I'm biased, but I keep going back to some of these previews and the things that are being said and I'm starting to think that we have a chance to be even better this season than last season and possibly sneak into the Final Four. My reasons are as follows:
1. Star Power. In 99.9% of the games we play, we are going to have the most talented player on the court in Willie Warren. He came in as a Fr. and looked like the best player on the court when we played KU and UT. Kid has done nothing but improve his game since then and has an opportunity to be the NEXT consensus POY at Oklahoma. Just like Blake, him being on our team gives us a chance in every game and opens up opportunities for other guys.
2. Conference RPI. While I am not ready to just concede the conference to KU and UT, a third place finish in the B12 would possibly be good enough to garner a #2 seed in the tournament and certainly a #3 seed. If you play to seed, then you have made it to the Elite Eight and honestly, I'm not sure that I see a UNC out there this season at this point. Being battle tested in a tough conference could be the impetous to a Villanova type run in the NCAA .
3. Highly Touted Freshmen. Hmmm, just like last year we have a returning star, but instead of one highly thought of freshman McDAA, we now have two, both at positions of need. When I start to think of the Tiny Gallon and TMG that we will be seing in February and March, I start to get really, really upbeat about our chances to make a run. The progress that Tiny has made physically shows me that he has bought into whatever Coach is selling and is putting the effort in...I see no reason to think that he couldn't average 15/10 consistently in March. TMG is certainly that "pure point guard" that Capel's system is said to require and would like to think that he could be a 13/5 guy by March.
4. Talent. Let's face facts, much of the public feels like OU was really the Blake Griffin show the last two seasons and now that he is gone, OU is sunk. I certainly can appreciate that view point, but while Blake was getting the spotlight, OU was laying a foundation of talented players. A quick look at "star" rankings of our projected starters can show you that:
Projected Starters:
WW*****
TMG****
TC****
TG*****
RW****
UT and KU are good, but based on sheer "talent", OU matches up with anybody in the country with that starting five. I'll be curious to see the leadership roles that Willie, Tony and Ryan take on.
I mentioned Nova above; I cold see us pulling off a run like that.
1. Star Power. In 99.9% of the games we play, we are going to have the most talented player on the court in Willie Warren. He came in as a Fr. and looked like the best player on the court when we played KU and UT. Kid has done nothing but improve his game since then and has an opportunity to be the NEXT consensus POY at Oklahoma. Just like Blake, him being on our team gives us a chance in every game and opens up opportunities for other guys.
2. Conference RPI. While I am not ready to just concede the conference to KU and UT, a third place finish in the B12 would possibly be good enough to garner a #2 seed in the tournament and certainly a #3 seed. If you play to seed, then you have made it to the Elite Eight and honestly, I'm not sure that I see a UNC out there this season at this point. Being battle tested in a tough conference could be the impetous to a Villanova type run in the NCAA .
3. Highly Touted Freshmen. Hmmm, just like last year we have a returning star, but instead of one highly thought of freshman McDAA, we now have two, both at positions of need. When I start to think of the Tiny Gallon and TMG that we will be seing in February and March, I start to get really, really upbeat about our chances to make a run. The progress that Tiny has made physically shows me that he has bought into whatever Coach is selling and is putting the effort in...I see no reason to think that he couldn't average 15/10 consistently in March. TMG is certainly that "pure point guard" that Capel's system is said to require and would like to think that he could be a 13/5 guy by March.
4. Talent. Let's face facts, much of the public feels like OU was really the Blake Griffin show the last two seasons and now that he is gone, OU is sunk. I certainly can appreciate that view point, but while Blake was getting the spotlight, OU was laying a foundation of talented players. A quick look at "star" rankings of our projected starters can show you that:
Projected Starters:
WW*****
TMG****
TC****
TG*****
RW****
UT and KU are good, but based on sheer "talent", OU matches up with anybody in the country with that starting five. I'll be curious to see the leadership roles that Willie, Tony and Ryan take on.
I mentioned Nova above; I cold see us pulling off a run like that.
