For what it is worth

[garyeb2]

I had to run over to Homeland to pick up a pork roast that is going in for the long smoke in the morning. The radio was on the Sports Animal. Eschbach said that Kruger told him that:

1. M'baye was going to play the #3
2. Henry was a non-qualifier and had to go to JC- not expected next season
3. Kruger was targeting a JC big

 

[Stikboy]

Thanks for the info....WOW. So no Jarion, disappointing... I guess that makes two that we can take in the late signing period?

 

[hoopsaustin]

No please no juco big.... I don't want another Orlando Allen or heck even patillo who fails out even if he's good

 

[AdaSooner]

1. M'baye was going to play the #3
2. Henry was a non-qualifier and had to go to JC- not expected next season
3. Kruger was targeting a JC big

Thanks for the heads up!

Question for the board: If M'Baye is going to play the three, does that mean he will replace Clark in the starting lineup? My guess is, yes.

If so, seems clear to me that Kruger plans to put Osby, Fitz and M'Baye on the floor at the same time. I think we all know that Osby or Fitz will not come off the bench.

Thoughts?

 

[tycat947]

I had to run over to Homeland to pick up a pork roast that is going in for the long smoke in the morning. The radio was on the Sports Animal. Eschbach said that Kruger told him that:

1. M'baye was going to play the #3
2. Henry was a non-qualifier and had to go to JC- not expected next season
3. Kruger was targeting a JC big

Does Al even attend the games any more? He wasn't on the media row during the ISU game, or I didn't see his silly hat!

 

[SoonerinNC]

I think you are right Ada. From what I saw in the pre-season videos I think M'Baye can play the 3. He showed a nice outside shot and good mobility. I could also see him spell either Fitz or Osby. We need more inside depth.

We need more depth overall and enough quickness to pressure the ball to play Kruger's game.

 

[Sooner23]

Alrighty then. So what juco big men are available? Get on it abd.

 

[Sooner23]

Here's the juco rankings list from Rivals....

http://rivals.yahoo.com/jucojunctio...28665727&SIG=899ac77759c3f46539189c4fbe184922

 

[geeoh]

Let's recruit that California JUCO league hard.

 

[DenverSooner]

Thanks for the heads up!

Question for the board: If M'Baye is going to play the three, does that mean he will replace Clark in the starting lineup? My guess is, yes.

If so, seems clear to me that Kruger plans to put Osby, Fitz and M'Baye on the floor at the same time. I think we all know that Osby or Fitz will not come off the bench.

Thoughts?

It really doesn't matter who starts or even who finishes games. The simple fact that OU can bring Clark off the bench gives the team some depth. I am pretty sure Kruger will want both of them to play together a lot because he is going to need them in two years.

Henry is unfortunate but he really doesn't matter for next year. M'Baye, Fitzgerald, Osby, Clark and Arent are plenty of forwards. Arent simply needs to rebound and he has actually demonstrated he can do that. If he can simply give solid minutes when Fitz or Osby has foul trouble it will be fine. When you add another scoring threat, he will not hurt as much to have him on the floor.

To me next season has two real keys. First, OU must get production from both Clark and M'Baye. Second, OU needs one of Hield or Hornbeak to contribute about 10 minutes a game and score points on a consistent basis. Any other improvements to the team are just a bonus if those two things happen and I truly believe that everyone will show improvement. I actually think it is possible that Grooms and Osby will show significant improvement. I think Osby will rebound better, defend better and have slightly better decision making. I think Grooms will shoot better, defend better and have better decision making. This is basically the first season of D-1 ball for both of them.

 

[61sooner]

Who was the last JUCO Big who made a huge contribution at OU?
McGhee, Grant?
Seems like a lot of busts in recent times.

 

[DenverSooner]

Capel didn't really recruit jucos so I would agree that you have to go back to the Sampson era. The best juco bigs were probably McGhee and Harvey Grant. Others contributed but those are the two that really stick out to me.

 

[AdaSooner]

.
Henry is unfortunate but he really doesn't matter for next year. M'Baye, Fitzgerald, Osby, Clark and Arent are plenty of forwards. Arent simply needs to rebound and he has actually demonstrated he can do that. If he can simply give solid minutes when Fitz or Osby has foul trouble it will be fine. When you add another scoring threat, he will not hurt as much to have him on the floor.

I don't know, Denver, losing Henry worries me some. With M'Baye and Clark rotating at the three, that leaves Arent as our only other big in the post. Neal is not a true post player. And, to be honest, I'm not sure either of them can be counted on to provide quality minutes coming off the bench?

I can see why Kruger said he wants to sign a JUCO big. With Henry not available, and C. J. and Honore' gone, we'll need a reliable post player who can contribute right away. Maybe Casey and Tyler will be ready with the spring and summer to work on their game. But I wouldn't want to bet my season on it if I was in Kruger's shoes.

 

[DenverSooner]

I don't know, Denver, losing Henry worries me some. With M'Baye and Clark rotating at the three, that leaves Arent as our only other big in the post. Neal is not a true post player. And, to be honest, I'm not sure either of them can be counted on to provide quality minutes coming off the bench?

I can see why Kruger said he wants to sign a JUCO big. With Henry not available, and C. J. and Honore' gone, we'll need a reliable post player who can contribute right away. Maybe Casey and Tyler will be ready with the spring and summer to work on their game. But I wouldn't want to bet my season on it if I was in Kruger's shoes.

I would rather have him and it really hurts for 2013/14 but it won't kill OU for next season. Clark can play PF for a few minutes. M'Baye can certainly play PF. In fact, Clark was better last season playing PF than he has been this season playing the wing at least in terms of scoring. If M'Baye can truly play the 3 or 4, OU has four guys to play 3 position. That is fine. A 7 man rotation is fine and OU will certainly have that. In fact, OU will have a pretty respectable 8 man rotation next year provided both Hield and Hornbeak qualify (I hate to even say that and have no reason to believe they won't). Additionally, OU can go with Neal or Arent in a pinch.

 

[TheGimper]

Does Al even attend the games any more? He wasn't on the media row during the ISU game, or I didn't see his silly hat!

For the record, he was in New Orleans during the ISU game. He attends every game he can, however with most weekday games happening during his show and competing with Thunder games it makes it more difficult to attend as many games as in the past.

 

[DenverSooner]

For the record, he was in New Orleans during the ISU game. He attends every game he can, however with most weekday games happening during his show and competing with Thunder games it makes it more difficult to attend as many games as in the past.

What does a guy like Al make for living? Do those type of sports guys make over $200,000 a year?

I would assume they make about $50K for their radio shows and do everything else with promotions, voice over work, etc. but I really have no idea if I am even in the ball park.

 

[seniorsooner]

Al makes big time money. I think a lot of people would be shocked to hear what he makes.

 

[WTSooner]

I really hope LK's future plans aren't to recruit big guys like M'Baye to play the 3. I've been pretty vocal in saying that I think it hurts more than helps. I understand that next year may HAVE to be different in order to get our best 5 on the court, but I don't think anybody can convince me that M'Baye wouldn't be more valuable as a versatile 4. Think Ace McGee if M'Baye actually has that kind of range.

 

[TheGimper]

I really hope LK's future plans aren't to recruit big guys like M'Baye to play the 3. I've been pretty vocal in saying that I think it hurts more than helps. I understand that next year may HAVE to be different in order to get our best 5 on the court, but I don't think anybody can convince me that M'Baye wouldn't be more valuable as a versatile 4. Think Ace McGee if M'Baye actually has that kind of range.

I think people maybe misinterpreting what was said. M'baye has the talent and skill set to play the 3. I don't believe he was recruited to play that role, but during this season he's shown that he would be capable of filling that role as well.

 

[garyeb2]

I really hope LK's future plans aren't to recruit big guys like M'Baye to play the 3. I've been pretty vocal in saying that I think it hurts more than helps. I understand that next year may HAVE to be different in order to get our best 5 on the court, but I don't think anybody can convince me that M'Baye wouldn't be more valuable as a versatile 4. Think Ace McGee if M'Baye actually has that kind of range.

Kruger didn't tell me anything. Just reporting what Al said. So, I don't know for sure. I don't know how good he will be or how many points he will average.

But, I do know this. M'baye isn't like McGee,or Osby or Fitz. He is a different kind of athlete and player than those guys. He has a mobility and range that is rare for a guy his size. While he would be just fine playing the #4, and probably will some. He can probably impact the game more from the #3. And besides, we already have a #4 that is good enough to play.

And I wouldn't worry too much about Kruger recruiting 6'10" guys to play the wing. He won't come accross one with M'baye's skills all that often.