Look no further than Minnesota....

[Maverick008]

To what HOPEFULLY OU can/will do from this season to next season. Two years ago, Minnesota went 18-15 and looked to be ready to make a name for itself last season. Then the season happened and they finished 8-23 and everyone wanted Richard Pitino fired. This year they just finished 23-8 are a #5 seed in the tourney and Pitino was named Big 10 coach of the year. OU should have everything needed at this point on the current roster (some changes could happen per reports from others) with the recruiting class coming in to make the same type of leap that Minnesota has (obviously the schedule will determine some of it as well). Hopefully the guys put in the work this summer, come in with a renewed focus next fall and get it done!

 

[stormspencer]

To what HOPEFULLY OU can/will do from this season to next season. Two years ago, Minnesota went 18-15 and looked to be ready to make a name for itself last season. Then the season happened and they finished 8-23 and everyone wanted Richard Pitino fired. This year they just finished 23-8 are a #5 seed in the tourney and Pitino was named Big 10 coach of the year. OU should have everything needed at this point on the current roster (some changes could happen per reports from others) with the recruiting class coming in to make the same type of leap that Minnesota has (obviously the schedule will determine some of it as well). Hopefully the guys put in the work this summer, come in with a renewed focus next fall and get it done!

I hope you're right. And it would also help us if the Big 12 is as down next year as the Big 10 was this year.

 

[Maverick008]

I hope you're right. And it would also help us if the Big 12 is as down next year as the Big 10 was this year.

Yeah that remains to be seen as well. At this point we at least know the following:

Baylor- Losing Wainright but unless others leave early they should be pretty stacked again

ISU- Replacing basically their entire team....Morris, Burton, Long and Thomas are all gone......good luck to them

KU- Replacing Mason and Lucas (Obviously will have a lot of talent as usual but replacing Mason's leadership/ability to take over a game will still be hard to replace even if Graham returns

KSU- Losing Iwundu and Johnson will be the two biggest blows. Not a deep team this year and those two are tough to replace without current depth

OSU- Replacing Forte will be the biggest challenge to date. But IF Evans leaves that will leave an obvious HUGE hole to replace at PG.

TCU- Losing Kenrich Williams is their biggest blow but with most of rest of contributors coming back they could be trending upwards

Texas- Need to replace Cleare down low (and most likely Allen) and Mack won't be back. The rest of the team was extremely young and should develop but if they don't take a step forward they could be looking at another losing season. But they do have a good/great recruiting class on paper coming in.

Texas Tech- Ross is the biggest loss but as someone pointed out in another thread they seem to fail to meet expectations as they rise. On paper it might be the best TT team in a while

West Virginia- WVU takes a hit in the depth department with 5+ Sr's leaving but Huggins seems to reload that department quickly so we'll see.

Overall I think the teams we've been used to seeing the last few years (ISU/WVU) will have different looks and learning on the go in the beginning. If we (OU fans) learned anything from this season, is that it only takes one year (and losing key players) to flip your team and the results upside down. So hopefully with OU having most of (pretty much all of it after Woodard went down) the production returning they will not only take a little step but a huge step forward and get back towards the top half of the league.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Yeah that remains to be seen as well. At this point we at least know the following:

Baylor- Losing Wainright but unless others leave early they should be pretty stacked again

ISU- Replacing basically their entire team....Morris, Burton, Long and Thomas are all gone......good luck to them

KU- Replacing Mason and Lucas (Obviously will have a lot of talent as usual but replacing Mason's leadership/ability to take over a game will still be hard to replace even if Graham returns

KSU- Losing Iwundu and Johnson will be the two biggest blows. Not a deep team this year and those two are tough to replace without current depth

OSU- Replacing Forte will be the biggest challenge to date. But IF Evans leaves that will leave an obvious HUGE hole to replace at PG.

TCU- Losing Kenrich Williams is their biggest blow but with most of rest of contributors coming back they could be trending upwards

Texas- Need to replace Cleare down low (and most likely Allen) and Mack won't be back. The rest of the team was extremely young and should develop but if they don't take a step forward they could be looking at another losing season. But they do have a good/great recruiting class on paper coming in.

Texas Tech- Ross is the biggest loss but as someone pointed out in another thread they seem to fail to meet expectations as they rise. On paper it might be the best TT team in a while

West Virginia- WVU takes a hit in the depth department with 5+ Sr's leaving but Huggins seems to reload that department quickly so we'll see.

Overall I think the teams we've been used to seeing the last few years (ISU/WVU) will have different looks and learning on the go in the beginning. If we (OU fans) learned anything from this season, is that it only takes one year (and losing key players) to flip your team and the results upside down. So hopefully with OU having most of (pretty much all of it after Woodard went down) the production returning they will not only take a little step but a huge step forward and get back towards the top half of the league.

Baylor likely loses wainwright and motley (he is a projected first round pick)

KU may lose all 5 starters ..and for sure loses 3

 

[stormspencer]

Yeah that remains to be seen as well. At this point we at least know the following:

Baylor- Losing Wainright but unless others leave early they should be pretty stacked again

ISU- Replacing basically their entire team....Morris, Burton, Long and Thomas are all gone......good luck to them

KU- Replacing Mason and Lucas (Obviously will have a lot of talent as usual but replacing Mason's leadership/ability to take over a game will still be hard to replace even if Graham returns

KSU- Losing Iwundu and Johnson will be the two biggest blows. Not a deep team this year and those two are tough to replace without current depth

OSU- Replacing Forte will be the biggest challenge to date. But IF Evans leaves that will leave an obvious HUGE hole to replace at PG.

TCU- Losing Kenrich Williams is their biggest blow but with most of rest of contributors coming back they could be trending upwards

Texas- Need to replace Cleare down low (and most likely Allen) and Mack won't be back. The rest of the team was extremely young and should develop but if they don't take a step forward they could be looking at another losing season. But they do have a good/great recruiting class on paper coming in.

Texas Tech- Ross is the biggest loss but as someone pointed out in another thread they seem to fail to meet expectations as they rise. On paper it might be the best TT team in a while

West Virginia- WVU takes a hit in the depth department with 5+ Sr's leaving but Huggins seems to reload that department quickly so we'll see.

Overall I think the teams we've been used to seeing the last few years (ISU/WVU) will have different looks and learning on the go in the beginning. If we (OU fans) learned anything from this season, is that it only takes one year (and losing key players) to flip your team and the results upside down. So hopefully with OU having most of (pretty much all of it after Woodard went down) the production returning they will not only take a little step but a huge step forward and get back towards the top half of the league.

Very good synopsis. But I had a couple of questions/comments:

• Kenrich Williams is a junior....I hadn't read anywhere that he was leaving.
• If Texas can get a competent PG, then I think they will be noticeably improved.
• Graham (KU) is on the fence, but if he leaves along with Jackson, Lucas, and Mason, then KU will take a step back....yet will still be extremely talented.
• As someone mentioned above, Motley will most certainly head to the draft.
• I think KSU, ISU, and OSU (if Evans leaves) stand to drop off the furthest from this year.

 

[usedtobe1]

Very good synopsis. But I had a couple of questions/comments:

• Kenrich Williams is a junior....I hadn't read anywhere that he was leaving.
• If Texas can get a competent PG, then I think they will be noticeably improved.
• Graham (KU) is on the fence, but if he leaves along with Jackson, Lucas, and Mason, then KU will take a step back....yet will still be extremely talented.
• As someone mentioned above, Motley will most certainly head to the draft.
• I think KSU, ISU, and OSU (if Evans leaves) stand to drop off the furthest from this year.

Texas has their PG wrapped up. Matt Coleman was the PG for Oak Hill Academy and picked UT over Duke. He was rated the #4 PG in the 2017 class.

 

[TINY]

Nice post Maverick!

Big 12 is a grind no matter what but we should be much better next season.

 

[Maverick008]

Very good synopsis. But I had a couple of questions/comments:

• Kenrich Williams is a junior....I hadn't read anywhere that he was leaving.

Sorry about that one. Bad info on a website had him listed as a sr. Again, tcu could take a step forward with what they have coming back.

 

[stormspencer]

Sorry about that one. Bad info on a website had him listed as a sr. Again, tcu could take a step forward with what they have coming back.

I remember that he missed all of the 2015-6 season because of an injury/surgery. But he looks like a really smooth ballplayer with a good skill set. I just wasn't sure if you had seen something about him leaving that I missed. I would actually prefer that he move on because he will be their co-best player next year alongside the big European guy. I expect TCU to finish in the top half of the conference next season.

 

[Maverick008]

I remember that he missed all of the 2015-6 season because of an injury/surgery. But he looks like a really smooth ballplayer with a good skill set. I just wasn't sure if you had seen something about him leaving that I missed. I would actually prefer that he move on because he will be their co-best player next year alongside the big European guy. I expect TCU to finish in the top half of the conference next season.

Agreed. And in response to some other comments you made:

Texas- As another poster noted, they also signed a top PG recruit beating out Duke so they actually should be set there. It's the big men I think they will be missing the most. IF Allen leaves as expected and Cleare graduating, Texas is currently very thin in the post. As in the past few years it does look like Smart has a couple solid recruits coming in but it could take them a while to get used to the style/pace of the college game.

Baylor- My list at this point was more of what for sure they would be losing. Motley could easily head to the NBA with what he's done over the past two years. But you just never know with these kids. Some of them actually do love their college life and would/will live that life as long as they can. Others want out as soon as they see a crack in the door. If I had to bet, I would say Baylor will need to find his replacement next year but we'll see.

 

[Stikboy]

To what HOPEFULLY OU can/will do from this season to next season. Two years ago, Minnesota went 18-15 and looked to be ready to make a name for itself last season. Then the season happened and they finished 8-23 and everyone wanted Richard Pitino fired. This year they just finished 23-8 are a #5 seed in the tourney and Pitino was named Big 10 coach of the year. OU should have everything needed at this point on the current roster (some changes could happen per reports from others) with the recruiting class coming in to make the same type of leap that Minnesota has (obviously the schedule will determine some of it as well). Hopefully the guys put in the work this summer, come in with a renewed focus next fall and get it done!

With Minnesota's turnaround, did they do it with the same players they went 8-23 with, or did they get an influx of new talent?

 

[Maverick008]

With Minnesota's turnaround, did they do it with the same players they went 8-23 with, or did they get an influx of new talent?

The answer to that is "both". They have a transfer from Illinois St. who sat out last year and is playing this year (Averaging 8.4 pts/6.2 rebs), a transfer from Wisc-Milwaukee (Averaging 9.5 pts/3 rebs) and the main addition recruiting wise was Guard Amir Coffey (Averaging 12.1 pts/3.1 asst/3.9 rebs) who was a 4 star per Rivals.

Those are pretty much the main impact guys that weren't playing last year. So overall, yes they added a few pieces but the rest of the returning guys obviously upped their game as well to make such a huge jump.