Kruger blames Baylor meltdown on fatigue

[WaymanFan]

Agreed. And that is on LK. Either he didn't develop those guys enough earlier this season and in practice, or he recruited a bunch of guys that simply can't offer much help (mostly looking at Manyang here, but McNeace fits too).

Not the best job of roster construction when you know you have a very talented starting 5 full of seniors.

No point in rehashing the roster construction. Yes, it would have been better for the program if LK had an impact player in this past class. It would have been great if Billy brought in a PG for Wayman's last year...and if Kelvin added a low-post scoring threat for the Hollis / Quannas / Ebi senior year...so Kruger is in good company with not taking full advantage of having an impact player join a talented returning roster.

At this point, all we can hope for is that SOMEBODY comes off the bench each game and has a BIG game. I've long given up the notion one player will be that guy. Yesterday, both Walker and Buford gave us great minutes in the first half. If LK made a mistake, it's that he waited too long in the second half before anyone from the bench had much of an opportunity. I hope Christian James gets another chance to give us some quality minutes.

On a real positive note, Ryan Spangler looks so much better than he did at this time last year or in 2014. If he can do it for one more month, we have as good a chance as anyone out there. Right now, Kansas looks like the best team in America, and this is not one of the Jayhawks top 5-7 teams this century...everything is wide open!

 

[JBaker]

I think I saw a screen during the broadcast that showed that the OU starters led the NCAA or Big 12 in average minutes played per game.

It was that we led the AP top 10 in minutes played by our top 3 minute-getters.

 

[AdaSooner]

we need more people like you to post on the board. We used to until jackson sooner came alone and ran away a few.

smart,well thought out post.

OU

You would do well to quit worrying about posters like jackson-supersooner and give some serious thought to what it's like to be on the receiving end of your numerous posts calling people "clowns."

I have asked you nicely on two occasions in a private message to stop the insults, and you still haven't responded to my PM nor to my request. Continue to ignore me and you will not be around much longer!

 

[Soonerinkc]

It seems like Lon was saying that the team was emotionally drained, mainly because of the energy they expended early in the game due to the excitement of Senior Night. In no way do I read his comments to be a general statement about physical fatigue from having played too many minutes through the season.

I didn't play basketball at a high enough level to know from personal experience, but after hearing enough former college players discuss it, I think way too much is being made of this concern. If you noticed the stat shown during the game last night, our starters average only two more minutes per game than KU's. KU has won 10 games in a row and I have yet to hear anyone question whether they are tired. NBA teams play an average of nearly 4 games per week, it isn't uncommon for them to play 4 games in 5 nights, and they play 48-minute games. College teams play 2 games a week, never have to play back-to-back, and usually have three days off between games.

I have heard Lon say that he shortens practices as the season goes along, and I think this is something that just about every coach does. I would love to have better bench production because it would help if we are in foul trouble or if a starter is injured or not playing well, but I don't think fatigue is a major issue. Just my two cents because I see this topic come up a lot.

Wichita...wow, long time. I believe ive met u..tailgate...something. weren't you on the ORIGINAL board years ago..?

GREAT post...exactly right.

 

[okienole3]

The Big XII is just a grind. Especially in the second half of a true round robin like this. You're playing teams that are already familiar with you for the second time.

 

[AdaSooner]

It seems like Lon was saying that the team was emotionally drained, mainly because of the energy they expended early in the game due to the excitement of Senior Night. In no way do I read his comments to be a general statement about physical fatigue from having played too many minutes through the season.

I didn't play basketball at a high enough level to know from personal experience, but after hearing enough former college players discuss it, I think way too much is being made of this concern. If you noticed the stat shown during the game last night, our starters average only two more minutes per game than KU's. KU has won 10 games in a row and I have yet to hear anyone question whether they are tired. NBA teams play an average of nearly 4 games per week, it isn't uncommon for them to play 4 games in 5 nights, and they play 48-minute games. College teams play 2 games a week, never have to play back-to-back, and usually have three days off between games.

I have heard Lon say that he shortens practices as the season goes along, and I think this is something that just about every coach does. I would love to have better bench production because it would help if we are in foul trouble or if a starter is injured or not playing well, but I don't think fatigue is a major issue. Just my two cents because I see this topic come up a lot.

Excellent points, WichitaSooner! Now that I have read the article again, I agree that LK was referring to the players being emotionally drained rather than physically exhausted. The result is the same. Both lead to poor execution and decisions, turnovers, missed shots and coming in second on the 50-50 balls.

An article in this morning's Oklahoman focuses on the team losing their momentum in the second half of several games this season. It also says that Coach Kruger has tweaked practice sessions recently, cutting down on the time his team spends on the floor. Ryan Spangler insists the season isn't wearing on the players. That comes straight from the "horse's mouth," so I yield to someone who is in a position to know what is going on with the second half swoons we have seen of late.

“We save our legs during the week and get our minds right for the game,” Spangler said. “I felt good today, and I think my teammates felt good.”

http://newsok.com/sooners-need-to-right-the-ship-quickly/article/5482464

 

[WTSooner]

I don't think the reason for the poor second halves is fatigue. That might explain the poor play overall in recent weeks.

 

[AdaSooner]

I don't think the reason for the poor second halves is fatigue. That might explain the poor play overall in recent weeks.

I'm easily confused these days.

Can you elaborate on how fatigue is a factor in our poor play the last few weeks, but not in our second half collapse in several games?