Go to guy at the end of games

[ocugolfsooner]

I'm trying to decide if I think this years OU team can make a legitimate run in the Big 12 and NCAA tourneys. I think my biggest concern is, who do we go to when we really need a bucket down the stretch in a tight game and also who do we want shooting important free throws if we are in that position? This years team is definitely better than last years, but we did have Osby as a go to guy.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that were a balanced team and I think that's why we've been pretty consistent throughout the year, we have so many scoring options that its unlikely we will lay an egg and get blown out because everyone can't be cold.

What do you guys think? Will this prevent OU from making a tournament run?

 

[quick release]

Hield seems to be that guy. He was at OSU.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

Hield seems to be that guy. He was at OSU.

I agree Hield is our best scorer, but is he really a guy you can just give the ball to and he can go get a basket? He isn't really a dribble drive guy and doesn't create his own shot much. Usually scores off passes from teammates for a 3 or hustle plays on a put back. Not saying he can't score on his own, but doesn't seem to be his strong suit.

 

[DenverSooner]

I would say it is Cam Clark more than Hield. I think that is something OU needs to develop in the offseason. Last year it was clearly Osby. I don't think it is clear this year. I would love to see both Hield and Cousins improve in their ability to score big buckets late in close games.

 

[Chaser728]

I agree Hield is our best scorer, but is he really a guy you can just give the ball to and he can go get a basket? He isn't really a dribble drive guy and doesn't create his own shot much. Usually scores off passes from teammates for a 3 or hustle plays on a put back. Not saying he can't score on his own, but doesn't seem to be his strong suit.

While he may not be a dribble drive guy, he still hits clutch shots when it counts & has shown some ability to score in the lane. I mean look to games against Baylor, ISU, @OSU where he came up huge. Also, Cousins is probably the guy who can really create his own shot the best. Also, JW has shown the ability to do this as well.

 

[Max Power]

While he may not be a dribble drive guy, he still hits clutch shots when it counts & has shown some ability to score in the lane. I mean look to games against Baylor, ISU, @OSU where he came up huge. Also, Cousins is probably the guy who can really create his own shot the best. Also, JW has shown the ability to do this as well.

Je'lon has as well. I think that is what makes this group a tough out is in those situation if you blanket buddy, then any of the other three guards (depending on who is in the game) are just as capable of getting a bucket. Blanket all the guards and Cam can get it done down low and from mid range, and if they miss due to double teams, spangler is there to clean it up.

 

[pnkranger]

You guys are over thinking it -- Kruger built this team so we can rely on the hot player that night. Down the stretch against UT we put the ball in cousins hands and he knocked down free throws. Everyone has done it at some point...

Also, everything is match up based, so Lon will find the best matchup on any given night.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

You guys are over thinking it -- Kruger built this team so we can rely on the hot player that night. Down the stretch against UT we put the ball in cousins hands and he knocked down free throws. Everyone has done it at some point...

Also, everything is match up based, so Lon will find the best matchup on any given night.

I'm not trying to over think it, just wondering who we give the ball to in a tight situation in a tournament, when the "lose and your out" format ratchets up the pressure ten fold. Hield is definitely clutch. Not on board with Cam, he is not good at all at dribbling and creating his own shot, turnover machine. He broke out of his mid season slump when he started catching and shooting the mid range jumpers again, rather than trying to dribble drive.

I do agree that Hornbeak, Cousins and Woodard can break people down off the dribble, but who do you want with the ball at the end?

 

[brettromar]

With so many guys being equal in this category it is all about matchups. Who do they feel as a staff has the best matchup at that time they can exploit.

 

[Kewllane]

Hield has hit some big shots, but he doesn't create his shot very well. That's why I would be hesitant to call him the "go to guy". He doesn't handle the ball well enough to be considered that.

I agree with most that it's all about who has been hot that game and matchups.

 

[AdaSooner]

One of our strengths this season is that we have multiple options, whether it's in the course of running our half court offense or at crunch time to win a game.

So, pick your poison opposing defenses, do you cover Hield, Woodard, Clark or Cousins? They're all capable of taking big shots or driving with the ball when the game is on the line. Even Neal and Booker could be an option to knock down a three in a situation like that.

The point is, if it's difficult for fans like us to name one or two "go-to guys," it's even tougher for the opposing coach. I think that's exactly the way a sly old fox like Lon Kruger wants it to be.

 

[sybarite]

We do have a selection of several. I wonder if the type of defense might also determine who we would use.

I sure do like Woodard at the free throw line late.

If the defense is pushing us, or if we are standing still, I would rather have Hield or Cousins with the ball because they create.

If there is a lot of movement, I would look for Cam or Hield. Spangler isn't bad on the move either.

 

[geeoh]

If we're talking clutch free throws at the end of the game, I want Hornbeak shooting those.

 

[Max Power]

If we're talking clutch free throws at the end of the game, I want Hornbeak shooting those.

This

 

[jaymOU]

You guys are over thinking it -- Kruger built this team so we can rely on the hot player that night. Down the stretch against UT we put the ball in cousins hands and he knocked down free throws. Everyone has done it at some point...

Also, everything is match up based, so Lon will find the best matchup on any given night.

Totally agree. Hot hand every time. Plus if you listen to the OU guys being interviewed they talk about during the under 4 timeout LK tells them what plays will get open shots. This is not the NBA, you can still run set plays and create mismatch problems. Mostly I see OU doing their three-man weave out top, finding a mis-match they like - for instance against Baylor picking on the white guard who can shoot - and then taking him off the dribble.

Did it against WVU, OSU, even KU to some extent

 

[WTSooner]

Hield is our guy, and he has been really good of late.

Can we make a run in the NCAA? A run to me is playing better than your seed, which would likely mean an Elite 8 birth. I'm not sure this OU team has the horses to consistently beat teams that we would likely face in the Sweet 16. Top 10 type teams. Not saying we can't, our good, when shots are going down, against the right match ups, is pretty good. But if you put our roster side by side most of the top 10 teams, most of those teams have clearly better players.

I'll be ecstatic with a Sweet 16 birth this year. Thrilled. That means the core of our team will have two more chances to top that.

 

[Max Power]

Hield is our guy, and he has been really good of late.

Can we make a run in the NCAA? A run to me is playing better than your seed, which would likely mean an Elite 8 birth. I'm not sure this OU team has the horses to consistently beat teams that we would likely face in the Sweet 16. Top 10 type teams. Not saying we can't, our good, when shots are going down, against the right match ups, is pretty good. But if you put our roster side by side most of the top 10 teams, most of those teams have clearly better players.

I'll be ecstatic with a Sweet 16 birth this year. Thrilled. That means the core of our team will have two more chances to top that.

I've seen OU lose enough in my lifetime as a higher seed to just hope that if we get a 4 or 5 we make it to the 2nd week

 

[BCSooners]

10 seconds left we need a guy to create on his own and get a bucket I go with Cousins. Last 2 minutes they run their offense and let anyone take a good shot.

 

[statprof]

Anyone but Spangler it appears ...