I'm impressed with how the breaks

[j2d2]

are seeming to go in our favor since Kruger was hired. It seems initially at least that we will be in far better shape next year than I had even imagined we could be. Have you noticed that, when things are down, if you make the right first move, the situation immediately starts to look better?

 

[cowboysooner]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

So far, I am impressed with Kruger.

1) Keeps Yo Yo, I was impressed with the physical improvement and conditioning of the team last year.
2) brings his loyal staff and best recruiters with him, all knowledgable and connected to this region.
3) Makes what looks like a great hire in Crutchfield. I like evans but that would have been really awkward to hire a guy that wanted the head coaching job. Crutch knows oklahoma and texas and is connected in this region.
4) immediately saw the primary weaknesses on this team, point and post, and brought kids in at those positions that will at least give us some competition and depth at those positions.
5) I'm sure they are good kids and I wish them well, but Hardrick, goff and Thompson weren't going to help us during the remainder of their careers and he has parted ways with them and opened up some spots to fill with better talent.
6) making a concerted effort to reconnect with the student body
7) Normally not a big deal, but with a need to generate some interest in the program (due to its waining), he has announced open practices and available communications with he and his staff.
8) And, we need some really good players going forward and Mbaye is a good player. Don't have to speculate or project, he can play. We won't have him next year I guess, but we know he can play.

So, all in all, really good start I would say.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

So far, I am impressed with Kruger.

1) Keeps Yo Yo, I was impressed with the physical improvement and conditioning of the team last year.
2) brings his loyal staff and best recruiters with him, all knowledgable and connected to this region.
3) Makes what looks like a great hire in Crutchfield. I like evans but that would have been really awkward to hire a guy that wanted the head coaching job. Crutch knows oklahoma and texas and is connected in this region.
4) immediately saw the primary weaknesses on this team, point and post, and brought kids in at those positions that will at least give us some competition and depth at those positions.
5) I'm sure they are good kids and I wish them well, but Hardrick, goff and Thompson weren't going to help us during the remainder of their careers and he has parted ways with them and opened up some spots to fill with better talent.
6) making a concerted effort to reconnect with the student body
7) Normally not a big deal, but with a need to generate some interest in the program (due to its waining), he has announced open practices and available communications with he and his staff.
8) And, we need some really good players going forward and Mbaye is a good player. Don't have to speculate or project, he can play. We won't have him next year I guess, but we know he can play.

So, all in all, really good start I would say.

That sir, is an excellent analysis!

:OUbball-logo:

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

So far, I am impressed with Kruger.

1) Keeps Yo Yo, I was impressed with the physical improvement and conditioning of the team last year.
2) brings his loyal staff and best recruiters with him, all knowledgable and connected to this region.
3) Makes what looks like a great hire in Crutchfield. I like evans but that would have been really awkward to hire a guy that wanted the head coaching job. Crutch knows oklahoma and texas and is connected in this region.
4) immediately saw the primary weaknesses on this team, point and post, and brought kids in at those positions that will at least give us some competition and depth at those positions.
5) I'm sure they are good kids and I wish them well, but Hardrick, goff and Thompson weren't going to help us during the remainder of their careers and he has parted ways with them and opened up some spots to fill with better talent.
6) making a concerted effort to reconnect with the student body
7) Normally not a big deal, but with a need to generate some interest in the program (due to its waining), he has announced open practices and available communications with he and his staff.
8) And, we need some really good players going forward and Mbaye is a good player. Don't have to speculate or project, he can play. We won't have him next year I guess, but we know he can play.

So, all in all, really good start I would say.

I'd have to say a pretty impressive month or so.

 

[Perk's Scowl]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

I never thought we were in that bad of shape to begin with coming into this year. Kruger definitely helped his cause by bringing in a point guard and a center that should be able to help right away, though.

Pg:
Blair and Grooms should be better than Blair and Newell. Newell was playing the wrong position, and Blair was having to carry to brunt of the PG duties even when he was struggling.

SG:
Pledge/Clark/Newell all are serviceable at the 2. Hopefully, Clark won't have to play much at the 2, and Newell will be more comfortable playing his natural position.

SF:
Clark/Neal: Both should benefit from having a year's experience in the Big XII. I can't imagine either one taking a step back from last year.

F: Osby/Washington: Very athletic. Hopefully, Osby is as good as advertised. Washington is one of the players that could shine this year with some more coaching and playing time.

PF/C Fitz/Arent: Hopefully, Fitz works on his rebounding and defense during the off-season. Arent will be our biggest body, so he will be needed to bang down low and rebound and play defense.

I think all of our guys will benefit from playing under Kruger and having a defined system of offense and defense.

 

[coolm]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

all good points. it HAS been a good month for Sooner basketball. certainly reason to smile for Sooner fans.

 

[AdaSooner]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

So far, I am impressed with Kruger.

1) Keeps Yo Yo, I was impressed with the physical improvement and conditioning of the team last year.
2) brings his loyal staff and best recruiters with him, all knowledgable and connected to this region.
3) Makes what looks like a great hire in Crutchfield. I like evans but that would have been really awkward to hire a guy that wanted the head coaching job. Crutch knows oklahoma and texas and is connected in this region.
4) immediately saw the primary weaknesses on this team, point and post, and brought kids in at those positions that will at least give us some competition and depth at those positions.
5) I'm sure they are good kids and I wish them well, but Hardrick, goff and Thompson weren't going to help us during the remainder of their careers and he has parted ways with them and opened up some spots to fill with better talent.
6) making a concerted effort to reconnect with the student body
7) Normally not a big deal, but with a need to generate some interest in the program (due to its waining), he has announced open practices and available communications with he and his staff.
8) And, we need some really good players going forward and Mbaye is a good player. Don't have to speculate or project, he can play. We won't have him next year I guess, but we know he can play.

So, all in all, really good start I would say.

Excellent post, and spot on! :clap

I'll also add that there seems to be a renewed interest in the program from a number of high profile recruits since Kruger arrived. The key, of course, is to take that next step by getting their signatures on an LOI when the time comes. But it sure is nice to read and hear good things aobut OU basketball again.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

Excellent post, and spot on! :clap

I'll also add that there seems to be a renewed interest in the program from a number of high profile recruits since Kruger arrived. The key, of course, is to take that next step by getting their signatures on an LOI when the time comes. But it sure is nice to read and hear good things aobut OU basketball again.

Now that you can't negative recruit OU by saying that Capel is likely gone we should be hearing about interest from quite a few new guys as well. Now we just need to get whatever NCAA penalty that "may" be looming out of the way so we can eliminate the last of legitimate "negative" things that can be used against our program.

 

[mardaddy51]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

I sure hope osby can play the 3, moving Clark to the 2. Meaning, that I hope Arent is good enough to push Fitz to the 4.

 

[Dr Sleep]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

I sure hope osby can play the 3, moving Clark to the 2. Meaning, that I hope Arent is good enough to push Fitz to the 4.

If he moves Clark to the the 2, then he or pledge will come of the bench.

 

[CoachTalk]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

I sure hope osby can play the 3, moving Clark to the 2. Meaning, that I hope Arent is good enough to push Fitz to the 4.

Clark cant play the 2. basketball teams (us and most others) need more than one guy that can handle the ball. Clark cant/couldnt handle the ball againist pressure.

 

[boksooner]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

Clark is a 3. Osby is a 4. I don't understand the obsession with playing players out of position. It reminds me of when everyone was trying to turn TG into a small forward. We may see Clark, Osby, Fitz and Arent play together in spots, but it won't be our regular line-up.

 

[WTSooner]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

Clark is a 3. Osby is a 4. I don't understand the obsession with playing players out of position. It reminds me of when everyone was trying to turn TG into a small forward. We may see Clark, Osby, Fitz and Arent play together in spots, but it won't be our regular line-up.

Thank you. I agree. I don't know why everybody likes to move players around so much. It almost never happens once the season starts. And it's almost always that 3/4 spot.

 

[CoachTalk]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

Clark is a 3. Osby is a 4. I don't understand the obsession with playing players out of position. It reminds me of when everyone was trying to turn TG into a small forward. We may see Clark, Osby, Fitz and Arent play together in spots, but it won't be our regular line-up.

Thanks... I keep repeating the same statement over and over, but folks cant understand you can just have a pg out there with 3forwards and "center" or 4 forwards... doesnt work like that!

 

[BoulderSooner]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

Clark is a 3. Osby is a 4. I don't understand the obsession with playing players out of position. It reminds me of when everyone was trying to turn TG into a small forward. We may see Clark, Osby, Fitz and Arent play together in spots, but it won't be our regular line-up.

OSBY is a 3 also .. he is not a 4 will he play some 4 of course .. but he is also going to play on the wing a ton this year

 

[WTSooner]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

OSBY is a 3 also .. he is not a 4 will he play some 4 of course .. but he is also going to play on the wing a ton this year

Based on what?

Ace and Selvy both wandered outside quite a bit on offense, yet neither of them were 3's. Nate Carter did as well. Taylor Griffin? Every year we have this debate, and every year the player in question plays nearly entirely at the 4 position.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

Based on what?

Ace and Selvy both wandered outside quite a bit on offense, yet neither of them were 3's. Nate Carter did as well. Taylor Griffin? Every year we have this debate, and every year the player in question plays nearly entirely at the 4 position.

This is true and it makes the most sense.

At 6'8" 225, Osby is about the same size or bigger than 90% of the "PF's" he will be playing against next season, there are guys playing the PF position in the NBA that are about the same size as well. The trend in CBB seems to be "hybrid" PF's who can stretch you out on defense and be versatile. Just like Blake was a true center in CBB but a PF in the NBA, I think Osby is a true PF in CBB who [if he is good enough] is probably SF in the NBA. JMHO.

 

[cosmic_sooner]

back to the OP, as they say...you make your breaks.

i think this is exactly the kind of attitude LK is bringing to the program. all i ask for is a team that's hard to play against. overachieving, plays within themselves, rebounds, plays D, has some offensive identity and just pesky.

these are the teams who finish top 3-4 in their conference and can make some noise in the tourney. of course aside from McAA heavy teams like UNC, KU, UK, UT, etc.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

OSBY is a 3 also .. he is not a 4 will he play some 4 of course .. but he is also going to play on the wing a ton this year

If I had a dime for every time you have said this, I would be wealthy now.

How do you know? Is this based on something you were told by the coaching staff or based on your own intelligence?

 

[SoonerNorm]

Re: I'm imjpressed with how the breaks

That sir, is an excellent analysis!

:OUbball-logo:

Agree completely!