Everyone take a step back from the ledge...

C

Chaser728

New member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
693
Reaction score
0
and take a deep breath. The game isn't even over and I am already writing this. The reality is, we knew we could have some games where we just go cold offensively. We knew this 7 game stretch was going to be a tough one and to have already won 2 of them says that we still have a chance to make the dance. A loss like this, as bad as it is, does not mean that we are NIT bound. It is what it is... They shot around 50% from the field, over 40% from 3pt range and we were just 30% and 15% respectively. We just laid a stinker, and I think that this team will respond in kind. The bad news: we play KU on Saturday... The good news: we have 4 days to prepare, instead of just 2. The other good news is that the toughest part of our schedule is behind us, as of Saturday, and we still have 20+ wins within grasp. Sure this team needs to do some real soul searching between now and then, but hey, I believe in this team!
 
Bridge-jumper.gif
 
This one was for me more than anyone else! I need to preach to myself just a little bit!
 
Yes I understand about the shooting but the offensive flow and lack of energy is what was so pathetic. There was one point where we had 3 guys just standing there at the top of the key bunched together looking at the other two guys... Where did the half court offense go? Movement, screens, etc. I've been trying to stay upbeat and excited but that was a pathetic display, and worrisome. Trying not to knee jerk, but that was awful...
 
Stikboy said:
Yes I understand about the shooting but the offensive flow and lack of energy is what was so pathetic. There was one point where we had 3 guys just standing there at the top of the key bunched together looking at the other two guys... Where did the half court offense go? Movement, screens, etc. I've been trying to stay upbeat and excited but that was a pathetic display, and worrisome. Trying not to knee jerk, but that was awful...
Click to expand...

I know... They just didn't give effort. That is alarming, but as you said, I am hopeful that this was merely an anomaly.
 
This is me being overly optimistic, but I was thinking about this a few minutes ago... If we could go back to the beginning of the season and poll everyone what they would be thinking; if at the midway point of conference play we would be 6 wins away from 20; and standing with a 5-5 league record with 4 of those 5 losses being to KU & KSU. With 3 games still to be played against TTU & TCU.

I think I would have pretty happy with that result. Just some positive thoughts.
 
Need to put a tire up to shoot at. No consistent shooters on this team. How about 1 recruit, 1 player whose D is questionable but can light it game after game. If OU is going to play like Michigan State or Wisconsin on offense then the D has to improve dramatically. BB D sometimes looks like the FB D.
 
"standing with a 5-5 league record with 4 of those 5 losses being to KU & KSU"

Agreed. I think considering we've played 4 games against the two best teams in the conference and 2 road games against other top teams in the conference, we're not in bad shape. On top of that, our RPI is still in the 20s. We must regroup and get some momentum on offense though, otherwise it'll be a long season. But, I don't see any of the final 8 games that we can't win. I'm not saying they'll be easy games, but winning 5 or 6 if we play like we did to start Big 12 play is very doable IMO. Of course, everything I said is a moot point if we don't play much better than we did tonight. But, watching this team play so far this season, I'm willing to believe tonight was an anomaly.
 
Sports seasons are a roller coaster. Everyone knew this part of the schedule was going to be the toughest.

The road win at Baylor was a really good win but it was a little bit of fools gold. This team is going to struggle against the better teams and the Cyclones are terrific at home.

It may be worse on Saturday when KU comes in but then if LK can keep the ship afloat, the season will turn around a bit as the last really tough road game is at OSU.
 
It seems to me the entire issue is Kruger is not getting what he wants from his pg. Look at minutes played on the season. He started out playing Cousins a lot. He transitioned to Hornbeak with Grooms getting about half the game. He went away from Grooms for a couple of games. Last night he started Grooms but played Cousins more than either Grooms or Hornbeak. I think this is going to continue to be an issue for OU this season, however, I think this issue is solved for next season because I think Woodard is the OU pg of the future. I am sure Woodard will have some struggles but he will have Hornbeak and Cousins to help him through those times and it will be very hard to Press OU next year because the team will likely have 3 guys that handle the ball pretty well on the court at most times in the game.
 
We aren't near as good as people thought a couple weeks ago and near as bad as some here probably think now. We are very average with probably slightly below average talent overall. I think we are the young guys growing up and another good recruiting class away from being above average to really good. But this team still has a shot at making the NCAA Tournament.
 
DenverSooner said:
It seems to me the entire issue is Kruger is not getting what he wants from his pg. Look at minutes played on the season. He started out playing Cousins a lot. He transitioned to Hornbeak with Grooms getting about half the game. He went away from Grooms for a couple of games. Last night he started Grooms but played Cousins more than either Grooms or Hornbeak. I think this is going to continue to be an issue for OU this season, however, I think this issue is solved for next season because I think Woodard is the OU pg of the future. I am sure Woodard will have some struggles but he will have Hornbeak and Cousins to help him through those times and it will be very hard to Press OU next year because the team will likely have 3 guys that handle the ball pretty well on the court at most times in the game.
Click to expand...

This is the biggest issue with our team IMO. We shoot okay for a team relying on so many young guards. We don't really play bad defense for the most part. Didn't play good on D last night though. We need to get a PG that can be a true point. This will only help Cousins and Hornbeak become better in their roles as 2 guards.
 
The realistic goal of this group is to make the dance and they are very much on track to do that. There was too much give up displayed last night but there is no reason to leap off that ledge unless you were thinking sweet 16 then go on and take that dive because you're delusional.
 
Another big issue in the last two games has been horrible shooting. OU's top 4 scorers have shot below 30% in the last two games. Honeslty, I don't think that can continue on the season. KU is the best team in the conference and the guys shot 7% better against KU (which was still too low). I think the shooting will pick up significantly in the last 8 games of the season. The toughest games down the stretch are ISU in Norman and OSU on the road. Even if OU loses to KU it is still very possible for OU to win 10-12 conference games. Given the results over the last 3 years, that is an outstanding turn around. It will absolutely put OU in the NIT and give them a shot to make the NCAA.
 
LOLthis is so funny. I predicted this earlier in the season. Everyone is on a high after big wins and gets their hopes up only to jump off the ledge after a rough loss. Then we will have a big win and they will be back up praising Kruger
 
Nah, ledge stepping was back when Geoff was "coach." I am happy with any type of postseason berth this season, and the NCAAs would just be a bonus for me.

Besides, we're about to beat KU. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Sooner Season
I shouldn't take too much from the Bama loss?
2
Replies
22
Views
672
jdizzle34
J
C
Terminate Men's Basketball until a New Stadium Built
Replies
12
Views
338
cowboysooner
C
Sooner04
A Rainy Night in Fort Worth
2 3
Replies
51
Views
2K
mict085
mict085
C
Moser's personality affecting the team
Replies
15
Views
528
CanadaSooner23
C
C
Irony
Replies
1
Views
238
BossFan64
B
Back
Top