Isaiah Cousins and Tyler Neal

[soonerfud]

Oh I don't think we should pull his scholly. But I don't think we are winning any conference championships with him at the point either. I think he can contribute at some point, but he is not ready right now by any stretch!! And I haven't even seen the kid in person, just watched 5 or 6 games on tv, so you guys would know how athletic he is way more than I would. I just think a quality Big 12 guard can create things off the dribble at times. I've seen none of that from him. I have in the other 2 frosh.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Not only do these guys not score but they really provide nothing positive while on the court. I would hope Tyler Neal's playing time will be close to 0 in big 12 play and cousins used off the bench if needed.

i do like cousins defense but thats about it

 

[AdaSooner]

In my opinion, Cousins was our best guard in the preseason scrimmages and ex hibition games and I agreed with Lon that he should be the starting guard. Early in the season, I put something on this board that was something to the effect that I thought he was the best or had the most potential of the freshman. Unfortunately, he has been slow to develop. Like tons of freshman, he has played without confidence and agression. He has played tight, and then his poor start has made him even worse.

But, he is going to be a player in time and I think Lon is handling him like an experianced coach that has seen a lot of talented freshman struggle and then become a good player.

I thought the same thing about Cousins early on. Since that time, he has obviously hit the proverbial freshman wall. I still believe the tools are there, he just can't seem to get over the slump he's in, and now he's trying so hard he's only making it worse. One thing is for sure, it's way too early to give up on this kid. He's a freshman, for goodness sakes!

I don't have that same feeling about Neal I think we all knew that he was a long shot to be successful at the next level. At well over the halfway point of his career, I don't see a heck of a lot improvement in his game. As WTSooner pointed out earlier, he can be an asset when he's making shots from the perimeter. But the combination of his tweener size and skills does not serve him well on defense, or in scoring on the inside.

By all accounts, Tyler is a fine young man, so I would love to be wrong in my assessment of what I have seen so far.

 

[ksSooner13]

Cousins is just a raw talent, and we all knew this coming into the season. He was a late signing player that LK took a chance on that won the starting job at the beginning of the year. Give the kid some time to mature and develop as a player. No one thought he would start 10 of the first 12 games, so what if he's hit a wall, Pledger had the same thing happen to him freshman year and he's turned out to be a pretty key part of our team.

Just saying that before we throw the kid under the "wasted scholarship bus" remember that he's 18 and under LK he will develop into one of the key guard pieces you need to succeed in the Big 12 and the NCAA. Just give him time to find his D-1 legs and everything will be okay.

 

[SoonerinNC]

The key to me is that Kruger says we haven't seen what Cousins can do yet. He had some really good early games against lesser competition. We know he can shoot the ball. Just hasn't converted it to game action on any consistency. He is pressing now and shooting the ball in bad rhythm and on bad angles.

It is kid of harsh to suggest that a freshman doesn't deserve a scholarship just because he has lost his starting position.

 

[DenverSooner]

I don't see how Neal can continue to shoot this poorly. In two seasons he has averaged above 40% (combined for both sasons) and above 30% from 3 point range. It defies logic for his shooting to be so bad this season and particularly over the last 5 games. It sure would be nice if he were to start hitting his 3 point shot although with the way he has been playing he might not get much of a chance.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

We know he can shoot the ball.

How do we know this?

 

[AdaSooner]

How do we know this?

'Cause he shot the ball better last year. His .392% from the field and 34%from three last season was not what some would call great, but that's not what I would call bad either. His shooting last year was definitely a lot better than his .192% from the field and 20% from three so far this season.

The part that bothers me the most is that, while Tyler should be showing signs of improving in his junior season, he has gotten worse in the area that nearly everyone here would say is his greatest (and maybe only) strength, perimeter shooting.

Some might also say that's because he's playing fewer minutes now, and there may be some truth to that. His average minutes has declined from 13.1mpg last season to the current 9.6 mpg this year. Problem is, his playing time will likely go down, not up, if he continues to shoot the ball so poorly. Isiah Cousins will confirm that to be true.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

'Cause he shot the ball better last year. His .392% from the field and 34%from three last season was not what some would call great, but that's not what I would call bad either. His shooting last year was definitely a lot better than his .192% from the field and 20% from three so far this season.

The part that bothers me the most is that, while Tyler should be showing signs of improving in his junior season, he has gotten worse in the area that nearly everyone here would say is his greatest (and maybe only) strength, perimeter shooting.

Some might also say that's because he's playing fewer minutes now, and there may be some truth to that. His average minutes has declined from 13.1mpg last season to the current 9.6 mpg this year. Problem is, his playing time will likely go down, not up, if he continues to shoot the ball so poorly. Isiah Cousins will confirm that to be true.

all this is true for Neal but my post was referring to Cousins

 

[OKUman]

Cousins last 5 games
2-22 overall
1-8 from three

Neal last 5 games
0-9 overall
0-6 from three

Together that is:

2-31 overall for 6%
1-14 from three for 7%

I would like to see Kruger sculpt these guys into role players and get them to buy into doing the dirty work. Why in the world would we want these two guys shooting 6 shots per game that could go to Osby, M'Baye, Pledger, Hield, Hornbeak, Clark, etc.

I actually thought it was worse than that. He has gone down hill since last year. Hope he starts hitting cause it sure dosn't look like he will stop shooting.

 

[schoonerdriver]

I don't see how Neal can continue to shoot this poorly. In two seasons he has averaged above 40% (combined for both sasons) and above 30% from 3 point range. It defies logic for his shooting to be so bad this season and particularly over the last 5 games. It sure would be nice if he were to start hitting his 3 point shot although with the way he has been playing he might not get much of a chance.

In conference play during his first 2 seasons, Neal has shot 35% and 33% overall and 23% and 24% from 3. I am not sure he is deserving of any additional playing time at this point.

 

[BigTime]

I think Neal should get walk-on minutes during conference play unless we are in deep foul trouble.

I think Cam rebounds just as well and is a much better defender playing the 4...

 

[AdaSooner]

all this is true for Neal but my post was referring to Cousins

My bad. I should have done a better job of reading his post.

 

[jerry]

I think Neal should get walk-on minutes during conference play unless we are in deep foul trouble.

I think Cam rebounds just as well and is a much better defender playing the 4...

Absolutely agree. If Neal can't make a shot he shouldn't see the floor.

 

[usedtobe1]

Cousins is quick? I'm sorry and I really don't like to dog a player on a message board, but I've seen nothing from him that makes me think he will ever be a real good player. What am I missing that Lon sees? Avg shooter, Not real athletic, and doesn't create for others.

Cousins was 3-5 from the field against WVU for 6 points, 2 steals, and an assist in 17 minutes. Those were pretty solid numbers off the bench. They needed him in their comeback from 12 down in the second half to ultimately win by 10.

Hopefully, he is beginning to "get it".

 

[red recluse]

Cousins was 3-5 from the field against WVU for 6 points, 2 steals, and an assist in 17 minutes. Those were pretty solid numbers off the bench. They needed him in their comeback from 12 down in the second half to ultimately win by 10.

Hopefully, he is beginning to "get it".

absolutely. he definitely played well today. just wish he would have more confidence by being aggressive in getting to the rim. nice dime to osby, and a nice bucket on the bogus charge call when he did get into the lane today.

 

[Hollisp]

great game everyone getting a little better.

However, Neal is still really struggling. Im not sure why he is getting any minutes. Im good with the 9 playing. Not 10.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

He hasn't started the last two games, and his role has diminished significantly.

You'd know that if you'd watch the games, rather than just blindly give your opinion.

Bingo!

amen!!

LOL...:clap

Meeeyow!

 

[Navy2004]

He is the role by needed minutes player right now. But, he has to be ready to do those other things to get on the floor more.

 

[Tundrasooner]

Meeeyow!

Meeyow what?