Hello fellow Sooner bball fans. New poster here. Been following the board for a little while and wanted to join on the discussion. I love basketball, especially the mighty Sooners. I don't get to watch many Sooner games as I'm very busy for work, but I try to keep up as much as I can. Alot of what I've gathered from the season has been from this board. I don't take it super seriously as I understand most of these dudes playing are just kids. I'm personally more concerned with if they can graduate college and be productive members of society than what type of basketball players they are. Nevertheless, I still enjoy the sport! Just keep that in mind.
Thoughts on the season:
Porter Moser hire:
Wasn't super excited at first. I recently graduated from a school in the Missouri Valley Conference so I've followed that conference for the past few years. Good conference but the competition isn't near the Big 12 imo. I've always thought Porter Moser was a good coach for Loyola, and it's hard to argue he wasn't. With that being said I felt like he was a gamble. If he can elevate his coaching to the Big 12 level then Oklahoma is close to contending for a Big 12 title. His energy and passion is what you need for that (something Lon maybe was lacking the last few years). BUT, on the flip side. If he can't, then it could be a very rough few years. The Big 12 is just brutal, and you need good coaching and athletes to consistently compete. We've seen what can happen if you don't. That's not knocking on the guy or on the hire. It's just the reality of Big 12 basketball. With all that being said, he obviously deserves more time. I think next year will be a much better indication of his coaching ability in the Big 12. He'll have a full offseason, players he knows, time to reflect, etc. I'm leaning towards he's going to be better.
The current roster:
Just not quite enough talent. I think most Sooner fans can see that. Guys play hard, but seems like they're one guy away. Maybe the Johnson kid could have been that guy but we'll never know.
I'm definitely disappointed in the Groves brothers. But they were kinda a gamble too. I think Tanner would be awesome off the bench, but I don't think the team is in a great spot when he is your starting center and relying on him to defend the really good big men. Not in the Big 12 anywho. I don't think, from what I've seen, Jacob is a Big 12 caliber player. I could be wrong so don't be afraid to correct me on that.
I think that's what it boils down to. OU basketball is starting payers who would be off the bench for the top teams in the league (KU, Texas, Tech, Baylor). And we fans want Oklahoma to be in the top of the league.
I know some people have complained that Moser wasn't able to produce the way Tech, and Texas were able to. But for some reason it seems like their basketball program is in better shape than Oklahoma's. Seems like their talent level is higher. Not sure why.
Postseason:
I will consider this season a success if they can finish with 16-17 wins. Unfortunately, I don't think this team is a tournament team. I definitely had high hopes after the Iowa State game, but the reality of the Big 12 has set in. I think they can beat Iowa State in Ames and West Virginia, and Oklahoma State at home. I'll be fine with that. Again, next year will be more telling of the future of Oklahoma basketball for me.
Next Year:
I think they will be better. Not entirely sure how but I think they will be. I think the incoming freshman will add to the talent level and Cortes and Noland will be much improved. Hill can be a solid player, and so can Tanner (when in the right role).I think Mawein COULD be a difference maker. The key is finding a starting level caliber big man imo. A guy athletic enough to compete with big men from the Big 12. He doesn't have to be a world breaker. I would be okay if Harkless, Gibson, Mason, Jacob and Issanza move on. Free up some scholarships for maybe better guys. Hopefully there isn't a shock transfer that really shakes everything up.
Ultimately, I'm just ready for OU basketball to make that next step. Go from a consistent middle of the pack Big 12 team to top three or four. I don't think that's too much to ask for. Hopefully Moser and his guys can get it done, but we'll have to see.
Thank you for reading and feel free to correct me on anything you think I'm wrong on! I look forward to discussing basketball on the board!
Thoughts on the season:
Porter Moser hire:
Wasn't super excited at first. I recently graduated from a school in the Missouri Valley Conference so I've followed that conference for the past few years. Good conference but the competition isn't near the Big 12 imo. I've always thought Porter Moser was a good coach for Loyola, and it's hard to argue he wasn't. With that being said I felt like he was a gamble. If he can elevate his coaching to the Big 12 level then Oklahoma is close to contending for a Big 12 title. His energy and passion is what you need for that (something Lon maybe was lacking the last few years). BUT, on the flip side. If he can't, then it could be a very rough few years. The Big 12 is just brutal, and you need good coaching and athletes to consistently compete. We've seen what can happen if you don't. That's not knocking on the guy or on the hire. It's just the reality of Big 12 basketball. With all that being said, he obviously deserves more time. I think next year will be a much better indication of his coaching ability in the Big 12. He'll have a full offseason, players he knows, time to reflect, etc. I'm leaning towards he's going to be better.
The current roster:
Just not quite enough talent. I think most Sooner fans can see that. Guys play hard, but seems like they're one guy away. Maybe the Johnson kid could have been that guy but we'll never know.
I'm definitely disappointed in the Groves brothers. But they were kinda a gamble too. I think Tanner would be awesome off the bench, but I don't think the team is in a great spot when he is your starting center and relying on him to defend the really good big men. Not in the Big 12 anywho. I don't think, from what I've seen, Jacob is a Big 12 caliber player. I could be wrong so don't be afraid to correct me on that.
I think that's what it boils down to. OU basketball is starting payers who would be off the bench for the top teams in the league (KU, Texas, Tech, Baylor). And we fans want Oklahoma to be in the top of the league.
I know some people have complained that Moser wasn't able to produce the way Tech, and Texas were able to. But for some reason it seems like their basketball program is in better shape than Oklahoma's. Seems like their talent level is higher. Not sure why.
Postseason:
I will consider this season a success if they can finish with 16-17 wins. Unfortunately, I don't think this team is a tournament team. I definitely had high hopes after the Iowa State game, but the reality of the Big 12 has set in. I think they can beat Iowa State in Ames and West Virginia, and Oklahoma State at home. I'll be fine with that. Again, next year will be more telling of the future of Oklahoma basketball for me.
Next Year:
I think they will be better. Not entirely sure how but I think they will be. I think the incoming freshman will add to the talent level and Cortes and Noland will be much improved. Hill can be a solid player, and so can Tanner (when in the right role).I think Mawein COULD be a difference maker. The key is finding a starting level caliber big man imo. A guy athletic enough to compete with big men from the Big 12. He doesn't have to be a world breaker. I would be okay if Harkless, Gibson, Mason, Jacob and Issanza move on. Free up some scholarships for maybe better guys. Hopefully there isn't a shock transfer that really shakes everything up.
Ultimately, I'm just ready for OU basketball to make that next step. Go from a consistent middle of the pack Big 12 team to top three or four. I don't think that's too much to ask for. Hopefully Moser and his guys can get it done, but we'll have to see.
Thank you for reading and feel free to correct me on anything you think I'm wrong on! I look forward to discussing basketball on the board!
