Sam
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I've always been a very optimistic person when it comes to Sooner basketball. Even last year as upsetting as the season was I did my best to keep an upbeat outlook on it. Hoping that TJ Taylor and Cameron Clark would both provide a big impact as freshman and that TMG and Tiny would figure it out on and off the court.
Even this year with all the new faces I figured the best once again. I was drinking the kool-aid heavily by the time September rolled around and I was ready for hoops. I didn't expect a NCAA tournament type team, heck even in the best of fantasies I knew the NIT would be a best case scenario if the dominoes fell just right.
Perhaps it was delusion of grandeur as I expected too much of the newcomers. Especially as my "dream NIT scenario" hinged on the amazing performance of two true freshman. In our few true post players playing over their heads 30+ nights this season and giving quality rebounding and what not. A defined offensive system that maximizes our chances in the half court. etc, etc, etc.
Through 7 games my hopes for a NIT push seemed dash as many of the keys I assumed that would be there seem to have little chance of happening. I guess Cam and Cal could shock me and start to play consistently over their age but at this point I think they're going be typical true freshman with some big ups but at times hit the freshman wall.
Going into this season I was convinced that no matter how bad it was Capel would get another season and it would be a good thing that he would. This was based on showing some good coaching this year, pulling off the occasional reasonable upset (i.e. beating a down Arkansas team on the road), not losing any game we shouldn't (i.e. Chamindae).
Given that last year was a big learning experience for Capel, I optimistically figured this is the year we would see the fruit of those lessons. Capel molds this team in his image (guess this might be true in a bad way) and grind out a nice little season to use as a leaping board for next season.
The core is there for next year on paper with the talent.
With the backcourt anchored with battle tested versions of Calvin Newell and Cameron Clark.
Then the influx of big talent in Romero Osby and Robert Goff.
With experienced players like Thompson, Washington, Blair, Pledger and Fitzgerald providing further depth and valuable experience I figured this team had the makings of a tournament team.
Now with the way this season has gone I wonder even with a year and a talent upgrade in the front court if that is enough with Capel at the helm.
I've tried to ignore all the Capel criticism based around Blake Griffin but as I watch Blake take the league by storm and OU basketball still floundering its hard to not follow that logic for me.
I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say with this rambling rant. I guess that my faith on Capel is on its last legs. I hope my outlook changes, I hope my lack of faith is proven wrong but at this point its hard to see any other outcome.
With that said, at this point in the season all I know is there's 13 home games left and much as I worry about the future of the program with Capel at the helm, I'll be there at all of them. Cheering on this team cuz I'm a "sap" like that.
/sopabox over
Even this year with all the new faces I figured the best once again. I was drinking the kool-aid heavily by the time September rolled around and I was ready for hoops. I didn't expect a NCAA tournament type team, heck even in the best of fantasies I knew the NIT would be a best case scenario if the dominoes fell just right.
Perhaps it was delusion of grandeur as I expected too much of the newcomers. Especially as my "dream NIT scenario" hinged on the amazing performance of two true freshman. In our few true post players playing over their heads 30+ nights this season and giving quality rebounding and what not. A defined offensive system that maximizes our chances in the half court. etc, etc, etc.
Through 7 games my hopes for a NIT push seemed dash as many of the keys I assumed that would be there seem to have little chance of happening. I guess Cam and Cal could shock me and start to play consistently over their age but at this point I think they're going be typical true freshman with some big ups but at times hit the freshman wall.
Going into this season I was convinced that no matter how bad it was Capel would get another season and it would be a good thing that he would. This was based on showing some good coaching this year, pulling off the occasional reasonable upset (i.e. beating a down Arkansas team on the road), not losing any game we shouldn't (i.e. Chamindae).
Given that last year was a big learning experience for Capel, I optimistically figured this is the year we would see the fruit of those lessons. Capel molds this team in his image (guess this might be true in a bad way) and grind out a nice little season to use as a leaping board for next season.
The core is there for next year on paper with the talent.
With the backcourt anchored with battle tested versions of Calvin Newell and Cameron Clark.
Then the influx of big talent in Romero Osby and Robert Goff.
With experienced players like Thompson, Washington, Blair, Pledger and Fitzgerald providing further depth and valuable experience I figured this team had the makings of a tournament team.
Now with the way this season has gone I wonder even with a year and a talent upgrade in the front court if that is enough with Capel at the helm.
I've tried to ignore all the Capel criticism based around Blake Griffin but as I watch Blake take the league by storm and OU basketball still floundering its hard to not follow that logic for me.
I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say with this rambling rant. I guess that my faith on Capel is on its last legs. I hope my outlook changes, I hope my lack of faith is proven wrong but at this point its hard to see any other outcome.
With that said, at this point in the season all I know is there's 13 home games left and much as I worry about the future of the program with Capel at the helm, I'll be there at all of them. Cheering on this team cuz I'm a "sap" like that.
/sopabox over