Jeff Capel didn't make the same mistake Mike Anderson did

[Sawyer]

I'd be fine granting him (or any coach) an exception for the first year. The only times I really put that much weight in a coach's first year is if the team makes significant strides or is completely awful... middle of the road really means nothing.

 

[Seymore Cox]

Jeff Capel didn't make the same mistake Mike Anderson did, which would be not signing or offering the Gatorade POTY in your home state.

Mike Anderson let a 3-star guard go, who was the Gatorade POTY in Missouri, with offers from Colorado, Drake, Santa Clara, Missouri State, Wichita State, and late interest and offer from K-State.

He didnt even get an offer from Missouri.

That guy is Alec Burks who just won Big 12 freshman of the year at Colorado and is on 2011 NBA mock drafts in the lottery. He scored in double figures every game and averaged 17 on the season. Again, 3-star with mostly mid-major offers.

Great job, Coach Capel. At the very least Neal will be a solid contributor and a guy who helps the team get better and win for 4 years.

The last three years OU has signed the bst player in Texas. I don't know what bearing signing the best player in a state has on a good program. Oklahoma has had alot of talent in this state over the last few years. Last year OU couldn't even get in the picture with the Gatorade POY and barely got in the picture with Daniel Orton. The year before, OU accurately chose Willie Warren over Rotnei Clarke. If they don't do that, they don't make an elite eight run. In Mizzou's case, Colorado got in on Burks early and that was that. If Burks were a uncommitted senior, he would have been one of the highest recruits and probably a top 50 rivals guy.