Issiah Cousins Article

[Northbase]

A bullet in his shoulder leaves Isaiah Cousins with a reminder of the streets back home

 

[ksSooner13]

In other Isaiah Cousins news today...from Fran Fraschilla

A "little birdie" at OU tells me that Isaiah Cousins may be team's most improved player. And he's coming off productive sophomore year.

 

[usedtobe1]

In other Isaiah Cousins news today...from Fran Fraschilla

A "little birdie" at OU tells me that Isaiah Cousins may be team's most improved player. And he's coming off productive sophomore year.

I love hearing inside comments...... I can't believe after the shooting that Isaiah continued to improve his game over the summer.

 

[pnkranger]

If that is the case, he might be the best player on the team THIS year. I thought he and Buddy were equal in everything but shot attempts last year.

 

[StatGeek]

Hope that birdie (James) is right

 

[steverocks35]

I have a feeling that Cousins might be unstoppable this year. His mid-range game last year was at another level.

 

[pnkranger]

I have a feeling that Cousins might be unstoppable this year. His mid-range game last year was at another level.

To me, he's our go to when we need someone to create a shot in a close ball game because of his ability to find that mid-range shot with a defender on him.

 

[KBaden145]

To me, he's our go to when we need someone to create a shot in a close ball game because of his ability to find that mid-range shot with a defender on him.

His ability to do that reminds me of Westbrook.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AdaSooner]

If Isaiah is improved and Buddy is ready for the NBA, this is going to be an exciting season for Sooner fans! Is it November yet?

 

[pnkranger]

I agree Ada, but a few key questions are the difference for me between a top 10 team and a top 25 team.

* Thomas's status
* depth at guard - can walker hang? Will buford loss hurt us?
* can spangler score in the half court?
* can lattin or Bennett become a dynamic backup?

 

[KBaden145]

I agree Ada, but a few key questions are the difference for me between a top 10 team and a top 25 team.



* Thomas's status

* depth at guard - can walker hang? Will buford loss hurt us?

* can spangler score in the half court?

* can lattin or Bennett become a dynamic backup?

The only yet-to-be-answered question from what I've seen in practice is the first one concerning Thomas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mac]

I really like Cousins, he brings a lot of energy and effort to the court, to unteachable things, he defense is pretty good to.

 

[garyeb2]

I agree Ada, but a few key questions are the difference for me between a top 10 team and a top 25 team.

* Thomas's status
* depth at guard - can walker hang? Will buford loss hurt us?
* can spangler score in the half court?
* can lattin or Bennett become a dynamic backup?

From my recent observations, I would predict that Walker, while being no threat to Woodard, will prove out to be an upgrade over Hornbeak. Booker seems to be sitting on the cusp of an outstanding season.

Bennett looks to have the green light to shoot those 8' to 10' jumpers whenever he wants. I have always liked Bennett and my bet would be that he will be a solid contributor in whatever role Kruger defines for him.

Lattin is doing good work around the basket and hit three 3's during some scrimmage yesterday. However, if he were a starter and logging heavy minutes as a freshman, the expectations for the season might not be so lofty. He is a good one, but, needs to get a little stronger to be a top flight post player in the Big 12. If Thomas plays and Lattin is getting 12/14 minutes a game, along with Spangler and Bennett, our front court business will be in pretty good shape.

I kind of expect Mankin to pick up some spot minutes on the wing. He has come a long ways. He isn't a difference maker. But, won't get us beat when he is in there. If those minutes do materialize, they would quickly evaporate next season when Buford becomes eligible. Cole is another that has made good progress. His name will probably show up in the box score a little more frequently.

A starting 5 of Woodard, Cousins, Buddy, Spangler and Thomas, along with the quality bench help, should be able to compete with about anyone.

Of course, that is just my opinion. I could be wrong.

 

[CoachTalk]

Gary... I think I speak for ALL (excluding boca) Glad to have you back from Vacation!

 

[AdaSooner]

I agree Ada, but a few key questions are the difference for me between a top 10 team and a top 25 team.

* Thomas's status
* depth at guard - can walker hang? Will buford loss hurt us?
* can spangler score in the half court?
* can lattin or Bennett become a dynamic backup?

All valid questions, pnkranger. But if Thomas wins his appeal, the others will pale in comparison.

I'm not at all concerned about Bennett. I have said more than once that he could be a key to our success this season. Juco transfers almost always improve considerably from their junior to their senior seasons.

Spangler raved about how much better D. J. was in an interview a couple of weeks ago. Gary said this in the post he made on this thread: "Bennett looks to have the green light to shoot those 8' to 10' jumpers whenever he wants. I have always liked Bennett and my bet would be that he will be a solid contributor in whatever role Kruger defines for him."

What I have said about D. J. in the past is meaningless. That was based on what I saw in limited playing time last year. But, when guys like Spangler and Gary, who have seen him in practice a number of times in the last few weeks have good things to say, I listen.

Lattin may be the wild card in our front court. I have always said that he has the tools to be a star someday. The question is, will he be ready to contribute in a meaningful way as a freshman? The jury is still out on that one. I can't see Lattin starting over Bennett when Kruger wants to go with a bigger lineup. If he's that good, though, we won't have to worry too much about our front court this season.

If Thomas wins his appeal, all bets are off. He'll start alongside Spangler.

 

[DenverSooner]

If Isaiah is improved and Buddy is ready for the NBA, this is going to be an exciting season for Sooner fans! Is it November yet?

You can almost guaranty that Woodard will be improved. Booker did a very good job as a freshman. I expect more confidence, better defense and better shot selection from Booker. OU should have an excellent backcourt.

Kruger said that Spangler has improved his mid range shot over the summer. If OU can get Thomas this is going to be a very good basketball team.

 

[hoopsaustin]

So excited for this team

 

[WTSooner]

I'd put our three starting guards up against just about anybody in the country. Woodard as a soph, and Cousins/Hield as juniors, have a nice combination of experience and talent. I'm also expecting a really nice season out of Booker, and I think Walker will be a nice backup pg. Very few questions about our guards.

 

[DenverSooner]

I agree Ada, but a few key questions are the difference for me between a top 10 team and a top 25 team.

* Thomas's status
* depth at guard - can walker hang? Will buford loss hurt us?
* can spangler score in the half court?
* can lattin or Bennett become a dynamic backup?

If Walker can do what Grooms did as a Junior he will be a perfectly acceptable backup pg. All he needs to do is defend and not turn the ball over for 7 minutes a game. Woodard can do the rest. If Walker can produce points and run the offense at a respectable level, he can play 12 minutes a game. That extra five minutes of rest for Woodard will make a big difference in my opinion.

People should also remember, Cousins played a lot of pg as a freshman. If he is in the game with Walker it should be more difficult to force turn overs. OU might need to slow down a little bit but that is a small price to pay to retain possession and get a good shot.

 

[DenverSooner]

From my recent observations, I would predict that Walker, while being no threat to Woodard, will prove out to be an upgrade over Hornbeak. Booker seems to be sitting on the cusp of an outstanding season.

Bennett looks to have the green light to shoot those 8' to 10' jumpers whenever he wants. I have always liked Bennett and my bet would be that he will be a solid contributor in whatever role Kruger defines for him.

Lattin is doing good work around the basket and hit three 3's during some scrimmage yesterday. However, if he were a starter and logging heavy minutes as a freshman, the expectations for the season might not be so lofty. He is a good one, but, needs to get a little stronger to be a top flight post player in the Big 12. If Thomas plays and Lattin is getting 12/14 minutes a game, along with Spangler and Bennett, our front court business will be in pretty good shape.

I kind of expect Mankin to pick up some spot minutes on the wing. He has come a long ways. He isn't a difference maker. But, won't get us beat when he is in there. If those minutes do materialize, they would quickly evaporate next season when Buford becomes eligible. Cole is another that has made good progress. His name will probably show up in the box score a little more frequently.

A starting 5 of Woodard, Cousins, Buddy, Spangler and Thomas, along with the quality bench help, should be able to compete with about anyone.

Of course, that is just my opinion. I could be wrong.

This is very encouraging. In the past you have proven to understand the game and provided very reasonable opinions.

If you are correct about Walker and Booker, OU's backcourt is going to be fantastic.

I am also excited to hear about Lattin and Bennett. They likely won't score like Cam Clark but if they can combine for 12 a game and be stinger on defense and the boards, they might be an upgrade over Clark or at least as effective.