Five takeaways from the Sooners' first day of practice

That was awesome. Thanks for finding, I never would have. Great news about Shepherd. I wonder if Kruger would actually play 10 in conference..
 
Nice job by Derek Peterson! He writes better than most of the sports reporters in Oklahoma who are already doing it for a living.

Very encouraging news about several players who will be counted on to contribute in a big way this season. If Shepherd proves to be an adequate back up at the point, he could be the answer to a question we have been talking about all summer. Let's hope the reporter's assessment is accurate. Maybe one of our members can weigh in on that topic in due time.
 
I was at practice today, though I had to leave early. Shepherd was one of the guys who made me look up the roster to see - "Who just made that play?" He had active hands on defense; during the separate post/wing drills, I was mostly watching the posts, but glanced down court just in time to see him make a clean strip of James in one-on-ones. In 5-on-5 I didn't see him make many shots, but then he didn't shoot it much while I was watching. He did look like he was handling and passing the ball well.

The other newcomer who impressed me was McGusty. You. Do. Not. Leave. McGusty. Open. I don't remember seeing him miss an open 3.
 
I like the idea of Mcgusty and Odomes playing the 3. This team looks more athletic and stronger this year. Can't wait for bball to start!
 
MichaelM said:
I was at practice today, though I had to leave early. Shepherd was one of the guys who made me look up the roster to see - "Who just made that play?" He had active hands on defense; during the separate post/wing drills, I was mostly watching the posts, but glanced down court just in time to see him make a clean strip of James in one-on-ones. In 5-on-5 I didn't see him make many shots, but then he didn't shoot it much while I was watching. He did look like he was handling and passing the ball well.

The other newcomer who impressed me was McGusty. You. Do. Not. Leave. McGusty. Open. I don't remember seeing him miss an open 3.
Click to expand...

Thanks, MichaelM!

Jordan Shepherd is a good athlete and a skilled basketball player. Anyone who hasn't seen this video should be impressed by the skills he puts on display in running the offense. Be sure to watch his crossover move followed by a high-flying jam in the first minute or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjn-LcP8EFo

It should also be noted that he was the conference Player of the Year as a senior in high school, averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. His 2.1 steals per game average would explain why he showed some good hands in stripping the ball from Christian James.

Shepherd was a last minute get for OU, so nearly everyone assumed he was an afterthought who would likely need a year or two before he could make a contribution to the team. That may still be the case, but that doesn't change the fact that this kid can play!
 
Shepherd reminds me a little of Steph Curry at Dayton.
 
Can't believe that he is as good as he looks in those videos. If so how did everyone miss on this guy.
 
SoonerinNC said:
Can't believe that he is as good as he looks in those videos. If so how did everyone miss on this guy.
Click to expand...

I wondered the same thing. He appears to be one of those kids who flew under the radar. He played at a Christian Academy in Ashville at the class 2-A level. If he didn't spend any time on the AAU circuit, it's likely no one except the mid-major coaches knew about him.

His bio says he was committed to James Madison at one time, but decided to reopen his recruiting. I'm guessing he didn't get much attention for all of the reasons I stated above, not to mention the fact that he likely committed early to James Madison. But, if he's as good as he looks in the video I posted, OU might have lucked into a steal with this young man.

Here's another highlight reel I found. There are several slow-mo shots of his jumper. Watch it and you'll see that he has a nice stroke, plus he has better than average hops which allows him to elevate over the defenders. I have a feeling this highlight video was at least semi-professionally created to send out to D-1 coaches to assist him in finding a bigger school. If so, it obviously worked.

http://usatodayhss.com/2016/oklahoma-lands-late-2016-hoops-commit-from-pg-jordan-shepherd
 
He caught my eye when he penetrated in traffic and dunked. Not sure I have seen a guard do that. At least not often.

Key question is how he will do against tough competition. Couldn't have been too tough at 2A. He does get up in the air and has quite a bit of hang time.
 
Joe Duvall over on SoonerScoop also posted his perspective of the first practice for those of us that subscribe to that board. It was followed by a good discussion. He also had a recruiting update. I asked if he might give a practice update every week or so until the season starts in mid-November, but he hasn't replied. Joe has been doing a very good job of posting updates about the team..... mostly recruiting news.

The recruit mentioned yesterday is 4-star 2019 PG De'Vion Harmon from Denton Guyer will make his 2nd visit to OU on Oct 15th for the K-State game. AdaSooner has mentioned his teammate Jalen Wilson before but Joe hasn't heard if he might visit, too. Ada knows Jalen's family and he also has an offer along with strong Oklahoma roots.

Some of Joe's comments about the practice paraphrased:
- Group playing with ones: Woodard, James, Odomes, Buford, Lattin
- Two's: Strong, McGusty, Doolittle, Freeman, McNeace
- Doolittle got some work the ones late in the practice.
- Freshman/newcomer that impressed him most was Doolittle. Really a force inside. Physical
- Mentioned Freeman's sweet 15 foot shot. Also better rebounder than he expected. Said he gave Lattin "fits" on the boards. I know he blocked one of Doolittle's shots. Later Doolittle returned the favor and blocked one of Buford's shots. Freeman looks taller than Lattin.
- Really impressed with Odomes who looks as tall as Buford. Called him an "absolute freak".
- Kruger later complimented Odomes' outside shot. Really good at working aggressively taking the ball to the hoop.
- Said James and Odomes clearly ahead of McGusty on the wing, but later said some really nice things about McGusty and his potential. Said big things coming for Kam.
- Didn't say a lot about Strong other than he hit a couple of 3's in the scrimmage. They haven't worked on a press or press break so hard to evaluate the PG play.
- Not a lot about Sheperd but the things he said were good. Said he looks like a freshman. Needs work.
- Didn't really talk about anyone else. The two players he raved about the most were clearly Doolittle and Odomes. Freeman got a lot of discussion, too.

I won't paraphrase all of Joe's reports because I don't want to copy premium info, but wanted to give you a perspective of what he's delivering over on the Scoop. He usually has 1-2 basketball threads every week. Between he and Josh McCuiston covering football recruiting makes it my personal OU favorite pay board. Other members of this board like jackson_supersooner would likely second that opinion. JMHO.
 
Everyone on here knows that I'm a card-carrying member of the Doolittle Fan Club, but I'm most excited to see firsthand the improvements made by Odomes.

This season is going to be a blast.
 
Thanks
It does not surprise me to hear the complements on Jordan S
 
usedtobe1 said:
Joe Duvall over on SoonerScoop also posted his perspective of the first practice for those of us that subscribe to that board. It was followed by a good discussion. He also had a recruiting update. I asked if he might give a practice update every week or so until the season starts in mid-November, but he hasn't replied. Joe has been doing a very good job of posting updates about the team..... mostly recruiting news.

The recruit mentioned yesterday is 4-star 2019 PG De'Vion Harmon from Denton Guyer will make his 2nd visit to OU on Oct 15th for the K-State game. AdaSooner has mentioned his teammate Jalen Wilson before but Joe hasn't heard if he might visit, too. Ada knows Jalen's family and he also has an offer along with strong Oklahoma roots.

Some of Joe's comments about the practice paraphrased:
- Group playing with ones: Woodard, James, Odomes, Buford, Lattin
- Two's: Strong, McGusty, Doolittle, Freeman, McNeace
- Doolittle got some work the ones late in the practice.
- Freshman/newcomer that impressed him most was Doolittle. Really a force inside. Physical
- Mentioned Freeman's sweet 15 foot shot. Also better rebounder than he expected. Said he gave Lattin "fits" on the boards. I know he blocked one of Doolittle's shots. Later Doolittle returned the favor and blocked one of Buford's shots. Freeman looks taller than Lattin.
- Really impressed with Odomes who looks as tall as Buford. Called him an "absolute freak".
- Kruger later complimented Odomes' outside shot. Really good at working aggressively taking the ball to the hoop.
- Said James and Odomes clearly ahead of McGusty on the wing, but later said some really nice things about McGusty and his potential. Said big things coming for Kam.
- Didn't say a lot about Strong other than he hit a couple of 3's in the scrimmage. They haven't worked on a press or press break so hard to evaluate the PG play.
- Not a lot about Sheperd but the things he said were good. Said he looks like a freshman. Needs work.
- Didn't really talk about anyone else. The two players he raved about the most were clearly Doolittle and Odomes. Freeman got a lot of discussion, too.

I won't paraphrase all of Joe's reports because I don't want to copy premium info, but wanted to give you a perspective of what he's delivering over on the Scoop. He usually has 1-2 basketball threads every week. Between he and Josh McCuiston covering football recruiting makes it my personal OU favorite pay board. Other members of this board like jackson_supersooner would likely second that opinion. JMHO.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the report! Man bring us as many reports as you can... As many as you feel are OK. I quit Soonerscoop a little over a year ago because they provided next to nothing basketball wise, and the football stuff was stale. They did have a couple of members who were VERY inside on BBall though. One of them called one of OU's past recruiting classes almost 100%. I asked long before signing day who our top prospects were and named 4... Lattin, Buford, Tum Tum, and I forgot the other one. He would have been dead on had Izzo not come in late. Anyway, I ain't going back, just my luck they are covering BBall now. I think most people love the offseason info more than anything. Once the season starts, the need for info about the team obviously wanes... But BBall recruiting info is ALWAYS welcome.
 
Anyone else going to tomorrow's practice? I'm planning to drop by again.
 
i would not be surprised if Doolittle takes Buford's starting spot
 
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