Kruger on M'Baye

[OUHoops]

From Sooner Nation:

http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/oklahoma/post?id=6954

 

[Capel's Mustache]

I have read lots of stuff about his physical ability, this is the first I read about his leadership. Very good to hear. I can't wait to see the guy in action.

 

[AdaSooner]

Osby's impact on this year's team was evident. It didn't start out that way. But by the last ten to fifteen games of the season, I doubt if many on this board will disagree that he was the best player on the team.

That's the kind of impact I believe M'Baye will have on next year's team. His 6' 9" long, athletic presence on the floor will be huge for what has been an undersized OU team the last couple of years. If his skills match the reports he has received from posters who have seen him play in person, his addition to the team could give us a chance to compete at a much higher level than any team since Blake was at OU.

My somewhat bold prediction is factoring in the play of newbies like Hornbeak, Hield and Cousins, as well as the improvement I think we'll see from guys like Grooms, Pledger, Clark and Neal. Our guards simply MUST to do a better job of scoring from the perimeter and getting the ball in the right hands at the right time. If our offense stalls out, as it did at times last season, there is no way our front court players can reach their full potential.

 

[DenverSooner]

I think Osby started really big. He posted some double doubles to start the season. He was averaging well over 10 points a game and about 8 boards a game six games into the season. His scoring may have gone up a bit but he was strong on the boards immediately and showed up in the scoring column right from the start.

I think Osby will be a double double guy against most of the non-confernece teams next season.

I hope M'Bay has a similar impact. I want to see M'Baye, Osby and Fitzgerald all averaging above 10 a game and for a sub 10 point game to be an anomaly.

 

[j2d2]

I would expect the newbies to be helpful but not decisive. M'Baye I expect to be decisive. By "decisive" I mean that he will score more at his position than we got last year, his leadership will push the whole team, his minutes will come from Fitzgerald because of Fits's inability to defend or rebound and he will score as much as Fitz which and he will add to our defense and rebounding which will help most of all.

 

[25mob]

Osby would have had an even better year if he didn't have the foot injury.

 

[Capel's Mustache]

Osby would have had an even better year if he didn't have the foot injury.

foot injury?

 

[scrybe]

foot injury?

Yes, Osby had a foot injury that plagued him for about the final one-third of the season. According to some reports, he had to wear a boot – like those designed for people with severe ankle sprains – in the days prior to OU games.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Yes, Osby had a foot injury that plagued him for about the final one-third of the season. According to some reports, he had to wear a boot – like those designed for people with severe ankle sprains – in the days prior to OU games.

Wow...I was never aware of the foot injury. Very interesting info.

Kruger's comments sound like Osby had to force himself to be the leader. From my perspective, it appeared he was very effective at leading.