Is it over for Buford this year ...

[pnkranger]

... ? Or does he still have a shot to get eligible?

It's a real bummer he can't play. This does mean, though, that he should be GREAT as a senior.

 

[CoachTalk]

He's redshirting... Hoping to get him to practice.

 

[vbdad]

Yes it is over. He can practice the second semester. They are trying to get him to be able to practice this semester.

 

[DenverSooner]

What about being allowed to practice? My recollection is the NCAA didn't even want him to practice so he could focus on school and OU said he did fine in summer school while practicing. To me it is a big deal whether or not he gets to practice.

If the NCAA really cared about this kid and the others in his situation (where they are not at fault), they would say you must turn in your grades throughout the semester and so long as you have a 2.5 (or whatever the bench mark is) you may practice but if your grades fall below that level you cannot practice until you bring them up. However, the NCAA doesn't really care one bit about any of these kids.

 

[usedtobe1]

Yes it is over. He can practice the second semester. They are trying to get him to be able to practice this semester.

Is it true for sure he can practice with the team for the 2nd semester? If so, here's my real question. Finals are over in mid-December. Can he start practicing mid-December or does he have to wait until classes start in January?

I assume he will begin in December.

 

[Max Power]

Is it true for sure he can practice with the team for the 2nd semester? If so, here's my real question. Finals are over in mid-December. Can he start practicing mid-December or does he have to wait until classes start in January?

I assume he will begin in December.

Probably once Grades are in he can practice, assuming he makes the grades required.

 

[AdaSooner]

Is it true for sure he can practice with the team for the 2nd semester? If so, here's my real question. Finals are over in mid-December. Can he start practicing mid-December or does he have to wait until classes start in January?

I assume he will begin in December.

If vbdad says Dante has been approved to practice the second semester, you can take it to the bank. What Max Power said about the timing makes sense to me.

It's a shame he can't be out there with his teammates the first semester. The fact that none of what he's going through was his fault, makes it even worse.

 

[bgrch1350]

I've been wondering what happened to Buford. Thank goodness Thomas is eligible. What looked like a decent recruiting class has really gone in the opposite direction when 2 of the 4 guys are redshirting. Hope our starting 5 can take us far.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Things are lining up nicely. Here's the current scholarship situation.

Backcourt
> Isaiah Cousins ... 6-4, 187, G, Junior
> Buddy Hield ... 6-4, 209, G, Junior
> Dinjiyl Walker... 6-1, 193, G, Junior
> Jordan Woodard ... 6-0, 182, G, Sophomore
> Frank Booker ... 6’4, 211, G, Sophomore

Frontcourt
> TaShawn Thomas … 6-8, 240, F, Senior
> D.J. Bennett ... 6-8, 207, F, Senior
> Ryan Spangler ... 6-8, 231, F, Junior
> C.J. Cole ... 6-7, 232, F, Sophomore
> Khadeem Lattin … 6-9, 200, F, Freshman

Redshirting Players
> Dante Buford … 6-7, 208, Wing, Freshman
> Jamuni McNeace … 6-10, 196, C, Freshman

**************************

Also, the future looks to be very promising, with the recently signed recruiting class:

2015 Recruiting Class
> Akolda Manyang … 7-0, 235, C … Indian Hills CC
> Rashard Odomes … 6-6, 195, SG … Copperas Cove, TX
> Christian James … 6-4, 205, SG … Bellaire, TX

If it benefits both the player and the team, there could be an opportunity for someone to redshirt next year also.

 

[BigTime]

I've been wondering what happened to Buford. Thank goodness Thomas is eligible. What looked like a decent recruiting class has really gone in the opposite direction when 2 of the 4 guys are redshirting. Hope our starting 5 can take us far.

You don't judge a recruiting class until the kids are done at your school - retrospectively. Its foolish to do it any other way.

I think that class and this current class are going to be really solid.

One thing that I really like about this staff is that they always seem to have a plan B. Case in point, lost Shake, and still had options. The days of hearing about Oklahoma watching Harrison Barnes run in the snow are probably over, and admittedly that was fun, but, I think if Kruger and Henson can build with solid 3-4 year guys then Oklahoma will be just fine and it is much more sustainable. The key is landing an impact transfer and/or a high 4/low 5 star guy that is local every 2 years or so. I think Longar's cousin is that type of recruit in this current class.

 

[bgrch1350]

You don't judge a recruiting class until the kids are done at your school - retrospectively. Its foolish to do it any other way.

I think that class and this current class are going to be really solid.

One thing that I really like about this staff is that they always seem to have a plan B. Case in point, lost Shake, and still had options. The days of hearing about Oklahoma watching Harrison Barnes run in the snow are probably over, and admittedly that was fun, but, I think if Kruger and Henson can build with solid 3-4 year guys then Oklahoma will be just fine and it is much more sustainable. The key is landing an impact transfer and/or a high 4/low 5 star guy that is local every 2 years or so. I think Longar's cousin is that type of recruit in this current class.

I judge a recruiting class by having a 13 man roster and only being able to play 9 plus cole.

And these guys are more like plan C and D. We didn't get Trier and We didn't get Shake.

And as for your Harrison Barnes comment. That same class that we lost him to UNC, we brought in TJ Taylor, CJ Washington, Cameron Clark, Abdul Ahmed, Carl Blair, Nick Thompson, Calvin Newell, Tyler Neal, and Romero Osby.

 

[JBaker]

I like it when plan C and D gets us top 150 players instead of Abdul Ahmed.

What was Isaiah Cousins ranked coming out of high school? The number 92 SG according to ESPN, and unranjed anywhere by Rivals.

And it's looking like we are about to get a top 40 national player for 2016.

Recruiting is the absolute last thing I'm worried about. Shake wouldn't have started next year anyway.

 

[Max Power]

Back on topic, as long as Buford gets a 2.5 in the 1st semester he can start practicing

 

[bgrch1350]

I like it when plan C and D gets us top 150 players instead of Abdul Ahmed.

What was Isaiah Cousins ranked coming out of high school? The number 92 SG according to ESPN, and unranjed anywhere by Rivals.

And it's looking like we are about to get a top 40 national player for 2016.

Recruiting is the absolute last thing I'm worried about. Shake wouldn't have started next year anyway.

If Buddy leaves, your telling me that Shake wouldn't start in his place?

 

[BigTime]

If Buddy leaves, your telling me that Shake wouldn't start in his place?

Certainly not a guarantee. Booker has inside track IMO.