How do we not go after another 1 year big?

[jackson_supersooner]

I love our guards. If buddy stays how do we not go sell out for another Thomas?? Go tell them they start and will be a part of a sweet 16 team that returns everyone but his spot and lost to an eventual final four team and finished second in the big 12 and they could make this team a national title contender.

 

[AdaSooner]

Maybe the coaches know something we don't.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I love our guards. If buddy stays how do we not go sell out for another Thomas?? Go tell them they start and will be a part of a sweet 16 team that returns everyone but his spot and lost to an eventual final four team and finished second in the big 12 and they could make this team a national title contender.

because manyang is very very good ..

 

[okhoops918]

because manyang is very very good ..

If he was "very, very good" he would've had more and better offers than Minnesota, ASU, and OU.

And he also would've put up more than 8.5/5.7 in JUCO.

I expect him to be a solid player for us and possibly starter but I think your definition of very, very good and mine are completely different.

 

[BigTime]

If he was "very, very good" he would've had more and better offers than Minnesota, ASU, and OU.

And he also would've put up more than 8.5/5.7 in JUCO.

I expect him to be a solid player for us and possibly starter but I think your definition of very, very good and mine are completely different.

You should look at minutes played and who he played with....

He has a chance to be the kind of interior defensive presence that can absolutely win you games.

Very good from a transfer to me means instant major impact from day one. I have heard nothing to suggest he won't be that.

 

[okhoops918]

You should look at minutes played and who he played with....

He has a chance to be the kind of interior defensive presence that can absolutely win you games.

Very good from a transfer to me means instant major impact from day one. I have heard nothing to suggest he won't be that.

Maybe that JUCO team is talented as I knew they were but he wasn't a starter on that team...how many bench players in JUCO turnaround to very very good players and starters at a major D1 program?

 

[jackson_supersooner]

I'm just as pumped about Manyang as the next guy. But to expect him to come in and play 30 minutes a game and put up 12 and 8 is a little much. He's a GREAT recruit and I think he will end up being a big time player. But with the open scholly and no "great" recruits left we get a second chance at bolstering our front court and we could go grab a 1 and done that could play about like Thomas. I just think it's a god send to have an open scholly and be able to grab a big time transfer and feed them the same pitch they fed Thomas. It'll will allow Manyang to gain a year under Krugers system before being thrown into the fire.

 

[colston15]

I'm with Jackson, if Buddy is back a one-year big that can score would be a fantastic add.

Of course, there are probably 50 other teams thinking the same thing.

 

[Zimwillett]

I'm just as pumped about Manyang as the next guy. But to expect him to come in and play 30 minutes a game and put up 12 and 8 is a little much. He's a GREAT recruit and I think he will end up being a big time player. But with the open scholly and no "great" recruits left we get a second chance at bolstering our front court and we could go grab a 1 and done that could play about like Thomas. I just think it's a god send to have an open scholly and be able to grab a big time transfer and feed them the same pitch they fed Thomas. It'll will allow Manyang to gain a year under Krugers system before being thrown into the fire.

Is there an immediately eligible transfer out there that fits this bill? If so, go and get him, but I don't want OU to just take someone to have another body.

If not, I'd expect Thomas' production to be filled "by committee". I'd expect Spangler's offensive numbers to increase as he'll become more of a focal point. I'm confident that between Lattin, Manyang, Buford, and maybe even McNeace that the remainder of Thomas' production will be accounted for.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Maybe that JUCO team is talented as I knew they were but he wasn't a starter on that team...how many bench players in JUCO turnaround to very very good players and starters at a major D1 program?

he was a starter before he left for personal reasons .. played big min when he came back ..

IHCC had 7 guy go D1 last year and will have 5 go this year ..

 

[AdaSooner]

Is there an immediately eligible transfer out there that fits this bill? If so, go and get him, but I don't want OU to just take someone to have another body.

If not, I'd expect Thomas' production to be filled "by committee". I'd expect Spangler's offensive numbers to increase as he'll become more of a focal point. I'm confident that between Lattin, Manyang, Buford, and maybe even McNeace that the remainder of Thomas' production will be accounted for.

That's what I think, too.

My observation is not meant to downplay TaShawn's impact this season. I'm grateful for everything he did for the program in his time at OU. He quickly became one of my favorite players.

That said, it's not like his 11.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg averages are mountains we can't climb the same way we have done every year for as long as I can remember: increased production from the returning players and someone new doing their share to offset the loss.

If Buddy stays, I honestly believe next year's team has the potential to score more points than the 71.5 ppg OU averaged this season. There are no guarantees, of course, but the potential, and most certainly the depth will be there for us to be better on offense.

 

[jackson_supersooner]

That's what I think, too.

My observation is not meant to downplay TaShawn's impact this season. I'm grateful for everything he did for the program in his time at OU. He quickly became one of my favorite players.

That said, it's not like his 11.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg averages are mountains we can't climb the same way we have done every year for as long as I can remember: increased production from the returning players and someone new doing their share to offset the loss.

If Buddy stays, I honestly believe next year's team has the potential to score more points than the 71.5 ppg OU averaged this season. There are no guarantees, of course, but the potential, and most certainly the depth will be there for us to be better on offense.

I understand what your saying but it's not just statistical. It's how he got his points. He draws defenses in and allows our shooters more open shots. People won't double down on Lattin(unless he improves his post game drastically). Thomas PPG are tricky. He worked down low and his post moves and ability for us to toss it down and tell him to go get us 2 is irreplaceable with our current roster. I have no idea what Manyang can do but I doubt he'll be able to have the offensive post game that Thomas had. I just wish Lon would go out and look for another big. Not just go ahead and say "we probably won't fill bookers scholarship" really wish we would go out and look for a guy to add some post game to our offense. Or else we will face pressure D alllll season. Thomas had a bigger impact on our offense then people may think....not saying it's gonna kill us but it will be missed.

 

[BigTime]

I'm just as pumped about Manyang as the next guy. But to expect him to come in and play 30 minutes a game and put up 12 and 8 is a little much. He's a GREAT recruit and I think he will end up being a big time player. But with the open scholly and no "great" recruits left we get a second chance at bolstering our front court and we could go grab a 1 and done that could play about like Thomas. I just think it's a god send to have an open scholly and be able to grab a big time transfer and feed them the same pitch they fed Thomas. It'll will allow Manyang to gain a year under Krugers system before being thrown into the fire.

I don't think he will get 12 and 8. Doesn't mean he isn't very good. I think his value will be in other areas mainly shot blocking/altering shots and post defense (an area of concern this year).

 

[Big Old Booger]

If he was "very, very good" he would've had more and better offers than Minnesota, ASU, and OU.

And he also would've put up more than 8.5/5.7 in JUCO.

I expect him to be a solid player for us and possibly starter but I think your definition of very, very good and mine are completely different.

I don't put much value into who recruited whom. We have signed studs in the past that had big holes in their game and weren't as good as advertised (Ryan Humphrey is one glaring example). We have also signed guys who nobody wanted and they ended up being much better than anyone expected (Buddy Hield is a glaring example and a recent one).

Players recruited by the likes of Minnesota and ASU are the type of players we have to get at OU and then once they are here they have to be developed. If Duke, KU and UNC want that player then 99% of the time he's not coming to OU unless he's from Oklahoma or we bought him. It sucks but it's the truth.

 

[jackson_supersooner]

I don't think he will get 12 and 8. Doesn't mean he isn't very good. I think his value will be in other areas mainly shot blocking/altering shots and post defense (an area of concern this year).

Yep that's why I'm excited about him. And that's why I think he will be good.

 

[okhoops918]

I don't put much value into who recruited whom. We have signed studs in the past that had big holes in their game and weren't as good as advertised (Ryan Humphrey is one glaring example). We have also signed guys who nobody wanted and they ended up being much better than anyone expected (Buddy Hield is a glaring example and a recent one).

Players recruited by the likes of Minnesota and ASU are the type of players we have to get at OU and then once they are here they have to be developed. If Duke, KU and UNC want that player then 99% of the time he's not coming to OU unless he's from Oklahoma or we bought him. It sucks but it's the truth.

True to an extent but you're wrong about Buddy. He was a top 100 recruit 4* who had offers from BC, Miami, Utah, mizzou (right off their big year), Memphis, colorado, wichita state,

 

[Big Old Booger]

True to an extent but you're wrong about Buddy. He was a top 100 recruit 4* who had offers from BC, Miami, Utah, mizzou (right off their big year), Memphis, colorado, wichita state,

Those are on the same level as Minnesota and ASU.

 

[soonernutt]

I'm just as pumped about Manyang as the next guy. But to expect him to come in and play 30 minutes a game and put up 12 and 8 is a little much. He's a GREAT recruit and I think he will end up being a big time player. But with the open scholly and no "great" recruits left we get a second chance at bolstering our front court and we could go grab a 1 and done that could play about like Thomas. I just think it's a god send to have an open scholly and be able to grab a big time transfer and feed them the same pitch they fed Thomas. It'll will allow Manyang to gain a year under Krugers system before being thrown into the fire.

Please list the available transfers, who are immediately eligible, who are as good as Thomas was, or better than Manyang has the potential to be. Or Buford, for that matter. We are losing a lot, but I think we are replacing it with a lot too. Plus, with guys who will be here more than one year.

 

[Zimwillett]

Please list the available transfers, who are immediately eligible, who are as good as Thomas was, or better than Manyang has the potential to be. Or Buford, for that matter. We are losing a lot, but I think we are replacing it with a lot too. Plus, with guys who will be here more than one year.

Yeah, I'm waiting on these names too. Guys like that don't grow on trees. Plus, I want to see OU start to develop some of their own recruits.

 

[AdaSooner]

I understand what your saying but it's not just statistical. It's how he got his points. He draws defenses in and allows our shooters more open shots. People won't double down on Lattin(unless he improves his post game drastically). Thomas PPG are tricky. He worked down low and his post moves and ability for us to toss it down and tell him to go get us 2 is irreplaceable with our current roster. I have no idea what Manyang can do but I doubt he'll be able to have the offensive post game that Thomas had. I just wish Lon would go out and look for another big. Not just go ahead and say "we probably won't fill bookers scholarship" really wish we would go out and look for a guy to add some post game to our offense. Or else we will face pressure D alllll season. Thomas had a bigger impact on our offense then people may think....not saying it's gonna kill us but it will be missed.

Like I said, my comments weren't meant to downplay TaShawn's impact at all. If you'll recall, I said all season that you couldn't measure what he brought to the team in points and rebounds [paraphrasing here]. I also said that I shuddered to think about where we would have been this season without him. I agree, it will be a lot harder to replace him than most people think.

But, that's the way it has been at the end of every season. Last year it was Clark, Neal and Hornbeak. The year before that it was M'Baye, Osby, Fitzgerald, Pledger and Grooms. You get the idea. The points and rebounds, etc. we'll lose with Thomas and now Booker gone will come from somewhere. Of that I'm certain.