Matt Freeman now on campus

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usedtobe1

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I guess Matt Freeman arrived Wednesday and can start practicing next week. This article says Monday but OU is in Ames playing ISU on Monday. Classes begin on Tuesday and that will probably be his first day of practice, too. He says he will be trying to learn all he can from Ryan Spangler over the next few months.

Matt Freeman in Norman
 
Thanks, usedtobe1!

I think OU got a steal when Matt Freeman decided to be a Sooner. He has unique skills for a young man his size in that he can post up smaller players or knock down shots at an impressive rate from three point range. If some of Ryan's determination and toughness rubs off on Matt, he's going to be special down the road a ways.

I realize I'm the only one who said he might start his freshmen season, a bold and perhaps a bit over-the-top prediction no one else seems to agree with. No big deal if I'm wrong. But, of one thing I'm reasonably certain, he will get quality minutes off of the bench his first year at OU. I don't see how a 6' 9" kid who can knock down shots from the perimeter the way he does, stays on the bench too long. Yes, he needs to add some muscle to his frame. He's also got from now to the start of the season in November to work out with the team and to get bigger and stronger in OU's conditioning program.
 
AdaSooner said:
Thanks, usedtobe1!

I think OU got a steal when Matt Freeman decided to be a Sooner. He has unique skills for a young man his size in that he can post up smaller players or knock down shots at an impressive rate from three point range. If some of Ryan's determination and toughness rubs off on Matt, he's going to be special down the road a ways.

I realize I'm the only one who said he might start his freshmen season, a bold and perhaps a bit over-the-top prediction no one else seems to agree with. No big deal if I'm wrong. But, of one thing I'm reasonably certain, he will get quality minutes off of the bench his first year at OU. I don't see how a 6' 9" kid who can knock down shots from the perimeter the way he does, stays on the bench too long. Yes, he needs to add some muscle to his frame. He's also got from now to the start of the season in November to work out with the team and to get bigger and stronger in OU's conditioning program.
Click to expand...

I don't know that he will start .. but I bet he plays a bunch next season .
 
AdaSooner said:
I think OU got a steal when Matt Freeman decided to be a Sooner. He has unique skills for a young man his size in that he can post up smaller players or knock down shots at an impressive rate from three point range. If some of Ryan's determination and toughness rubs off on Matt, he's going to be special down the road a ways.

I realize I'm the only one who said he might start his freshmen season, a bold and perhaps a bit over-the-top prediction no one else seems to agree with. No big deal if I'm wrong. But, of one thing I'm reasonably certain, he will get quality minutes off of the bench his first year at OU. I don't see how a 6' 9" kid who can knock down shots from the perimeter the way he does, stays on the bench too long. Yes, he needs to add some muscle to his frame. He's also got from now to the start of the season in November to work out with the team and to get bigger and stronger in OU's conditioning program.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with you, Ada. Matt has the size to play the high post role that Spangler plays today. He's already a better shooter and overall offensive threat but Spangler is so smart and does little things that don't show up on a stat sheet (e.g. sets screens, hedges, helps bring the ball up court, etc.). Plus Ryan is so tough on the boards knowing how to block out and get position.

How well Matt learns those little things over the next few months may determine how much he plays next season. I practically drool thinking about Freeman getting some of those wide open perimeter looks that Ryan gets every game. It should be fun watching him develop.
 
Freeman's rebounding and defense will determine his playing time.

It never hurts to have guys that can shoot the ball.
 
I think with this next group of recruits (and with Spangler moving on) you will finally see coaches plan for OU ..

a stretch 4 on the court most of the time ... Buford freeman and Doolittle .. are made for this role ..
 
sdcloud9 said:
Freeman's rebounding and defense will determine his playing time.
Click to expand...

I consider Ryan a great rebounder (especially for his size) but only an average defender. His toughness is off the chart.

I agree those factors will determine Matt's playing time, but his shooting is icing on the cake. If he can emulate half of Ryan's attributes, then OU is in good shape.
 
usedtobe1 said:
I guess Matt Freeman arrived Wednesday and can start practicing next week. This article says Monday but OU is in Ames playing ISU on Monday. Classes begin on Tuesday and that will probably be his first day of practice, too. He says he will be trying to learn all he can from Ryan Spangler over the next few months.

Matt Freeman in Norman
Click to expand...

Could he travel to Ames Monday or would he have to wait until classes start
 
Freeman at practice today:

CYtfpusVAAEFlGi.jpg
 
AdaSooner said:
Thanks, usedtobe1!

I think OU got a steal when Matt Freeman decided to be a Sooner. He has unique skills for a young man his size in that he can post up smaller players or knock down shots at an impressive rate from three point range. If some of Ryan's determination and toughness rubs off on Matt, he's going to be special down the road a ways.
Click to expand...

But can he play as slow and yet still out of control as Mitchell Freaking Solomon, the Bixby Bomber. I really think we are going to regret getting a baller like Freeman rather than the one that got away.
 
Freeman's rebounding and defense will determine his playing time.

It never hurts to have guys that can shoot the ball.

I agree on the rebounding/defense. Spangler can potentially teach him a lot on both.
 
Stikboy said:
Wonder what OU measured him at?
Click to expand...

Some web sites I have been on have Freeman listed at 6' 10". Rivals.com's Eric Bossi says he's 6' 9". IMO, Bossi is one of the most knowledgeable recruiting experts out there. When he speaks, the majority of people who are familiar with his work tend to listen.

I have posted this before but will do it again for those who might have missed it.


https://basketballrecruiting.n.rivals.com/news/sooners-land-foreign-power-forward

THE RIVALS150: 2016 | 2017


Back in June, Rivals.com had the opportunity to watch Matthew Freeman a class of 2016 power forward prospect from New Zealand, and tabbed him a four-star prospect.
At the time, the 6-foot-9 face-up four man from the Westlake Boys Club was starting to make some noise with high major college coaches in the United States.
Last weekend, Rivals got another look at Freeman at the Adidas Nations event in Long Beach, Calif. where he averaged 17.8 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. Now he's ended his recruitment by making a commitment to Lon Kruger and the Oklahoma Sooners.

One of the better shooting big men in the class of 2016, Freeman has a pure shooting stroke and range that easily stretches to and beyond the college three-point line. He has a solid 215=pound frame, runs the floor very well and is a good overall athlete who has room to carry more muscle without losing any flexibility or athleticism.

Like any foreign player there is going to be an adjustment period for Freeman when he arrives in the States but he's had some International experience playing for New Zealand that should help him out when the time comes to play college ball.


Because he doesn't regularly play against competition in the States, he won't factor into the 2016 Rivals150. However, it would be fair to look at him as a top 50 type of recruit for the Sooners so he should be able to help out early in his career.

Freeman is the second four-star prospect to join Oklahoma's recruiting class after shooting guard Kameron McGusty committed just a few weeks ago. The Sooners third early commit is Rivals150 swingman Kristian Doolittle.
Click to expand...
 
That picture reminds me a little of Renzi Stone. A Renzi clone with a good outside shot would be nice.
 
At the game yesterday vs. West Virginia, Matt certainly "passed the eye test." He looks like a basketball player and acts like a really good teammate on the bench.
 
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