Hypothetical ? Regarding Buddy.

[ousooners1baby]

We played so well without him. I love him and enjoy watching him as much as Osby and Pledger(when he competes). Would we be better off without him in our lineup from here on out? Cutting down some minutes from other players and getting Grooms in more has provided nothing but stability. Sometimes it takes a while to find the good lineupa and flow. We have found it. And any chance him coming back hurts? I say, no matter what, you put him out there and go!

 

[NickZepp]

We've had guys step up but a healthy Buddy will only make us better. He's a top tier defender.

 

[Chaser728]

I think we have now become a better team, then we were before he went down. But think what we will be when he is back to 100%? I think it makes us a possible for making a run to Weekend 2 in the tourney. That depends on him coming back to 100% by then, and of course who we draw.

 

[pnkranger]

While our offense has been better since Buddy was injured (from #58 to #27 in Ken Pom's Efficiency ranking, our defense has gone the opposite direction (from #51 to #75).

The team has played well without Buddy, but there's no reason to think that his insertion will damage the offensive flow now that they've had 8 games or so to work through the kinks.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

While our offense has been better since Buddy was injured (from #58 to #27 in Ken Pom's Efficiency ranking, our defense has gone the opposite direction (from #51 to #75).

The team has played well without Buddy, but there's no reason to think that his insertion will damage the offensive flow now that they've had 8 games or so to work through the kinks.

Definitely need Buddy back for his defense and his energy. I don't think it will affect the offense. I don't see why Grooms or Pledgers minutes would be lessened much if at all. IMO I don't think we should see Neal or Cousins the rest of the season. Hornbeak can play back up PG. Cousins scares the hell out of me with the ball and seems to make a lot of poor decisions.

 

[RyanMinorFanClub]

While our offense has been better since Buddy was injured (from #58 to #27 in Ken Pom's Efficiency ranking,

It has definitely showed. The last five games are the first time OU has scored over 80 in five straight games since the 00-01 season and that was in non-conference against North Texas, Coppin St, Texas St, Arkansas, and Oral Roberts. And the last time OU did that in conference play was the 1993-94 season.

 

[WTSooner]

Buddy can steal some of Hornbeak and Cam's minutes, allowing Hornbeak to get some of Cousins' minutes.

I do think the team has kind of changed their identity over the last few weeks, and I hope LK doesn't rush Hield back into a bunch of minutes, and disrupt that. Grooms is playing really well, and I think he is part of the reason Pledger is playing better. He does a good job of getting Pledger the ball on time, and in the right spots. The young guards struggled with that.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

Having him back 100% and in game shape will definitely help us. Until then maybe not.

 

[SoonerEyeDoc]

Having him back 100% and in game shape will definitely help us. Until then maybe not.

Exactly. His ball handling skills will also be needed when someone follows the Rick Barnes approach and plays 94 feet defensively until OU shows they can break it consistently

 

[ousooners1baby]

Well, first full game with Buddy back and Pledger was bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will chalk this up to a bad day but we looked very lethargic in the first half. I hope we get better again. We were playing so darn good to go south now.

 

[ousooners1baby]

Well? I know it is not Buddy's fault but what is happening to this team?

 

[Max Power]

Well? I know it is not Buddy's fault but what is happening to this team?

Nobody but cam and ro played great today

 

[ousooners1baby]

But it seemed prior to Buddy's return that everyone was playing well or contributing. Except maybe Cousins. I thought he played ok today.

 

[campbest]

This team is what it is...a streaky team that isn't consistent in any area, but when clicking is real dangerous.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Well? I know it is not Buddy's fault but what is happening to this team?

They've lost some confidence in themselves, probably as a result of the Texas game.

This team is trying to become the first NCAA tournament team after 3 losing seasons. When Kruger got here, he had to start from scratch with these guys. Remember how they played defense before Kruger arrived? They have come a long way, but their confidence in themselves could probably be described as fragile. The Texas game put some doubt in their minds and every time things don't go well, that doubt raises it's ugly head. It's another obstacle that they have to learn to overcome.

 

[sdcloud9]

They've lost some confidence in themselves, probably as a result of the Texas game.

This team is trying to become the first NCAA tournament team after 3 losing seasons. When Kruger got here, he had to start from scratch with these guys. Remember how they played defense before Kruger arrived? They have come a long way, but their confidence in themselves could probably be described as fragile. The Texas game put some doubt in their minds and every time things don't go well, that doubt raises it's ugly head. It's another obstacle that they have to learn to overcome.

This is so true. Learning to win close games over good teams is sometimes very difficult, especially for a team whose margin for error is small. I just hope the season's body of work gets them in the NCAA. This group deserves it after these years of struggle.