Manyang

[BigTime]

I am curious what most of the board thinks about AK and what to expect out of him next year.

This past year was obviously disappointing for him and for those of use who thought he would bring more to the table. It is always hard starting the year injured and then dealing with trying to get into game shape when the season has already started.

He seemed slow to me and lost on defense. He seemed to have poor court awareness on the offensive end as well at times.

The good news is that he showed he could block shots and flashes of offensive game with some post moves and an ability to finish strong. His FT stroke also looks above average for a big. He also showed an ability to body up defenders and looks every part of 6-11/7 feet with some muscle on him.

IF he can stay healthy and go through a full offseason routine, start fall practice and be active in the game plan, then I expect him to challenge for the 5 spot this year and be a big piece of what we do on both ends. I do believe that he is a guy that you can get offense in the halfcourt from via giving him the ball.

The size and talent are there.

Thoughts.

 

[Sooner04]

Let this disclaimer show that I have absolutely nothing against Manyang and I wish him well in all avenues of life moving forward.

As for next year: I will be very disappointed if he plays meaningful minutes. I feel those minutes would pay much better dividends distributed elsewhere.

 

[BoulderSooner]

i also think his best min of the year ( on D ) were in the first NCAA game

 

[jackson_supersooner]

He has the SKILLS to be a 12, 7, and 3 guy. But I dunno if the dedication, focus(not entirely his fault), and drive are there to be anything more than a 5, 3, and 1 guy. This summer is the biggest summer of his life.

 

[thebigabd]

He has the SKILLS to be a 12, 7, and 3 guy. But I dunno if the dedication, focus(not entirely his fault), and drive are there to be anything more than a 5, 3, and 1 guy. This summer is the biggest summer of his life.

You mean biggest summer of his basketball life? Obviously there are about a million things in the world and in life more important than basketball.

 

[hoopsaustin]

You mean biggest summer of his basketball life? Obviously there are about a million things in the world and in life more important than basketball.

Since it's obvious, why did you feel the need to "correct" him on it? :facepalm

 

[CMSOONER]

Is he back with the team? If he's not I'm not optimistic that he will be here next year.

 

[campbest]

Let this disclaimer show that I have absolutely nothing against Manyang and I wish him well in all avenues of life moving forward.

As for next year: I will be very disappointed if he plays meaningful minutes. I feel those minutes would pay much better dividends distributed elsewhere.

Agree.

OU isn't going to win anymore games if they play Manyang 25-30 as opposed to 10-15min.

 

[BigTime]

Is he back with the team? If he's not I'm not optimistic that he will be here next year.

Yes he's back.

 

[tmeyer3307]

If Lattin would somehow start at the 4.. I could see him or Mcnease start and rotate at the 5. Then he could get 15-20 mins a game.. If Lattin is the 5 I just don't see him getting more than 5-10 minutes a game.

 

[CMSOONER]

Yes he's back.

Well then I think he will have more confidence going into next season and could be a solid contributor splitting time with McNeace in the post. I think the game was a little fast for him this year and that it will slow down for him next year. I think he'll have a better stat line than Lattin had this year. 8-10pt/8Reb/2Blk.

 

[j2d2]

Does he have one year or two to play?

 

[WTSooner]

I assume LK wants to play a similar style (up and down) as we played this past season. If that is the case, I really don't see how Manyang fits. I've seen slower players, I suppose, but he isn't exactly quick up and down the court. He'd do better in a Big 10 style system, I would think. He has some potential/talent, you can see that. I'm just not sure he is a good fit for what we do.

 

[Larry72]

Does he have one year or two to play?

He has one year and I hope it is a productive one for him and the team.

 

[vbdad]

He has come back which is a bit of a surprise. He could easily contribute next year but I still doubt he will be here next season.

 

[Leroy]

If he plays much, we will be hurting at the post.

 

[scrybe]

I assume LK wants to play a similar style (up and down) as we played this past season. If that is the case, I really don't see how Manyang fits. I've seen slower players, I suppose, but he isn't exactly quick up and down the court. He'd do better in a Big 10 style system, I would think. He has some potential/talent, you can see that. I'm just not sure he is a good fit for what we do.

LOL. From what I saw of Manyang, I believe the exact opposite is true.

 

[AdaSooner]

I assume LK wants to play a similar style (up and down) as we played this past season. If that is the case, I really don't see how Manyang fits. I've seen slower players, I suppose, but he isn't exactly quick up and down the court. He'd do better in a Big 10 style system, I would think. He has some potential/talent, you can see that. I'm just not sure he is a good fit for what we do.

Manyang's ability to run the floor is one of his greatest strengths. His problem is not foot speed, it's knowing instinctively where he needs to be and what he needs to do when he gets to the other end.

He has the ability to really help us...if the light comes on this summer.

 

[Sooner04]

He has the ability to really help us..

I just don't see it. He strikes me as being miles away.

 

[Larry72]

I just don't see it. He strikes me as being miles away.

He has the physical ability and skills to really help us. In the middle of the season, he was getting the first minutes off of the bench. I think that he tried to hard to do something special. In most of these games he did nothing positive. He seemed rushed and lacked confidence.
Maybe he can have a great offseason and get confident.