Kruger expects players to battle for minutes next season

[OUHoops]

http://newsok.com/ou-mens-basketbal...attle-for-minutes-next-season/article/3656887

 

[WTSooner]

“He can play big, he can play small,” Kruger said. “For the most part, on the scout team, we tried to keep him on the perimeter to allow him to make progress. And he has. He's worked really hard.

For those of you that think he is destined to play the 3 because of where he practiced, as I suspected, here is your reason why. Not everything is always as it seems.

I still think Kruger would prefer to start him inside, and based on how Fitz played down the tail end of the season, IF we can find a suitable starter for the 3 position (Cam, one of the young guards, or maybe somebody we haven't signed yet), I think M'Baye starts for Fitz.

I'd also add that while having a bench to push the guys will help, it won't make them better, necessarily, and that is our biggest problem. Having Hield and Hornbeak on the bench won't make Cam a better jump shooter.

 

[schoonerdriver]

Don't you almost have to start either Hield or Hornbeak that way we aren't bringing 2 freshmen off the bench? I know I would rather bring 1 freshman and 1 upperclassmen off the bench.

 

[TheGimper]

It's a minor pet peeve, but I wish our local reporters would stop saying "three incoming freshmen." It's been known for a while now that Henry won't be here in the fall.

Anywho, solid article. I liked hearing some quotes on our two incoming freshmen.

 

[WTSooner]

Don't you almost have to start either Hield or Hornbeak that way we aren't bringing 2 freshmen off the bench? I know I would rather bring 1 freshman and 1 upperclassmen off the bench.

I don't think that matters. We need to start the best players, regardless of class. And even though I suggested it, I'd be shocked if either Hield or Hornbeak started a single game next year. They basically would have to beat out somebody that started this year AND M'Baye. Just not sure I see that happening.

 

[Sooner23]

I still think Kruger would prefer to start him inside, and based on how Fitz played down the tail end of the season, IF we can find a suitable starter for the 3 position (Cam, one of the young guards, or maybe somebody we haven't signed yet), I think M'Baye starts for Fitz.

Nailed it.

 

[dubyac]

Exactly who will be battling for minutes...? So far there are only 3 newcomers... 2 of which are freshman... We lose 1 contributing player to graduation.. so there's 2 openings for pt... Which current contributor will not see minutes next year?

 

[seniorsooner]

Exactly who will be battling for minutes...? So far there are only 3 newcomers... 2 of which are freshman... We lose 1 contributing player to graduation.. so there's 2 openings for pt... Which current contributor will not see minutes next year?

By the time it's all said and done I guarantee you there will be more than just 3 newcomers. One guy who is without a doubt going to see his minutes decrease is Blair.

 

[garyeb2]

Exactly who will be battling for minutes...? So far there are only 3 newcomers... 2 of which are freshman... We lose 1 contributing player to graduation.. so there's 2 openings for pt... Which current contributor will not see minutes next year?

Well, no one really knows how much game these two freshman guards will have at the Big 12 level. And Kruger could sign two more in the late period. I don't think anyone knows who that will be.

But, Pledger,Cam and Fitz will all lose minutes. To what degree is the only variable. And mayby even Grooms if a newcomer proves to be a capable backup point.

 

[scrybe]

By the time it's all said and done I guarantee you there will be more than just 3 newcomers. One guy who is without a doubt going to see his minutes decrease is Blair.

Sadly, I think you're probably right, ss. I had high hopes for Blair before the season started; thought the kid would improve between his sophomore and junior seasons. But other than improving on his lobs to Clark, I'm afraid Blair actually regressed a little.

 

[WTSooner]

Blair is a strange situation. I mean, I never expected him to be a star, but I certainly expected quite a bit more from him then what he showed. I wonder is the regression is due to reduced minutes? Some players need significant minutes to get going, and Blair rarely got that (for good reason). Just can't help but think the reduced minutes and role might have affected him negatively.

 

[seniorsooner]

Sadly, I think you're probably right, ss. I had high hopes for Blair before the season started; thought the kid would improve between his sophomore and junior seasons. But other than improving on his lobs to Clark, I'm afraid Blair actually regressed a little.

Blair played 15 minutes per game this year. In those 15 minutes he shot 31% from the field and 27% from 3. Translation: he needs to be playing about 5 mpg, if that.

 

[DenverSooner]

I agree and I think he could do a solid job palying 5-8 minutes a game. All OU needs from him is a 3-4 rest for Grooms from the 12 to 8 minute make of each half. Blair will also be available if Grooms has early foul trouble. I think that is a role he can handle. I recognize he is not a star in the Big XII but he has a lot of experience and should be able to handle that role. I also want to be clear, Blair is a good basketball player and that doesn't change simply because he is a not a star in the Big XII. He would eat up his critics in a game he just isn't a kid that is going to be an all conference or even starter caliber in the Big XII.

 

[garyeb2]

Good basketball player is a relative term. Relative to me, Blair is a great basketball player. Relative to players in the Big 12, he is a terrible basketball player. Blair doesn't help the team in any way shape or form. He doesn't help 5 min. a game or 20 min. a game. He hurts the team. He is one of the reason they have been so bad the last 2 yrs. Hornbeak is the likely back up point next season. Thank goodness.

 

[DenverSooner]

I think you are too hard on Blair. Relatie to Chris Walker, Oleg Retzov and Kyle Hardrick he isn't terrible. I suspect OSU gans, Missouri fans and most other fans could list a handful of players similar to the guys I listed. I just don't get the point of needing to be so critical of a 21 year old guy that works hards and stays out of trouble.

 

[seniorsooner]

I think you are too hard on Blair. Relatie to Chris Walker, Oleg Retzov and Kyle Hardrick he isn't terrible. I suspect OSU gans, Missouri fans and most other fans could list a handful of players similar to the guys I listed. I just don't get the point of needing to be so critical of a 21 year old guy that works hards and stays out of trouble.

So, relative to 3 of the worst scholarship players OU has had in the last 15 years he isn't terrible? That's a ringing endorsement.

I'm not trying to personally insult him, but we're not running a charity here. The guy just isn't a Big 12 caliber player. If he plays 15 minutes per game again next year I'm not sure how much better we're going to be.

 

[Stikboy]

Good basketball player is a relative term. Relative to me, Blair is a great basketball player. Relative to players in the Big 12, he is a terrible basketball player. Blair doesn't help the team in any way shape or form. He doesn't help 5 min. a game or 20 min. a game. He hurts the team. He is one of the reason they have been so bad the last 2 yrs. Hornbeak is the likely back up point next season. Thank goodness.

This.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Blair is a nice kid and he works hard, but like ss says, this isn't a charity. He had to play this year because we have little depth, but if he plays much next year (more than 5 - 8 minutes per game) we are in deep trouble.

 

[garyeb2]

I think you are too hard on Blair. Relatie to Chris Walker, Oleg Retzov and Kyle Hardrick he isn't terrible. I suspect OSU gans, Missouri fans and most other fans could list a handful of players similar to the guys I listed. I just don't get the point of needing to be so critical of a 21 year old guy that works hards and stays out of trouble.

I like Blair. He is polite, curteous, and a hard worker in practice. He seemed to accept his diminished role and kept on grinding. But, a liability. Not an asset when it come to winning Big 12 basketball games.

 

[Escape Goat]

So, relative to 3 of the worst scholarship players OU has had in the last 15 years he isn't terrible? That's a ringing endorsement.

I'm not trying to personally insult him, but we're not running a charity here. The guy just isn't a Big 12 caliber player. If he plays 15 minutes per game again next year I'm not sure how much better we're going to be.

Eggzactly.

Bottom line he is not good enough. Nothing against his character or his work ethic, but he just isn't good enough. And to read between the lines of Coach the last few days (competing for minutes, etc.), I believe he is speaking directly to CB. If he plays more than 10 min a game next year, it will be another painful season.