Lattin, Buford and McNeace

[BigTime]

Ryan Spangler wants you to hurry up and get here!

 

[WTSooner]

That is probably the biggest concern (outside of overall defense) that this team has. When Spangler gets tired, gets hurt, or has foul trouble, are we going to get enough out of Bennett? And God forbid there is a long stretch of minutes that we have to play with neither of them.

 

[mardaddy51]

Buford will play more on the outside than inside anyways.

 

[38red]

Buford will play more on the outside than inside anyways.

I doubt it

 

[garyeb2]

I doubt it

Well, does Cam play more on the inside or outside? Buford will be used exactly like Cam.

 

[BigTime]

Stretch 4

 

[pnkranger]

Next two years are bright.

 

[CoachTalk]

I doubt it

Same argument df day.... How many "4's" play INSIDE? Only true hi-low teams 4's play inside...

 

[DenverSooner]

That darn M'Baye!

 

[mardaddy51]

Well, I think Buford is a wing player. Cam is a stretch 4 because that is where this year's team needs him. Buford won't be needed in that capacity. IMO

 

[garyeb2]

Well, I think Buford is a wing player. Cam is a stretch 4 because that is where this year's team needs him. Buford won't be needed in that capacity. IMO

With the available players next year, who do you think will start and how will they line up?

 

[mardaddy51]

I'm no expert, but I will give it a try:

PG - Woodard
G - Heild
G - Buford/Cousins
F - Lattin/McNeace/Bennett
F - Spangler

Bench:
Hornbeak
Booker
Cousins/Buford
Lattin/McNeace(one will probably redshirt)
Bennett
Cole

 

[CoachTalk]

I assume McNease RS. Hard seeing cousins on the bench. But only 5 starters... That's a good problem.

 

[WTSooner]

I'm no expert, but I will give it a try:

PG - Woodard
G - Heild
G - Buford/Cousins
F - Lattin/McNeace/Bennett
F - Spangler

Bench:
Hornbeak
Booker
Cousins/Buford
Lattin/McNeace(one will probably redshirt)
Bennett
Cole

Zero chance of that, IMO.

There is no way LK is going to start two brand new players next year, when he returns 4 starters, and others that have been in the program. Also no chance we go that "big" with our starting lineup. I like the upside of Lattin and McNeace, but those guys aren't going to show up on campus ready to start, or maybe not even ready for major minutes.

I think there is little to no doubt that Woodard, Hield, and Spangler start next year. If Cousins keeps his job all year, be hard to not see him starting next year as well, or Hornbeak in his spot if we sign a true pg to back up Woodard. I think LK likes Cousins' size (and therefore defense) over Hornbeak though. I don't think their heights are very different, but Cousins is much longer, or so it appears to me.

I'd have to pencil Buford (far and away the most talented of the newcomers next year) in as the starting four, in much the same mold as Cam.

Woodard/Hornbeak
Cousins/Booker
Hield
Buford
Spangler/Bennett/McNeace/Lattin

Gotta think LK would like to add another guard. Either a backup pg that allows Hornbeak to slide over to the SG/OG spot, or a 2/3 guy. Given that we're in on Trier and Milton (2/3's) in 2015, I'm guessing LK would love to get him a backup pg to round out the 2014 class.

We might be forced to go "big" when we sub next year IF we don't sign another guard, given the way the bench is constructed, but I really don't think we start a big lineup next year. The only thing that makes me not 100% sure on that, is that at this point, there aren't many other options, as Buford is really the only small 4 we have for next year. Spangler could probably slide over there and play next to a guy like McNeace/Lattin, but Spangler is not in the same mold as Cam/M'Baye. And if we're a pressing, running team, having a really athletic 4 is almost a necessity. That may be another reason LK and staff keep going after Cunningham (I believe he projects as a 3 or small 4?). I don't think Hield is big enough to play the stretch 4 spot on D.

 

[garyeb2]

Zero chance of that, IMO.

There is no way LK is going to start two brand new players next year, when he returns 4 starters, and others that have been in the program. Also no chance we go that "big" with our starting lineup. I like the upside of Lattin and McNeace, but those guys aren't going to show up on campus ready to start, or maybe not even ready for major minutes.

I think there is little to no doubt that Woodard, Hield, and Spangler start next year. If Cousins keeps his job all year, be hard to not see him starting next year as well, or Hornbeak in his spot if we sign a true pg to back up Woodard. I think LK likes Cousins' size (and therefore defense) over Hornbeak though. I don't think their heights are very different, but Cousins is much longer, or so it appears to me.

I'd have to pencil Buford (far and away the most talented of the newcomers next year) in as the starting four, in much the same mold as Cam.

Woodard/Hornbeak
Cousins/Booker
Hield
Buford
Spangler/Bennett/McNeace/Lattin

Gotta think LK would like to add another guard. Either a backup pg that allows Hornbeak to slide over to the SG/OG spot, or a 2/3 guy. Given that we're in on Trier and Milton (2/3's) in 2015, I'm guessing LK would love to get him a backup pg to round out the 2014 class.

We might be forced to go "big" when we sub next year IF we don't sign another guard, given the way the bench is constructed, but I really don't think we start a big lineup next year. The only thing that makes me not 100% sure on that, is that at this point, there aren't many other options, as Buford is really the only small 4 we have for next year. Spangler could probably slide over there and play next to a guy like McNeace/Lattin, but Spangler is not in the same mold as Cam/M'Baye. And if we're a pressing, running team, having a really athletic 4 is almost a necessity. That may be another reason LK and staff keep going after Cunningham (I believe he projects as a 3 or small 4?). I don't think Hield is big enough to play the stretch 4 spot on D.

I think that you are right about the staff still wanting Cunningham. I ask one of the coaches what position they thought he played. The answer was 2-3-4. The answer for Buford was 3-4.

 

[WTSooner]

I think that you are right about the staff still wanting Cunningham. I ask one of the coaches what position they thought he played. The answer was 2-3-4. The answer for Buford was 3-4.

Looking at the roster, that makes a lot of sense. I'm learning that LK REALLY likes having a guy like Cam (or M'Baye) at the 4. We really will only have Buford that fits that description next year. What happens if he isn't ready? Or when he goes to the bench? Hopefully LK can convince Cunningham there are enough minutes for him, even with Buford here. Sounds like he'd be a good get, and in line with what LK is looking for.

 

[scrybe]

Well, that begs the question: "Where do we stand in the recruitment of Cunningham?" (Sorry if that answer has already been posted. If it has, I obviously missed it).

 

[garyeb2]

Well, that begs the question: "Where do we stand in the recruitment of Cunningham?" (Sorry if that answer has already been posted. If it has, I obviously missed it).

He postponed his decision until the late signing period. I caught a comment from one of the coaches that made me think that they were a bit frustrated with his inability to decide.

 

[CoachTalk]

Lattin is ahead of McNeace skill wise. All 3 are super athletic

 

[DenverSooner]

He postponed his decision until the late signing period. I caught a comment from one of the coaches that made me think that they were a bit frustrated with his inability to decide.

I suspect you misunderstood. I am confident none of the OU coaches would publicly speak about a recruit.