Guards next year.....

[WTSooner]

I know this has been discussed a few times, but am I the only one that is a little nervous about this?

This year we're playing Hornbeak, Hield, Pledger, Cousins, Grooms, and Neal at the 1-3 spots. Six guys, with five of them getting significant minutes.

We lose Pledger and Grooms from that list, and add only Woodard.

That either means increased minutes for Neal, or it means Cam/M'Baye have to get minutes on the wing. Hopefully after what we've seen so far this season, there are a few more people that would agree that both Cam and M'Baye are best used as small 4's.

I really think a scoring 2/3 would go a long way in shoring up the roster next year. Even if it were just a JUCO shooter, or a guy like Clarke. Just somebody that can score it. Hield and Hornbeak should be fine, but Woodard will be a true frosh that isn't known as a scorer first, and while I like Cousins, I don't think he'll really be a "scorer" next year either.

Just a thought.

 

[Max Power]

I know this has been discussed a few times, but am I the only one that is a little nervous about this?

This year we're playing Hornbeak, Hield, Pledger, Cousins, Grooms, and Neal at the 1-3 spots. Six guys, with five of them getting significant minutes.

We lose Pledger and Grooms from that list, and add only Woodard.

That either means increased minutes for Neal, or it means Cam/M'Baye have to get minutes on the wing. Hopefully after what we've seen so far this season, there are a few more people that would agree that both Cam and M'Baye are best used as small 4's.

I really think a scoring 2/3 would go a long way in shoring up the roster next year. Even if it were just a JUCO shooter, or a guy like Clarke. Just somebody that can score it. Hield and Hornbeak should be fine, but Woodard will be a true frosh that isn't known as a scorer first, and while I like Cousins, I don't think he'll really be a "scorer" next year either.

Just a thought.

Next year we have Bennett, M'Baye, Spangler, Hamilton, and Elliott at the post. We will prolly move Cam back to the 3

 

[WaymanFan]

Another way to read this is: "Who will replace Pledge as the person who can knock down a 3?" To be honest, it's a good question. I think we need to have either Pledge or Hield on the floor at all times to stretch the defense. Next year, when Hield isn't on the floor, who do we have to stretch the defense? That person doesn't seem to be on campus as of yet. If we don't get Randle or someone of his caliber, I certainly wouldn't mind someone like a Michael Neal or Lawrence MacKanzie type to stretch the defense.

 

[DenverSooner]

I agree. I think OU is a guard short next season.

 

[Max Power]

Another way to read this is: "Who will replace Pledge as the person who can knock down a 3?" To be honest, it's a good question. I think we need to have either Pledge or Hield on the floor at all times to stretch the defense. Next year, when Hield isn't on the floor, who do we have to stretch the defense? That person doesn't seem to be on campus as of yet. If we don't get Randle or someone of his caliber, I certainly wouldn't mind someone like a Michael Neal or Lawrence MacKanzie type to stretch the defense.

Jaleon is the best percentage wise this season. I see no reason why he wont be able to continue to shoot well going forward

 

[garyeb2]

Speculation on next years starters and the role different players will assume is likely as accurate as simular speculation on what this years team would look like.

 

[CoachTalk]

Speculation on next years starters and the role different players will assume is likely as accurate as simular speculation on what this years team would look like.

Like Mbaye and Cam playing the 2 Gary?

 

[Max Power]

Like Mbaye and Cam playing the 2 Gary?

:clap:clap:clap

 

[WTSooner]

Like Mbaye and Cam playing the 2 Gary?

 

[garyeb2]

Like Mbaye and Cam playing the 2 Gary?

I never said anything about M'Baye playing the #2. I did say he could defend any position. I probably did at some point state a preference for Cam over Pledger no matter where they lined up. Still do.

Do you really want to relitigate who said what about starters for this year?

 

[Laxtothemax12]

Well Hornbeak and Hield are both 2 guards, and next year we bring in Woodard, a true PG i think. This could allow Hield and Hornbeak to get open shots and Hornbeak shot well i though against KSU. I heard Spangler is pretty good at a solid 6'8'', and he had a year at a top 10 team like Gonzaga and Mark Fewso you know he got great coaching there too. I think the future looks bright

 

[garyeb2]

Well Hornbeak and Hield are both 2 guards, and next year we bring in Woodard, a true PG i think. This could allow Hield and Hornbeak to get open shots and Hornbeak shot well i though against KSU. I heard Spangler is pretty good at a solid 6'8'', and he had a year at a top 10 team like Gonzaga and Mark Fewso you know he got great coaching there too. I think the future looks bright

All three of those freshman guards have plenty or room to get better. I hope Woodard comes in as close to ready as they were.

I don't remember the kids name from K St. The one that was blocking shots and in the way all the time on defense. In practice, Bennet reminds me of that guy. Spangler will be a good one for OU. But, to this point he has a shooting range of about 5 ft. Same with Bennet.

I don't know where Woodard will be. I don't know how far Spangler and Bennet will have come. I don't know how ready to contribute the two Jr College bigs will be. I don't know who will get the last ship. I don't who will start and what the rotation will be.

But, I'll have figured out 2 weeks before the first game and will spend weeks argueing with those that committed too early.

 

[WTSooner]

Well Hornbeak and Hield are both 2 guards, and next year we bring in Woodard, a true PG i think. This could allow Hield and Hornbeak to get open shots and Hornbeak shot well i though against KSU. I heard Spangler is pretty good at a solid 6'8'', and he had a year at a top 10 team like Gonzaga and Mark Fewso you know he got great coaching there too. I think the future looks bright

Nobody is disagreeing with any of that.

The problem is that most of this year, we brought Hield's scoring off the bench. And even now, we have three guards that I would say are "scorers". Next year, that number probably drops to two. Nobody is arguing that the future doesn't look bright. I actually think we'll be a better inside team, and probably a better defensive and rebounding team next year. I just worry about the guard depth, and the scoring from the 1-3 spots, save Hield and Hornbeak.

 

[CoachTalk]

Come on Gary! Spangler can shoot a little. Bennett most def an athletic forward.
With the 3 pups and Woodard there won't be a lot of mins to around.
LK played cousins more ag KSU than I would have thought, he brings a edge with him, hard to explain.

 

[garyeb2]

Come on Gary! Spangler can shoot a little. Bennett most def an athletic forward.
With the 3 pups and Woodard there won't be a lot of mins to around.
LK played cousins more ag KSU than I would have thought, he brings a edge with him, hard to explain.

Am I having trouble expressing myself or is it a comprehension problem? I like both Spangler and Bennett alot. Both of them are likely to be much better than Fitz. And both of them have a chance to be as or more effective in some areas as Osby.

Neither of them have any shooting range. Okay, 5-8 ft. The last time I was at practice Bennett was hitting some jumpers from about 8 ft. I thought that to be a very positive sign. Of course he wasn't being guarded at the time. Relative to Osby's range, the team will lose something with either of them. However, the team team will be in really good shape inside.

 

[soonerhoops2012]

I don't really think we will miss pledger much. He's not that sharp of shooter, and seems lazy to me

 

[WTSooner]

I don't really think we will miss pledger much. He's not that sharp of shooter, and seems lazy to me

Yes, Cousins and his 26% FG percentage, and 24% from three, is a MUCH better option.

 

[Max Power]

Yes, Cousins and his 26% FG percentage, and 24% from three, is a MUCH better option.

No but hornbeake a good option with Woodard running the point

 

[DenverSooner]

I never said anything about M'Baye playing the #2. I did say he could defend any position. I probably did at some point state a preference for Cam over Pledger no matter where they lined up. Still do.

Do you really want to relitigate who said what about starters for this year?

He proved that tonight. He was on the perimeter much of the night.

 

[originalsooner55]

Am I having trouble expressing myself or is it a comprehension problem? I like both Spangler and Bennett alot. Both of them are likely to be much better than Fitz. And both of them have a chance to be as or more effective in some areas as Osby.

Neither of them have any shooting range. Okay, 5-8 ft. The last time I was at practice Bennett was hitting some jumpers from about 8 ft. I thought that to be a very positive sign. Of course he wasn't being guarded at the time. Relative to Osby's range, the team will lose something with either of them. However, the team team will be in really good shape inside.

Gary, I guess you and I have seen different practices. The ones I have been to, I saw Bennett and Spangler shooting pretty good. Bottom line for me is:"I am very excited for what I see in this years team, and really very excited for what I see next year".