Kruger ready to rebuild starting in Europe

[OUHoops]

http://oklahoma.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1503389

 

[WTSooner]

The Sooners return just one starter, sophomore guard Je'lon Hornbeak, from last season's NCAA tournament team.

That isn't a completely accurate statement.

Looks like LK will be content to hang on to that last scholarship, giving us 3 for 2014, with Hammond already using one of those, so really, two additional scholarships.

 

[DenverSooner]

"I would imagine that if you could've said two years ago that we would've played in the NCAA tournament, we've got the group coming back that we have coming back, we probably would've taken that and been pretty excited about it," Kruger said.

I hope Kruger really means this. I am worried about next season. OU basketball needs another solid season. A good year this year should mean an even better year in 2014/15.

 

[WTSooner]

I don't think narrowly missing the Dance next year means anything bad for the program, necessarily. I've pointed to next season as the last possible "road block" season that won't be LK's fault. Just the way the roster worked out. I think we'll be competitive, and I see us as a bubble team. The down Big 12 might help us sneak out an extra win or two. But as long as we're still in the NCAA Tourney hunt as late as the last 2-3 regular season games, I'll likely be content next year.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

"I would imagine that if you could've said two years ago that we would've played in the NCAA tournament, we've got the group coming back that we have coming back, we probably would've taken that and been pretty excited about it," Kruger said.

Two years ago ... Coach Kruger arrived April 1, 2011.

Given the large number of new players (7) added to the active roster, the timing of this preseason trip could not have been better.

I think we will see in 2013-14 just how good (or not) the coaching staff really is. Youthful guards with limited experience. Seven newcomers including the redshirts.

It is completely reasonable for fans to be concerned about next season. The unknowns are many. The three freshmen guards from last season must show significant improvement as sophomores for 2013-14 to be a "solid season."

To me, a return to the NCAA tournament in 2014 will be a solid season, and a foretaste of a very bright future.

 

[nikebasketball]

That isn't a completely accurate statement.

Looks like LK will be content to hang on to that last scholarship, giving us 3 for 2014, with Hammond already using one of those, so really, two additional scholarships.

your right Buddy came off bench 10 then started 13 got hurt and came off bench last 4 so he started 13 of 27. was a top 3 player all year [I think]
Cousins started first 10 then another 4 later in the year cause he started playing great so he was 14 of 32
so thats 2 starters from last year with some experience and add Clark who started in 2011 and 2012 his fres soph years...

 

[colston15]

I'm not at all convinced we won't still add a transfer. There are guys leaving places each day and most haven't even started taking visits.

 

[CoachTalk]

I'm not at all convinced we won't still add a transfer. There are guys leaving places each day and most haven't even started taking visits.

If we do it will have to be a guy that comes in and plays next year IMO.

 

[WTSooner]

If we do it will have to be a guy that comes in and plays next year IMO.

And those guys, at least the ones worth much, are pretty much spoken for.

 

[SoonerinNC]

I keep getting the impression that, aside from Osby, he didn't have a very high regard for the other players graduating from the program this year. I don't mean personally but I feel that he believed that Fitz, Pledger and Grooms were limited to the point that they would have trouble producing against the better teams.

That could have been one of the reasons for all of the freshman exposure. That and the fact that we were going to be thin in experience for the 13-14 season.

The next year is one of the most unclear for me in a number of seasons. So many questions. Will we get a big improvement from Hield, Cousins and Hornbeak? Will Spangler and Bennett and the new JUCO big men contribute? Will Clark find himself? Will Tyler Neal finally start hitting the basket. Most important will Woodard and Booker be able to contribute meaningfully in their freshmen seasons. Both have skills that we need on the court. The huge question is whether they are capable of Division I play in their freshman seasons.

If most of those questions turn out plusses we are back into the dance. If most are minuses we are a bubble team at best.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I see no real reason to be anything other than optimistic at this point.