Is our recruiting class enough?

[pnkranger]

We will be replacing two seniors with three freshmen. While McNeace and Lattin are a significant upgrade on Neal as a pair, Buford is not yet an even up trade with Cam.

If we "don't have the horses" as many (including Kruger) have implied this year to take the next step -- will we have them next year?

I personally think we're still one short ... just not sure which position would be most valuable at this point.

 

[DenverSooner]

I think OU is going to be very good next season. Hield, Hornbeak, Cousins, Woodard and Booker will be as good as any backcourt in the conference. The front line will have the best rebounder in the conference in Spangler. Bennet will be improved. Lattin and McNease add size. Buford is a great athlete.

Perhaps OU could take another player but I don't think it is necessary. I think the staff is in the position to pass if they don't get a player they really like.

 

[JBaker]

I think OU is going to be very good next season. Hield, Hornbeak, Cousins, Woodard and Booker will be as good as any backcourt in the conference. The front line will have the best rebounder in the conference in Spangler. Bennet will be improved. Lattin and McNease add size. Buford is a great athlete.

Perhaps OU could take another player but I don't think it is necessary. I think the staff is in the position to pass if they don't get a player they really like.

Agreed.
Keep in mind, the rest of our guys will have another year under their belt.
I expect Woodard to make a pretty sizable jump, and the sophomores to continue to improve. Our good players will improve, and the new guys will add much-needed depth in the front court.

 

[DenverSooner]

Agreed.
Keep in mind, the rest of our guys will have another year under their belt.
I expect Woodard to make a pretty sizable jump, and the sophomores to continue to improve. Our good players will improve, and the new guys will add much-needed depth in the front court.

I also think they are going to get a guy they really like.

 

[stoopified]

We will be replacing two seniors with three freshmen. While McNeace and Lattin are a significant upgrade on Neal as a pair, Buford is not yet an even up trade with Cam.

If we "don't have the horses" as many (including Kruger) have implied this year to take the next step -- will we have them next year?

I personally think we're still one short ... just not sure which position would be most valuable at this point.

I don't think it is necessary to replace Cam,the fact is the makeup of the team will change and therefore in all likelihood so will the approach on offense and defense. IF I were going to add another it would be at point so that we would have two true pointguards.Lon isn't going to add a body,he will be looking to improve the team soI won't be shocked if he adds a player or stands pat.

 

[WTSooner]

I'm not sure Lon wants to add another pg, or maybe even a guard, for fear of it scaring off Trier or Shake. I've read that both of those guys could play some point if they were asked to, and both are definitely 2/3 types otherwise. And I think Lon really wants both of those guys in the next class.

I'm going to let this season play out before I answer your question though. Because at this point, we don't even know what the "next step" really is.

 

[campbest]

I can't see McNeace contributing much next year...he definitely isn't 6'10", very lean and still learning the game. He can get-up very well, but still struggles mightily with basketball skills.

He needs a redshirt year, but may not be afforded the opportunity.

 

[garyeb2]

They would like to have another player. They won't just take another body. They are looking for a forward type with a "hard edge" A player simular to the Houge kid from Iowa St.

 

[WTSooner]

He needs a redshirt year, but may not be afforded the opportunity.

We can probably get by at the 4/5 spots with Spangler, Buford, Lattin, and Bennett if we had to, but I agree, another body wouldn't hurt. Whether that ends up being McNease, or somebody else.

 

[BoulderSooner]

we should stand pat and save the ship for 2015 when we will want to take 3 guys ..

 

[OUHoosier]

I keep thinking this would be the perfect year (2014-15) to add a graduate transfer. While I'm sure it's easier said than done, I would imagine OU would be really attractive for a big with one year looking to win. You'd still have the 2015 scholarship and plugs a hole while allowing McNease to redshirt.

 

[oketex]

Just wondering guys what kinda size will we have up front next year, I know everyone says we are big in the front count now so just wondering.

 

[Sooner76]

Just wondering guys what kinda size will we have up front next year, I know everyone says we are big in the front count now so just wondering.

Are you serious? We are tiny in the front court right now.

 

[Sooner76]

I think we will be great next year. We just need one more big body, a shot blocker would be nice. I think Lattin will be servicable for that purpose. Maybe the light comes on for Bennett as well, and with another year in the weight room.

 

[WaymanFan]

I'd rather use the scholarship if it's with someone who can help us. Just about every year we lose somebody unexpected whether it be a current player transferring (ex: Newell), someone who never makes it onto campus (ex: Avila) or someone deciding to end their collegiate career prematurely (ex: M'baye). Forget optimism or pessimism...if we simply were to place odds of either a transfer or someone not making it onto campus, based on past experience, there would be somewhere between an 80-90% chance of attrition. That's why I'm against saving scholarships unless there is truly no one who can help us.

I can't imagine why people think I over-analyze things.

 

[campbest]

A graduate transfer would be a very nice addition, IMO.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I'd rather use the scholarship if it's with someone who can help us. Just about every year we lose somebody unexpected whether it be a current player (ex: Newell) or someone who never makes it onto campus (ex: Avila). Forget optimism or pessimism...if we simply were to place odds of either a transfer or someone not making it onto campus, based on past experience, there would be somewhere between an 80-90% chance of attrition. That's why I'm against saving scholarships unless there is truly no one who can help us.

I can't imagine why people think I over-analyze things.

i think the odds that we lose someone on the current roster before next season (other than the seniors) is close to 0

 

[brettromar]

I'm not sure Lon wants to add another pg, or maybe even a guard, for fear of it scaring off Trier or Shake. I've read that both of those guys could play some point if they were asked to, and both are definitely 2/3 types otherwise. And I think Lon really wants both of those guys in the next class.

I'm going to let this season play out before I answer your question though. Because at this point, we don't even know what the "next step" really is.

Shake is more of a point Han a 2/3.

Bad news is not too long ago the dream is unc and fall back Texas.

 

[jerry]

I can't see McNeace contributing much next year...he definitely isn't 6'10", very lean and still learning the game. He can get-up very well, but still struggles mightily with basketball skills.

He needs a redshirt year, but may not be afforded the opportunity.

Yeah I talked to someone who has seen him twice in Dallas area and he thinks he should definitely redshirt.

 

[WaymanFan]

i think the odds that we lose someone on the current roster before next season (other than the seniors) is close to 0

In all honesty, Boulder, I want you to be correct. It's just that I think this same thing every year, and seemingly every year I end up wrong...by changing my thinking, I hope to be wrong again. In the meantime, I will still hope we can find someone who can help us next year. I like Campbest's suggestion of a graduate transfer.