Hornbeak

[jaymOU]

What's going on with him? Last year I felt he was better than Cousins and more consistent than Buddy. Has he regressed? Wonder if not starting has eroded his confidence?

I don't see how he beats out Woodard, Buddy or Cousins at this point. Told my son today would not be shocked if he considered leaving.

This team desperately needs some punch off the bench and I think he can provide that spark, but something just seems off.

 

[usedtobe1]

He broke his foot and might be coming back a tad too early because they need him for depth. Be patient.

 

[allday92]

He broke his foot and might be coming back a tad too early because they need him for depth. Be patient.

Agreed. Second foot injury he's had this year. He needs time to get shots up, get more reps, and just feel comfortable playing basketball.

 

[opsooner]

Yep. I'm just happy that he is able to give us some much needed minutes right now. He will get much better as the season moves forward.

 

[CoachTalk]

I'm worried about him. 6th man. Seems "down" on himself or life or in general... Something is going on..

 

[cvangild]

I just hope to god that he doesn't transfer at the end of the season because he isn't starting. I think his minutes will increase as he continues to recover...and eventually should get back to playing 20+ minutes a game.

 

[Stikboy]

I sure hope he doesn't. Last year at times he looked like he had the most all around talent of the three. I think he still has a lot in him to offer. Maybe his closeness with Buddy and Isaiah will keep him around. OU will need him for sure.

 

[CoachTalk]

I just hope to god that he doesn't transfer at the end of the season because he isn't starting. I think his minutes will increase as he continues to recover...and eventually should get back to playing 20+ minutes a game.

I hope he doesn't but that's what I'm afraid of, he is the "outsider" to this group. Hope he doesn't go deangelo Alexander on us...

 

[Tundrasooner]

Why worry about something that isn't going on? Hornbeak has stated he didn't care if he started or not. Didn't matter to him.
His injury has really set him back. A lot. When you can't get on your feet for 6 weeks you lose a lot of coordination. His broke foot is probably a little weak as well. And it takes some time to trust your injured area again.

Give him some time. He will be good again.

 

[AdaSooner]

Agreed. I think Hornbeak's laidback personality may be contributing to the idea that he is unhappy with his back up role. He is not the type to wear his emotions on his sleeve.

I saw Je'lon play twice on television when he was in high school. It was obvious his coach wanted him on the floor when the game was on the line, because he was cool, calm and under control regardless of the situation. I even talked about what I saw in him right after he committed to OU. I also called him one of the most fundamentally sound high school players I had seen in sometime.

He's not the same player he was last year. But I have to believe that's due to his injury, not the lack of playing time. I could be wrong, of course. Others on this board who are closer to the program could have seen or know about some inside information I'm not privy to.

 

[nikebasketball]

I just hope to god that he doesn't transfer at the end of the season because he isn't starting. I think his minutes will increase as he continues to recover...and eventually should get back to playing 20+ minutes a game.

I asked him about transferring and he said he wouldn't even consider it. He said as long as he gets to play he is happy. He also said they are a family and him Buddy Cousins are like brothers. He and the team think they can compete for the Big 12 title and make a couple final 4 runs next year and year after.

 

[usedtobe1]

He broke his foot on December 10th followed by this announcement:

"University of Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Lon Kruger announced Tuesday that sophomore Je'lon Hornbeak will miss approximately four to six weeks due to a broken bone in his left foot."

He came back against Texas on January 4th (3+ weeks) and played 14 minutes so he's easing his way back into the lineup. I bet he's still sore and learning to trust it. Plus he had to lose a little conditioning and timing/touch. He will be fine and become even more important as the year goes on.

 

[WTSooner]

A lot of the issues some folks are having with Hornbeak date back to before the broken foot.

 

[red recluse]

i know it would mess recruiting up some, but i think you try go get a juco pg with our last scholly. if there is anyone decent enough. but relieve hornbeak of that pressure of running the second team offense and let him go play. cousins put in a lot of work in the offseason, but i think his sophomore success can also be attributed to him being able to just go out and do what he does. just have booker and hornbeak terrorizing second unit wings for the next two years. i know je'lon can do it.

 

[DenverSooner]

A lot of the issues some folks are having with Hornbeak date back to before the broken foot.

Didn't he also hurt his foot in the summer? It seems to me he has been set back by injuries more than anything else. I hope he comes on strong the last half of the season and OU heads into next season with Hornbeak, Woodard, Cousin, Buddy and Booker all having played well this season.

 

[garyeb2]

Didn't he also hurt his foot in the summer? It seems to me he has been set back by injuries more than anything else. I hope he comes on strong the last half of the season and OU heads into next season with Hornbeak, Woodard, Cousin, Buddy and Booker all having played well this season.

Hornbeak had stress fractures before the European trip. They thought that they could get him healed up when they got back. They didn't and the bone cracked at the point of the stress fractures in December. He hasn't been at 100% in a long time.

Hornbeak is a good player and he will probably eventually get back to good play.

 

[CoachTalk]

I hope you guys are right. We need jelon now and in the future. Plenty of minutes to go around.

 

[bgrch1350]

Right now, everyone should just chock it up to him getting injured and expect it will take some time for him to get better. He's got a lot of potential...he just needs to stay healthy.

 

[slappy in OP]

I have faith in Hornbeak. As others have said, give him some time. I think he will show us some glimpses of last year as soon as he is fully fit.

Imagine this team with another weapon. So fun to watch these guys.