Freshmen and Sophomores

[AdaSooner]

It should be clear to everyone by now that the freshmen and sophomores on this team are our future. That's not to say our two juniors won't be important next season. It's just that when eight of our twelve scholarship players are freshmen and sophomores, it's reasonable to assume the youngsters on our roster will play a major role in our success going forward.

In checking the stats for the last five games, you may be interested to know that OU's "future" is as bright as any time in my recent memory. Our freshmen and sophomores are leading the way with a 50.2 per game scoring average. Their 22.8 rebounds per game average is not bad either.

My point is simply that we have a lot to look forward to next year and beyond. Add a 6' 9" Brady Manek and a 6' 11" 265 Hannas Polla to the list, with the possibility of Young and/or another player or two, and we have plenty to be excited about next season.

 

[Stikboy]

Is it consensus that Manek and Polla are the same caliber of recruits as we've been getting? I can't find much about either, especially Polla. It appears Manek is just outside the top 100. Where does he project? From what i've seen he's tall, very skinny, and decently athletic. Does he project as a wing or a post? We already have Doolittle, Buford, and Freeman at the 4.

 

[BoulderSooner]

manek is a 4 star and could become very very good ..

..... I would expect polla to be our 3rd string center next year and then be a very good backup to mcnease as a soph ..

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm anxious to see more and learn more about Polla. At 6' 11" 265, he could develop into an immovable force down low. No one will look at OU's tall, skinny bigs and ask, "where's the beef?"

Seriously, I'm genuinely excited about seeing a space eater like him on next year's team! How long has it been since we had a player even close to his size?

 

[Stikboy]

Evan Wiley, Bobby Joe Evans?

Just hope he can play..

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I'm anxious to see more and learn more about Polla. At 6' 11" 265, he could develop into an immovable force down low. No one will look at OU's tall, skinny bigs and ask, "where's the beef?"

Seriously, I'm genuinely excited about seeing a space eater like him on next year's team! How long has it been since we had a player even close to his size?

Maybe he's the next Kristaps :dance005:

 

[MsProudSooner]

Evan Wiley, Bobby Joe Evans?

Just hope he can play..

Think how good Bobby Joe could have been if he hadn't had knee problems.

 

[big-hOUnd]

I'm anxious to see more and learn more about Polla. At 6' 11" 265, he could develop into an immovable force down low. No one will look at OU's tall, skinny bigs and ask, "where's the beef?"

Seriously, I'm genuinely excited about seeing a space eater like him on next year's team! How long has it been since we had a player even close to his size?

Last season.....Manyang?

 

[AdaSooner]

Last season.....Manyang?

Forgot about him, maybe because he wasn't around long enough to matter all that much.

 

[coolm]

I am excited about Manek. He can end up being one of those do-everything guys that every program and team needs. We're missing that right now.

 

[sanguinetti]

i don't believe in 7 footers or international players.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Tell that to Gonzaga

 

[usedtobe1]

I'm anxious to see more and learn more about Polla. At 6' 11" 265, he could develop into an immovable force down low. No one will look at OU's tall, skinny bigs and ask, "where's the beef?"

Seriously, I'm genuinely excited about seeing a space eater like him on next year's team! How long has it been since we had a player even close to his size?

I agree 100%. I've been of the opinion that "bulk" is the most underrated physical attribute ...... especially in the post. Like you, I've refereed 100's of HS games throughout my career where I could see the physical play up close. It's amazing how much of an advantage a player has when he can bully his opponent. All the screening and blocking out takes a toll during a game. Having bulk and strength is a hugh advantage. Sometimes it's more important than height (e.g. Charles Barkley in the NBA rebounding despite only being 6'5" or Ernie Abercrombie at 6'3" at OU). Giving away 30-40 pounds to opposing centers is why players like Lattin can't average ~10 rebounds/game.

I found this article on Polla. I like it that his coach called him an offensive force. I think he might be our diamond in the rough:
http://www.scout.com/college/basket...294-oklahoma-gets-commitment-from-hannes-p-ll

The only negative is Derek Peterson from OU Daily reported several months ago that Polla was recovering from a torn ACL, but he should be recovered by the time he gets to campus.

 

[skyvue]

I read on another site (didn't confirm it on my own) that Manek had 40 points last night.

 

[coolm]

45 in 3 quarters against the might Chisholm Longhorns.