Kruger's biggest individual job with the returning guys

[BigTime]

What do you think will be the most important if the Sooners are going to sniff the postseason next year:

- Fitzgerald improving on rebounding
- CJ Washington being a factor defensively and on the glass
- Blair improving as a defender
- Cam being more assertive on the offensive end
- Pledger improving as a defender
- Newell learning how to play within the flow of the offense

or anything else that I missed...

I think the single most important thing on the above list is Fitz becoming more of a factor on the boards (particularly the defensive glass).

What say you?

 

[coolm]

1 - 5 = rebounding

 

[Mr.B!!!]

IMHO, Cam being more assertive on the offensive end. We are really going to need point production from our wings to be competitive. I'd put yours as a close second, and I'm hopeful that a below the rim post like Fitzgerald can be tought position.

 

[BigTime]

IMHO, Cam being more assertive on the offensive end. We are really going to need point production from our wings to be competitive. I'd put yours as a close second, and I'm hopeful that a below the rim post like Fitzgerald can be tought position.

Its going to be tough with Fitz because he is going to have to learn to play hard without worrying as much about fouling as he had to last year. I do think that having Osby at the 4 will hopefully force Andrew to play closer to the basket on the offensive end and set him up for some more offensive rebounds.

Cam being more assertive on offense is up there in my book. He needs to be a dependable scorer next season and not an every now and then type of offensive guy. I would love to see him get to the line more.

 

[CoachTalk]

I think our guys scoring more than the other guys will work for me! Every player in America needs to improve on something...

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Its going to be tough with Fitz because he is going to have to learn to play hard without worrying as much about fouling as he had to last year. I do think that having Osby at the 4 will hopefully force Andrew to play closer to the basket on the offensive end and set him up for some more offensive rebounds.

Cam being more assertive on offense is up there in my book. He needs to be a dependable scorer next season and not an every now and then type of offensive guy. I would love to see him get to the line more.

Then he is going to have to get to the rim more; what I worry about with him is falling into what I call the "Tony Trap" and that is being athletic enough to get to the rim, but settling into being a three-point shooter. Maybe that is what Tony was coached to do, but it was a mistake.

I like Fitzgerald overall, I just think that he has physical limitations that impede his ability to be a good rebounder [no verticle] and defender [slow feet]. Both can be improved upon though through work and coaching. Other than Osby [who I just want to see go "live"], I'm most interested to see Fitzgerald next season.

 

[seniorsooner]

What do you think will be the most important if the Sooners are going to sniff the postseason next year:

- Fitzgerald improving on rebounding
- CJ Washington being a factor defensively and on the glass
- Blair improving as a defender
- Cam being more assertive on the offensive end
- Pledger improving as a defender
- Newell learning how to play

or anything else that I missed...

I think the single most important thing on the above list is Fitz becoming more of a factor on the boards (particularly the defensive glass).

What say you?

:OUbball-logo:

 

[SoonerDAZE]

What say you?

Osby will be the biggest difference.

 

[sdcloud9]

Defense and Rebounding

 

[WTSooner]

Easy. Team defense. That will help the rebounding directly, along with simply starting a bigger team.

We won't be a very good offensive team next year, I don't think. That is why the D must improve.

 

[OUBig12Champs]

The biggest thing Coach Krug needs to do is allow these kids to be themselves and coach them up. This team was so young and unexperienced last year that they can not help but get better! The leader (Cade - loved his hustle and character) was simply a "role player". There was and is better talent on the team than Cade! The addition of Osby will help, no doubt, but again last years experience will go a long way! Coach Krug will coach em' up and the defense will come too! I am by no means saying that this team will be a 9 seed or even make the NCAA's, but mark my words the experience from last year will make this team alot better!

Give em' hell CoolM!

 

[cosmic_sooner]

i really think we'll see some very significant growth out of Cam this year. he's obviously the most skilled guy on campus and LK will push to get every drop out of him.

this is the biggest factor imo, b/c he has the skill set and potential. if we're going to be in the top half of the Big 12, he needs to be good.

i think it's safe to say the ebb-and-flow of his production in 2010 was due to a myriad of issues; simply being a freshman, a disorganized team, coaching style, identity and program. a mess of a program typically isnt very conducive for a freshman player learning and earning his chops.

 

[Sooner79]

I'm going to go with improvement at point guard. More assists and fewer turnovers.

 

[kbsooner]

The concept of switching on defense after a man has been beat would be a great place to start.

 

[WTSooner]

i really think we'll see some very significant growth out of Cam this year. he's obviously the most skilled guy on campus and LK will push to get every drop out of him.

I disagree. I don't think Cam is all that skilled. I mean, compared to us he is, but compared to other top 30 recruits, I don't get that feeling. What Cam is, is VERY athletic. I'm hoping LK can get Cam's skill set to catch up to his athleticism.

 

[soonerp]

I think our upgraded size and experience with help with defense and rebouding. I would like to see Pledger be more consistent and take on a bigger role. In almost all of our wins and games that we were competitive in last year Pledger had a solid to great game. He is obviously a guy that is capable of scoring but way to inconsistent. He would go for 20 then turn around the next game and score 4. If he can get the light to come on and be a factor every night we are a much better team. Not saying he is going to have to put up 25 points a game but a solid 10-12 would be nice and teams have to honor the fact that if he's on he can hit from anywhere on the floor.

 

[OKURanger]

I know the question is about individual players, but I'm with the improve team defense crowd. Every one of OU's returning players should be coached up on defense.

I think the brief look at a Kruger practice offers some idea of the coach's offensive mindset: let the players play. I think that Blair/Grooms will give OU better PG than last season and that alone will increase offensive effectiveness. A good D will increase fast breaks also.

Returning Individuals?
Cam - become more aggressive on offense.
Pledger - know when he's on and when he's off--I don't think he'll change his streakiness. When he's off, he needs to figure out ways to get other players easier baskets.
Fitz - jump rope or whatever it takes to get more foot speed.
Blair - understand his defensive responsibilities better and jump some rope with Fitz.
CJ - completely understand what Kruger wants and become the hustle/glue player that any really good team seems to have.
Newell - slow down, learn to play within the team, and become a student of the game.

 

[scrybe]

- Newell learning how to play

That's funny, seniorsooner. But it's oh, so true. I know it sounds cliche, but I can't wait to see how good this kid can become if he will learn to slow down a little and let the game come to him.

 

[Dr Sleep]

Every player needs to improve fundamentals then learn the system. I sound like a coach.