Expectations

[Chaser728]

I rarely have commented on this board, but I would say that I check it once a day... I have thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and discussion; and many props need to be given to this board's administrators & William Jennings for all they do to keep us informed! Now on to my comment about expectations...

On thanksgiving night I sat down with my Dad and my brother and turned on the game, just to see if we could hang with a major conference opponent. I did at that time expect we would hang with them, but could not ever think we would play as well as we did against them. Then on Friday Night watching us put it on Santa Clara in the first half and hang on to win when we faced adversity, let's just say that my expectations changed a lot. And of course last night, I was fully expecting the same team that we saw on Thursday and Friday. And obviously we did not see the same team.

I think in reality we are probably more like the team we saw on Thursday and Friday, but that team still probably wouldn't have beaten the Bilikins and the refs that were on the floor yesterday. As I sit here today, my expectations are way higher than they were on Thursday and I truly believe that we are a middle of the pack team in this year's Big XII. As one of the announcers said last night, "OU is way ahead of schedule!"

I am wondering though, what are your expectations for the rest of the season, now we have played 5 games... I know you may not be able to tell yet, but what is your forecast for the season with the information you currently have? I am excited to see this team fight, and I am very proud to be a fan of OU basketball! My prediction is that we will win 20 games and slide into the tourney because of a few upsets (Arky, Texas @ home, KU @ home & Baylor @ home).

 

[seniorsooner]

I'm not ready to start making NCAA tourney predictions yet. I still think that our lack of inside strength/size/depth is going to again be a significant weakness. I'm going to say that after Big 12 tourney weekend we will be sitting at 19 wins and we'll snag a birth in the NIT.

 

[BigTime]

I feel like we have the depth and coaching to make it to the NIT this year. I know that is not what we all want or expect of Sooner basketball, but I was doubting we would even make the NIT this offseason.

Grooms is very solid.
Arent can give decent minutes.
Osby is as advertised.
Pledger looks to be improved.
Newell can score better than I thought.

The only guy that is really playing worse than I thought he would is Blair. But I think Carl is just going through a funk right now...

 

[brumFTW]

I am very impressed with this team so far. That said, if we want to compete in the big 12, our execution in halfcourt sets needs to improve. Last night we managed to play fairly good defense for the majority of the game, but we were almost incapable of creating easy baskets. It seemed like the majority of our points came from difficult shots made from one-on-one plays.

 

[campbest]

I expect a NIT berth, anything less would be unacceptable in my book.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

i hope arent not being able to finish at the basket is just a fluke so far

 

[PeteHoops]

A NIT berth would be a step in the right direction. It's very hard to go from consecutive losing seasons to the dance. I just want to see growth, which is something we've not seen in two years.

 

[DenverSooner]

I feel like we have the depth and coaching to make it to the NIT this year. I know that is not what we all want or expect of Sooner basketball, but I was doubting we would even make the NIT this offseason.

Grooms is very solid.
Arent can give decent minutes.
Osby is as advertised.
Pledger looks to be improved.
Newell can score better than I thought.

The only guy that is really playing worse than I thought he would is Blair. But I think Carl is just going through a funk right now...

I agree and would add that I think Neal is playing descent and will contribute this year. I know some people were down on him after the first game but I think he is a kid that will be able to help this team.

I really hope to see Fitzgerald score in double figures and improve his rebounding and defense. (I don't think he will score as much and I really don't think Kruger expects him to). I really think he will be better for two reasons. First, he was all OU had last year, particularly on the offensive end in the paint. As a result, I think he had to conserve energy on the defensive end. I think OU will be able to rest him this year and he will not be expected to score as much. Therefore, I think he will be better defensively and on the boards. Second, I think having a year of starting Big XII experience is big for any player. Therefore, I think he will have some natural improvement that we would have seen even if we had the identical team.

 

[Soonerspiff]

I think OU can get to .500 in conference, even though it'll be tough - Mizzou, KU and Baylor all being solid this year.

I expect OU to make the NIT. I feel like anything less would be a disappointment.

But after everything is said and done we'll probably make some kind of postseason.

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

18-12, 8-10 in conference...NIT berth

 

[Chiefdaddy]

I think that we need to temper the expectations. I love how we are playing defense this year. So much better than last year. We are still undersized and once conference starts the wins might not be coming our way. The Big 12 is tough this year and add in the round robin format and there are no easy wins. No Colorado's or Nebraska's on the schedule as well.

 

[DenverSooner]

18-12, 8-10 in conference...NIT berth

I would be pretty happy with that.

 

[psk2080]

While I agree that I would be pleased if we come close to breaking even in conference play and have 18-20 wins and an NIT berth, I can't help but remember some of Kelvin's teams that had 17 or 18 wins and got into the NCAA. I also remember Kelvin's first time that didn't have alot of size or depth but played hard and overachieved and went 24-9. But that team also had Ryan Minor. I'm not sure this team has a player that can carry it on his back the way Ryan did that year.

 

[OUsky]

I said 20 wins before the season and I am sticking to it... with one more win in the Big 12 tournament. 10 non-conference wins and 10 conference wins and 1 win in tournament... 21-11.

 

[ArdmoreSooner]

I am guessing around 17 wins. A few more than last year. If we had last years schedule I think we get closer to 20. Couple more non conference games last year that you can schedule wins and Big XII was easier. I think improvement is obvious to everyone that has watched them. I think the NIT is obtainable if they play decent in conference. I would be pleased just to be mentioned on the bubble late in the year and get to play postseason. I think that will prove to recruits that they can expect to go to the Dance in the future and also that violations won't hurt us. Sets up a good 2013 class and puts us back in the running with top of the league. I think Kruger will have us rebuilt in 3 years. NIT this year and then 2 straight Tournaments.

 

[AdaSooner]

I believe this team has the ingredients to get a NIT bid. Anything beyond that will more than exceed any expectation I've had since before the season began.