the portal last season, just two averaged 10 points a game and neither was much better as regards turnovers: Goldwire (11) and T-Groves (14).

 

[AdaSooner]

The perception seems to be that Harless was an outlier in the turnover category, the worst offender in that regard, but the truth is, just about every player on the team had too many turnovers:

Cortes -- 50 in 349 minutes (TO every 7 minutes of action)

Johnson -- 23 in 211 minutes (TO every 9.2 minutes)
H
Chargois -- 43 in 449 minutes (TO every 10.4 minutes)

Harkless -- 58 in 753 minutes (TO every 13 minutes)

TGroves -- 60 in 846 minutes (TO every 14.1 minutes)

Goldwire -- 74 in 1,051 minutes (TO every 14.2 minutes)

Noland -- 26 in 415 minutes (TO every 16 minutes)

Gibson -- 65 in 1,123 minutes (TO every 17.3 minutes)

Hill -- 58 in 1,067 minutes (TO every 18.4 minutes)

JGroves -- 23 in 591 minutes (TO every 25.7 minutes)


Jacob Groves was the best in the category, and while I hope and expect he will improve as a player over the next couple of years, if forced to choose between having him or Harkless on next year's team, I'd opt for Harkless without hesitation.

I can’t disagree with anything you said, Sky! Turnovers, many of them careless, mental errors, were very costly for this team throughout the season. In EJ’s defense, I think it’s safe to assume that some of his TO’s were not his fault. Far too many passes that could easily have been an assist, resulted in turnovers.

Nice job in presenting your case!

 

[skyvue]

I can’t disagree with anything you said, Sky! Turnovers, many of them careless, mental errors, were very costly for this team throughout the season. In EJ’s defense, I think it’s safe to assume that some of his TO’s were not his fault. Far too many passes that could easily have been an assist, resulted in turnovers.

Nice job in presenting your case!

Thanks, Ada! Now we cross our fingers and wait for good news from the portal. Hopefully, there will be plenty of it!

 

[skyvue]

Oweh is the 72nd ranked player in his class, according to 247. Uzan is #52. Noland was #88, and though he certainly contributed this year, he hasn't been a difference maker yet and he caught grief from a number of posters on this board.

I should correct my above statement: ESPN has Uzan at 52, but the other services appear to have him lower --- 59 (118 composite) with 247 and 100 with Rivals (no recruitnik, I--I don't really understand that 59/118 disparity with 247).

 

[Seymore Cox]

Oklahoma played Alabama I believe in January of 2021. Reaves was out with COVID, and I remember one of the announcers saying something to the effect of: "Harkless expects this team to be his after Reaves is gone." And he was supposedly quoting Harkless. I remember being kind of surprised because I didn't think he had the talent to carry the team the way Reaves did. I think that explains some of his play this year, and the transfer if what the announcer said was true. I think he wanted (wants) to be the man on a team. So it would not surprise me if he transfers to a team to fill that role. I also think that explained some of Goldwire's play. I think he was out to prove he could be a scorer. Which I think hurt the team. So in that regard, losing Harkless may not be that bad. As a coach you want guys to buy in and accept their role. And maybe, just maybe Harkless sees either Noland or the incoming freshman OR a potential transfer as a threat to being the go to guy.

With that being said, right now, with everything we know, it is not a good loss. Yes, Sooner fans want more talent. BUT Moser and his crew have to recruit better talent. And that is obviously proving to be a difficult task. Hopefully we get some good news soon. There is no doubt Moser is working his butt off. But, if we lose a guy like Harkless, and Moser can't recruit an impact player to replace him, then it is going to spell bad news for next year. And by "bad news," I mean missing the tournament again. Not necessarily a horrible season.

You’re right on Harkless. He wanted to be the man. So did Goldwire. So did Tanner Groves. The reality was that Mo Gibson was the man and never put in a situation to be the man until late.

Harkless is down to UCLA and USC. I have no faith in Moser recruiting the portal. No faith in him recruiting high school players as well.

 

[WichitaSooner]

You’re right on Harkless. He wanted to be the man. So did Goldwire. So did Tanner Groves. The reality was that Mo Gibson was the man and never put in a situation to be the man until late.

Harkless is down to UCLA and USC. I have no faith in Moser recruiting the portal. No faith in him recruiting high school players as well.

I don't think Tanner wanted to be the man -- he didn't force bad shots or try to dominate the ball. If anything, he lost confidence and got very passive in several games.

Where did you get that intel on Harkless? He better be willing to be a role player on those teams.

 

[thebigabd]

This is a massive loss. Harkless was a really good player.

If Gibson doesn't come back... Moser better destroy the portal this year because the team is in serious trouble losing Gibson, Harkless, Chargois, Johnson, Mawien, Goldwire, etc.

In the era of the portal, your fortune can change quickly... but if OU doesn't do a good job in the portal and fills space with scabs, going to be in serious trouble.

OU is hemorrhaging talent in the portal. ACC Player of the Year (Alondes)... All ACC player who played for a national championship (Manek)... Harkless... We will see on Gibson.

They may announce 4-5 total studs.. You do have to be patient in this era, but OU is losing more than it's gaining right now.

 

[WichitaSooner]

this is a massive loss. Harkless was a really good player.

if gibson doesn't come back... Moser better destroy the portal this year because the team is in serious trouble losing gibson, harkless, chargois, johnson, mawien, goldwire, etc.

In the era of the portal, your fortune can change quickly... But if ou doesn't do a good job in the portal and fills space with scabs, going to be in serious trouble.

Ou is hemorrhaging talent in the portal. Acc player of the year (alondes)... All acc player who played for a national championship (manek)... Harkless... We will see on gibson.

They may announce 4-5 total studs.. You do have to be patient in this era, but ou is losing more than it's gaining right now.

lol.

 

[hoopsaustin]

You’re right on Harkless. He wanted to be the man. So did Goldwire. So did Tanner Groves. The reality was that Mo Gibson was the man and never put in a situation to be the man until late.

Harkless is down to UCLA and USC. I have no faith in Moser recruiting the portal. No faith in him recruiting high school players as well.

Whaaattt. We have 2 great freshman coming in.. its been 1 year man

 

[red recluse]

eh, it's no coincidence we started playing better once he went down. wish him the best.

 

[WichitaSooner]

eh, it's no coincidence we started playing better once he went down. wish him the best.

Plus one.

 

[TINY]

You’re right on Harkless. He wanted to be the man. So did Goldwire. So did Tanner Groves. The reality was that Mo Gibson was the man and never put in a situation to be the man until late.

Harkless is down to UCLA and USC. I have no faith in Moser recruiting the portal. No faith in him recruiting high school players as well.

In a turn of events that would surprise no one..this post is aging like warm mayonnaise.

 

[AdaSooner]

[/B]QUOTE=thebigabd;696203]This is a massive loss. Harkless was a really good player.

A 10 points, 4 rebs per game guy is a “massive loss”? You’re better than that, ABD!


If Gibson doesn't come back... Moser better destroy the portal this year because the team is in serious trouble losing Gibson, Harkless, Chargois, Johnson, Mawien, Goldwire, etc.

The portal didn’t have one thing to do with losing Chargois, Goldwire and Johnson! Naming them is not a good fit for your narrative.


In the era of the portal, your fortune can change quickly... but if OU doesn't do a good job in the portal and fills space with scabs, going to be in serious trouble.

OU is hemorrhaging talent in the portal. ACC Player of the Year (Alondes)... All ACC player who played for a national championship (Manek)... Harkless... We will see on Gibson.

So, now we’re “hemorrhaging talent”? My advice? Take your own advice and be patient.

There is good news on the portal thread if you haven’t seen it. Be patient. Transfer commits and visits are just getting started.

They may announce 4-5 total studs.. You do have to be patient in this era, but OU is losing more than it's gaining right now.[/QUOTE]

 

[Eielson]

If we only had one opening, I would be overjoyed to hear this news. Since we have closer to five, my reaction is more along the lines of "meh." I think we will easily find 2-3 guys that I'm more excited about, but five may be challenging.

Today's trade (Rick + EJ for Bamisile) is a big win in my book.

 

[Seymore Cox]

In a turn of events that would surprise no one..this post is aging like warm mayonnaise.

It’s based on who he brought in last year. OU gets to the tourney every year and he brought in guys who weren’t good enough…. Unless you think they were….

 

[TINY]

It’s based on who he brought in last year. OU gets to the tourney every year and he brought in guys who weren’t good enough…. Unless you think they were….

He brought in the best recruiting class we’ve signed in years. He just added a good player from the portal and has a visit set up for key. Give him some time to get more portals.

 

[AZOUFAN]

I have no hard feelings about EJ leaving (As long as he doesn't transfer to USC)