I love OU Basketball

[BCSooners]

If Buddy leaves then I think next year will be very similar to this year as far as ranking and talent. We will be bigger, better defensively and more athletic, but we lose our best perimeter and post scorers. I know we had something similar with Pledger and Fitz, but this is a different situation. Those had to score because of necessity, TT and Buddy score on a loaded team off ability and do other things great as well.

If Buddy comes back then I think instead of Sweet 16 being the primary goal it will be Elite 8 and beyond.

I won't even try to predict the year after that until I see the new players and progression from the current players next year.

 

[sperry]

Two years out isn't even worth predicting. There will be like 7 guys on the roster that haven't played yet for OU.

 

[WTSooner]

If Buddy leaves then I think next year will be very similar to this year as far as ranking and talent. We will be bigger, better defensively and more athletic, but we lose our best perimeter and post scorers. I know we had something similar with Pledger and Fitz, but this is a different situation. Those had to score because of necessity, TT and Buddy score on a loaded team off ability and do other things great as well.

Not sure about the better on D part. I know it sure seems like we could be, but we've been a top 5 defense much of the season against a pretty tough schedule (factored into the top 5 ranking). Just not sure we can expect to be any more efficient on that end. A regression, if even just due to luck, seems probable.

 

[jackson_supersooner]

I guess I'm not understanding the fact of buddy leaving...I don't see how that's a smart move. Most people don't even have him in their Mock 1st round draft. I think he's an AMAZING college player but I believe he has a long ways to go to create his own shot. He's a spot up shooter and as a spit up shooter you better be deadly. And he's just a "good" shooter. I think he has more to his game then he utilizes. If you remember his freshman season he was all about driving. He's definitely a different player now. I think the only logical move would to be to stay and see what scouts are saying he needs to improve upon and focus soley on those things and come into next year ready to be better. High to mid 2nd round would be an awful decision(ie willie warren) when you still have time to improve your skills. Just wouldn't understand the logic behind it.

 

[sperry]

He's ready to play professionally. Coming back for his senior year has very little chance of helping his draft stock. It's simply a matter of whether he wants to start collecting a paycheck, or if he's enjoying the college experience enough to want another year. People close to the situation seem to believe he's ready to move on.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Looking forward to next season, don’t forget about Khadeem. We have all seen how much players can improve between their freshman and sophomore seasons. I have learned to believe what Coach Kruger says. Regarding Khadeem Lattin, I will quote what Coach Kruger said on his TV show last night.

(Khadeem has) unbelievable potential. He has not had a lot of opportunity to score this year because he has a lot of scorers around him. As his role changes going forward, the sky is the limit for him. He has a ton of ability. ... He’s a bright guy; articulate; he’s upbeat; lots of energy; fun to be around; and like a said a really good teammate and he has a bright future.

Coach Kruger is not prone to hyperbole. On more than one occasion I have seen Coach Kruger “light up” when he talks about Khadeem. He gives the impression that he is imagining what a stud Khadeem can become.

 

[WTSooner]

Looking forward to next season, don’t forget about Khadeem. We have all seen how much players can improve between their freshman and sophomore seasons. I have learned to believe what Coach Kruger says. Regarding Khadeem Lattin, I will quote what Coach Kruger said on his TV show last night.



Coach Kruger is not prone to hyperbole. On more than one occasion I have seen Coach Kruger “light up” when he talks about Khadeem. He gives the impression that he is imagining what a stud Khadeem can become.

You can certainly see the defensive potential. He has a chance to be a really good defender, and might already be a really good rebounder.

The offense, is a little more difficult to see. Just seems really, really raw, which shocks me given his background. I expected a more polished offensive game from him. Is the potential there? I'm sure it is. And maybe he'll get the attention/reps/minutes this offseason and early next year to make that jump.

 

[BCSooners]

Not sure about the better on D part. I know it sure seems like we could be, but we've been a top 5 defense much of the season against a pretty tough schedule (factored into the top 5 ranking). Just not sure we can expect to be any more efficient on that end. A regression, if even just due to luck, seems probable.

I could see us being the same but not worse. Lattin will give us better rim protection, and maybe Manyang. Just depends on if Buddy leaves will Buford be ready to at least hold his own on the perimeter.

 

[garyeb2]

lol

Pledger has been gone two seasons now. I can't remember exactly what I predicted last year, but I certainly predicted us to be better this year. Better than we've been. Better than we were last year. And certainly better than we were Pledger's senior year.

I have a difficult time believing we'll be better both next year and the year after, than we were this year. Heck, some of you guys are talking 3 seed, with an outside shot at a two seed if things go really well. No way we will be a 3 seed or better both of the next two years. Both OU and Kruger's history should tell us that.

I've said there is an outside shot we could be better next year IF Buddy stays. If not, I don't see it. But the year after that? No way that team will be a 3 seed. That team will just have lost Buddy (if not the year before), Spangler, Cousins, and Walker. Even if the guys we are bringing in our better, they won't have much experience at all with our depth next year.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I'd bet you any amount of money OU doesn't get an equal or higher seed each of the next two seasons, as they have this season.

Is seeding in the tourney the final authority on a teams ability? And, I don't bet sports or anything to do with sports. I bet horses. After that, there is no gambling budget left.

But, I'm happy to give you a tip on how to improve your predictions in such matters. The formula for raising the performance of a group, be it a ball team or a sales staff or a group of accounts, is pretty simple. While your focus is on the top performers of the group, the most reliable method for improving group performance is to raise the bottom.

This years team, while they may still may accomplish great things, is not the team Kruger has been building for. Their bottom is too low. There may not be much more ceiling available at a school like OU. But, there is plenty of room to raise the bottom. Raise the bottom more than the ceiling drops and the group performance still goes up. That is the way Kruger does it and the way any turn around specialist in any field does it.

 

[CoachTalk]

WT, I feel you are just arguing to argue... So negative, not that we are sunshine pumpers but LK track record speaks.
Sure finding flaws is possible. But LK isnt going to give glowing reports on Lattin if he doesnt feel they are capable expectations.

 

[BCSooners]

Looking forward to next season, don’t forget about Khadeem. We have all seen how much players can improve between their freshman and sophomore seasons. I have learned to believe what Coach Kruger says. Regarding Khadeem Lattin, I will quote what Coach Kruger said on his TV show last night.



Coach Kruger is not prone to hyperbole. On more than one occasion I have seen Coach Kruger “light up” when he talks about Khadeem. He gives the impression that he is imagining what a stud Khadeem can become.

I have higher NBA aspirations for Lattin than anyone else on this team. Love the potential and energy he possesses.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Watching the highlights on the TV show last night, Khadeem has some nice pick-and-roll action where he finished at the rim. Early in the season, he gave a hint of a nice shooting touch on short jumpers. He has really good hands which is always a good asset on offense. He is motivated, smart, and has a mother than is pushing hard for him to succeed.

I like his chances to excel on both ends of the court. It will be fun to watch his development.

 

[BoulderSooner]

we will be much better at rim protection next season .. that will allow our guards to even push out further with their pressure d and help get in transition even more

 

[BigTime]

WT, I feel you are just arguing to argue... So negative, not that we are sunshine pumpers but LK track record speaks.
Sure finding flaws is possible. But LK isnt going to give glowing reports on DJ if he doesnt feel they are capable expectations.

He has been doing it on OU message boards for over 10 years. It is what it is. Different haircut same dead arm...

 

[DenverSooner]

Watching the highlights on the TV show last night, Khadeem has some nice pick-and-roll action where he finished at the rim. Early in the season, he gave a hint of a nice shooting touch on short jumpers. He has really good hands which is always a good asset on offense. He is motivated, smart, and has a mother than is pushing hard for him to succeed.

I like his chances to excel on both ends of the court. It will be fun to watch his development.

He has a father and grandfather that are pushing him too. He has John Lucas helping him. This kid has professional sport genetics on both sides of his family. There are so few humans in the world like that. To have one parent that is a professional athlete puts you in a very unique group.

I don't know the percentages but it is probably reasonable to speculate less than 2% of the population can play Division I sports. Of that small group a small percentage plays professionally. Then a very small percentage of them will marry another gifted athlete or the son of a gifted athlete. This kid has genetics that simply don't happen often. Now you combine that with size, money for good coaching and opportunity and you have something that is potentially special.

 

[WTSooner]

He has been doing it on OU message boards for over 10 years. It is what it is. Different haircut same dead arm...

I'm entitled to my opinion. And the only time I've really only been negative about OU basketball for an extended period of time, was during the Capel years. Period. I've been as positive as anybody about LK and the program lately. Just b/c I don't think this OU team is destined for some Elite 8 run, or that we're going to be better the next two years than we were this year, doesn't mean I'm being negative. Do I think this team deserves a 3 seed if the season ends today? No. And there are plenty around the country that predict that type of stuff, that agree with me. And some that don't.

You can cut out the pot shots at me as well. I noticed your others this past week, and let them go. Stop being a drama queen and talk hoops.

 

[jackson_supersooner]

WT, I feel you are just arguing to argue... So negative, not that we are sunshine pumpers but LK track record speaks.
Sure finding flaws is possible. But LK isnt going to give glowing reports on Lattin if he doesnt feel they are capable expectations.

Ok I didn't know if it was just me or what...glad I'm not the only one seeing this. I just wish it wasnt a "just because you said this I'm gonna say that!" Guess maybe I'm just not catching what there is to enjoy about doing that. To each their own though. Maybe just one of those days.

 

[vbdad]

If Buddy stays next year is our year. Buddy isn't ready for the NBA but there he certainly can make money playing ball if he wants.

No reason to think all of the guys won't improve. Has anyone noticed the difference in Cousins each year, Cam Clark's improvement, Buddy's and Ryan's.

Dante will swing between the 3 and 4. He is playing well in practice. Hopefully Manyang can play the coaches believe he can and he is huge.
Khadeem has great potential and LK believes he will score in the future. McNease has way more potential than DJ.

Let's hope Buddy decides to stay!

 

[jerry]

If Buddy stays next year is our year. Buddy isn't ready for the NBA but there he certainly can make money playing ball if he wants.

No reason to think all of the guys won't improve. Has anyone noticed the difference in Cousins each year, Cam Clark's improvement, Buddy's and Ryan's.

Dante will swing between the 3 and 4. He is playing well in practice. Hopefully Manyang can play the coaches believe he can and he is huge.
Khadeem has great potential and LK believes he will score in the future. McNease has way more potential than DJ.

Let's hope Buddy decides to stay!

Do you think if Buddy is not a #1 pick he stays?? I have heard both 1rst and 2nd round on where he will be picked??

 

[pnkranger]

I think Buddy is a second rounder this year because he lacks the elite level athleticism or physical potential of a guy like Oubre or even Brannen Greene. If he were two inches taller, that would change everything. Add to that his difficulty in creating a shot for himself in the halfcourt, and he's a perfect second round pick.

The challenge, though, is what will he gain by coming back. To me, if he feels he can come back, improve his handles and his ability to attack off the dribble against tight D, and move into the first round with a guaranteed three year contract, then it's worth it. If he's still a second round pick after next year, then he should go.