How much pride do the underclassmen have?

[NMSooner'80]

They didn't seem to have much this season. You'd think they'd be embarrassed about all the double-digit losses, many to teams that were good but far-from-great (while others were just plain embarrassing, like that "effort" at Lincoln).

I didn't get to see the last game, thank goodness. There's no excuse for not being competitive in Bedlam - especially since I can remember many times in the past when pitiful OSU teams either beat much-more talented OU teams or at least scared them to death. That first have was inexcusable by our guys.

If nothing else, you'd think they'd be embarrassed that Keiton Page showed them all up, and even got a blocked shot in the process.

It could accurately be said that OU's fan base has let down the men's basketball program since the start of the "infamous donor program." But this year's team definitely let down its fan base.

I'll be hoping for the best, being the natural-born "sunshine pumper" that I've been for so long, for the future. But I also don't think it's too much to ask for some non-seniors on this year's roster to do some soul-searching and come back with some serious heart and hustle next season.

 

[Krugerfan52]

I agree. I also agree with Capel that it's a joke that any of our players came out of that game thinking that the NBA is a possibility for them.

Especially TMG. When you get schooled by a 5-9 white boy from Pawnee, what makes you think you can play against NBA calibur players???

 

[bocabull]

Blaming freshman is silly. They are freshmen. You are to expect them to wear down, make mistakes, be immature, etc. You are just fooling yourself if you don't.

Why don't you check out the lines of the upper classmen in the last 2 games. There you will find the poorest performance. That is where we were lacking.

 

[NickZepp]

I agree with boca a little but I'm not sure we have a lot of talent with our freshmen. They have a long ways to go to being decent college players. But they didn't show any pride this year which is sad for our future if it continues.

 

[stoops4pres]

But they didn't show any pride this year which is sad for our future if it continues.

I'm going to vouch for Pledger after his Dillards incident... Anytime tears are shown during senior night--when you're a freshman--I think you have some pride in the team. Furthermore, he didn't quit vs. Ok State in the tournament, despite getting blown out.

 

[Krugerfan52]

Blaming freshman is silly. They are freshmen. You are to expect them to wear down, make mistakes, be immature, etc. You are just fooling yourself if you don't.

Why don't you check out the lines of the upper classmen in the last 2 games. There you will find the poorest performance. That is where we were lacking.

4 out of the 7 guys that were playing big minutes during this 9-game losing streak were freshman. They have to take a bunch of blame. You can't pin it all on Cade and Crocker. They were the only two guys that played hard most of the year.

 

[MichSooner]

Right now a couple of our freshman are delusional. TMG acting like he has a decision to make about the NBA? Give me a physical break. He is a very nice player with a very high upside but he is not NBA ready. Gallon? Check. Willie Warren? Possibly, but he will not get drafted high enough this year to make the big bucks.

The chemistry on this team - with the coach - seems to really suck. Not sure these guys have wholeheartedly bought into the concept that the name on the front of the jersey is a lot more important than them as an individual.

I sure hope to see some kids in the future less concerned about the NBA and more concerned about staying school and getting better and producing more as a team. Gallon and TMG worrying publically about the NBA is just a big frikking joke....

 

[buttermaker1]

I blame the coach not the freshman. He had 4 years to find and build this program. He whiffed bad, compare his team to Frank Martin's team.

No other comparsion is needed.

 

[Big Old Booger]

I'm going to vouch for Pledger after his Dillards incident... Anytime tears are shown during senior night--when you're a freshman--I think you have some pride in the team. Furthermore, he didn't quit vs. Ok State in the tournament, despite getting blown out.

I agree with you about Pledger (that he has pride), and he may have never "quit" during the osu game but he played some of the worst defense I've ever seen in that game. Not sure if he quit on the defensive end...I hate to say he did but his defense was so poor I hope he did quit. If not, he's got a long way to go before he can ever see significant minutes because you can't let somebody who plays defense like that ever get significant minutes.

 

[NMSooner'80]

My OP was not about affixing blame on anyone about this season. I just want to make sure the returning players aren't going to tank it next season, or at the very least act like they want to compete.

Just think about those games I mentioned with OSU from the past. In particular, their '86 and '87 teams got crushed in Norman and didn't even win 10 games either year, yet they won in Bedlam at the Pantry of Doom up in Stillwater both times. Our team was an underdog against them in the last two games but got embarrassed each time.

I don't ever want that to happen again in my lifetime, much less against an OSU team (this year) that wasn't as good as what OU had in 1986 or '87.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

We suck on defense and our coach sucks. Repeat 1,000 times.