Frontcourt Help on the Way?

[soonerstatestud]

I've been getting into basketball season the last few weeks and I am really enjoying this year's team. I am mildly surprised that we have been able to get by so far with our frontcourt situation as depleted as it is.

Since we are so young this year, I couldn't help myself. I started thinking about next year with all of these young guards becoming veterans. The only problem is we lose two more frontcourt players, Clark and Neal.

Do we have any help on the horizon? I think we need 2-3 immediate impact post players to round out what could be a very good squad for the next two years.

 

[DenverSooner]

OU signed three front court players named Lattin, McNease and Buford. Two of them are Top 100 players and the other fairly highly regarded.

 

[AdaSooner]

I've been getting into basketball season the last few weeks and I am really enjoying this year's team. I am mildly surprised that we have been able to get by so far with our frontcourt situation as depleted as it is.

Since we are so young this year, I couldn't help myself. I started thinking about next year with all of these young guards becoming veterans. The only problem is we lose two more frontcourt players, Clark and Neal.

Do we have any help on the horizon? I think we need 2-3 immediate impact post players to round out what could be a very good squad for the next two years.

Here you go. I think you'll like what you read about the three bigs OU signed in November:

http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArt...60&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209307378

 

[soonerstatestud]

Interesting. I'm really out of the loop on recruiting so I appreciate the info. The two bigs look like high upside projects. Hopefully they can really develop this year and be ready to help us next year. It sounds like McNeace would be an ideal redshirt candidate if we can afford to do that.

Any chance we add a JUCO big with a little more polish? Are we out of scholarships?

 

[p230]

Hopefully Bennet will continue to develope and be ready to make the kind of impact Spangler is this season. That way we are not depending on the freshman.

 

[nikebasketball]

Interesting. I'm really out of the loop on recruiting so I appreciate the info. The two bigs look like high upside projects. Hopefully they can really develop this year and be ready to help us next year. It sounds like McNeace would be an ideal redshirt candidate if we can afford to do that.

Any chance we add a JUCO big with a little more polish? Are we out of scholarships?

We got 1 more scholly left for this year. If we use it that only gives us 2 for next year. We are more then likely to keep it unless a good transfer wants to be a sooner or find another gaurd

 

[DenverSooner]

Interesting. I'm really out of the loop on recruiting so I appreciate the info. The two bigs look like high upside projects. Hopefully they can really develop this year and be ready to help us next year. It sounds like McNeace would be an ideal redshirt candidate if we can afford to do that.

Any chance we add a JUCO big with a little more polish? Are we out of scholarships?

I don't think Lattin is a project. His grandfather played in the NBA and his mother played in the WNBA. The kid has the genetics. On top of that he has been widely regarded as one of the better players in the country for his age. Prior to going to the Canary Islands he was ranked even higher. Leaving the country for a year took him off some people's radar. There is a chance he will be moving up in the rankings this year.

 

[Max Power]

We got 1 more scholly left for this year. If we use it that only gives us 2 for next year. We are more then likely to keep it unless a good transfer wants to be a sooner or find another gaurd

We have 10 on scholarship right now out of 13 scholarships, leaving three open, we lose Neal and Clark leaving 5 open, and fill 3 of the 5 with the 3 freshmen signed. That leaves 2 left. Bennett is the only one coming off the books next year. meaning we can stop and have 3 for next year or sign up to 2 more this class

 

[pnkranger]

I think we take Josh Cunningham or best transfer this class -- or no one.

 

[AdaSooner]

Interesting. I'm really out of the loop on recruiting so I appreciate the info. The two bigs look like high upside projects. Hopefully they can really develop this year and be ready to help us next year. It sounds like McNeace would be an ideal redshirt candidate if we can afford to do that.

Any chance we add a JUCO big with a little more polish? Are we out of scholarships?

I agree with you on McNeace. I think it's likely he'll redshirt. But from everything I've read and heard about the him, he has a huge upside and was well worth the ship.

I think Lattin and Buford will play next year. How much will likely depend on their development and how quickly they adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game. If you saw the thread CoachTalk started, you already know that Lattin is putting up some impressive numbers so far. Buford was a recruit several high-major programs wanted. According to ESPN, 247 Sports and Scout.com, he had offers from Okie State, USC, Miami, South Carolina and Memphis, among others. Lattin had offers from Bama, Baylor, Georgetown, Zona, Texas and ATM, to name a few.

So, clearly, signing Lattin and Buford was huge for OU. Judging by everything I have read and heard, both players are just beginning to blossom into recruits nearly every school in the country will wish they had signed.

As for signing a JUCO player in the spring period. There was a time I would have been in favor of it, but not now. We've had too many busts and recruits who never made it to campus in the last few years to suit me. I'm definitely opposed to signing another big out of the juco ranks. A scoring wing or guard? Maybe. The question is, will one worth using a ship on be available in the late period?

 

[DenverSooner]

Someone posted an SI article on Lattin that indicated he was extremely highly regarded before he left the country and took a lot of heat for that decision.

His mom in Monica Lamb. She played at USC and professionally for several years. His dad is Cliff Lattin, Big Daddy's son. He has great genes from both sides of his family. The percentage of people that professional athletes on both sides of their family is very small. Additionally, Lattin has worked with John Lucas since he was 11. I think this kid has the chance to be special.

 

[Max Power]

I agree with you on McNeace. I think it's likely he'll redshirt. But from everything I've read and heard about the him, he has a huge upside and was well worth the ship.

I think Lattin and Buford will play next year. How much will likely depend on their development and how quickly they adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game. If you saw the thread CoachTalk started, you already know that Lattin is putting up some impressive numbers so far. Buford was a recruit several high-major programs wanted. According to ESPN, 247 Sports and Scout.com, he had offers from Okie State, USC, Miami, South Carolina and Memphis, among others. Lattin had offers from Bama, Baylor, Georgetown, Zona, Texas and ATM, to name a few.

So, clearly, signing Lattin and Buford was huge for OU. Judging by everything I have read and heard, both players are just beginning to blossom into recruits nearly every school in the country will wish they had signed.

As for signing a JUCO player in the spring period. There was a time I would have been in favor of it, but not now. We've had too many busts and recruits who never made it to campus in the last few years to suit me. I'm definitely opposed to signing another big out of the juco ranks. A scoring wing or guard? Maybe. The question is, will one worth using a ship on be available in the late period?

i like the red shirt idea for several reasons.

1. McNeace can mature and get used to college
2. An extra year to work on skills with our staff
3. Balances out classes if we get cunningham

 

[CoachTalk]

i like the red shirt idea for several reasons.

1. McNeace can mature and get used to college
2. An extra year to work on skills with our staff
3. Balances out classes if we get cunningham

I doubt Cunningham is coming. Just a gut feeling.

 

[BigTime]

I doubt Cunningham is coming. Just a gut feeling.

It's a great opportunity for him to be a part of something special...

 

[nikebasketball]

With the way Cunningham has seen us play I have a gut felling he is coming to us and sees that he can be apart of something special!

 

[CoachTalk]

It's a great opportunity for him to be a part of something special...

Or he sees it as he sits behind these guys for 2 years. Kids think different sometimes, he could be "star" at Bradley for 4 years. Some kids can sit some can't stand it. MSU is rumored to be the reason he is waiting. He find a bigger and better offer.