Minutes breakdown

[BigTime]

Here were the Big 12 games Minutes Per Game from last year:

Starters
Pledger: 34.2
Grooms: 33.0
Osby: 31.9
Fitzgerald: 30.1
Clark: 28.9

Bench:
Blair: 15.9
Washington: 12.2
Neal: 10.2
Arent: 3.5
Honore: 2.9

*Blair started 3 games for Cameron Clark

How do you see the minutes for next season during conference play after Kruger tightens the bench/has a grasp on who can do what?

I feel like there were times last year where Fitzgerald and Grooms were having to play too much and looked fatigued. I also thought that Pledger had a few games where he was overexerted.

My guess by conference play:

Grooms: 28
Pledger: 30
Osby: 32
M'baye: 32
Clark: 25

Fitzgerald: 25
Cousins: 10
Hield: 15
Bennett: 5
Arent: < 3
Neal: < 3
Hornbeak < 3

I am thinking that M'Baye will get minutes at both the post and guard spots. I am also thinking that Tyler Neal and Casey Arent will go multiple games without seeing the floor/mop up minutes. I kind of tend to think that Hornbeak may be the odd man out of the frosh guards based on what I've read/heard but that is obviously a semi-educated guess.

The hopeful results:

Grooms, Fitz and Pledger will all be less fatigued and we can close out games. Cam and or Fitz could at times be sparks off the bench. And most importantly, Arent and Neal won't be needed in order for the team to win games (I don't think either are good enough to be rotation players at OU).

I have heard that DJ Bennett is an upgrade over Arent, Washington, and Honore....

 

[DenverSooner]

I dont care about minutes as much as production. OU has to get production from Heild, Cousins and Hornbeak. All three don't have to produce but as a group they must produce. It doesn't necessarily have to be in any particular area. I remember when Minor was a freshman. The guy just made a difference. His numbers were not great but he was making plays. That is what those guys need to do.

 

[AdaSooner]

I pretty much agree with your breakdown on minutes. I believe that a deeper, better-quality bench will result in fewer minutes for the starters who averaged 30 or more last year. If the newcomers are as good as most of us think, I doubt if anyone on the team will play more than 30 to 31 mpg, if that.

Kruger has already proven that he's not afraid to go 9 to 10 deep, providing the back up players are at least holding their own. As I see it, M'Baye and the three freshmen guards will be an upgrade to the players who filled the 8 through 10 spots in our rotation last year. If I'm right, the minutes will be distributed more evenly this season, which is exactly what LK wanted to do in his first year, but didn't have the depth to do it.

 

[TheGimper]

It's interesting that most everyone seems to believe that the 3 freshman will give better bench production than Neal. Not that I disagree and I'm aware M'baye stretching to the 3 will take a lot of Tyler's minutes. Just kind of strange since I was pretty excited about his future when he was a freshman.

 

[AdaSooner]

I, for one, have not given up on Tyler. I have always liked the young man, and will continue to do so, even if he is not much of a factor this season.

But, if he fails to be more aggressive and continues to be inconsistent on hitting his outside shots, his minutes will be cut, not increased. The competition for playing time this season will demand it.

 

[BigTime]

It's interesting that most everyone seems to believe that the 3 freshman will give better bench production than Neal. Not that I disagree and I'm aware M'baye stretching to the 3 will take a lot of Tyler's minutes. Just kind of strange since I was pretty excited about his future when he was a freshman.

The big knock that I've heard on Neal is that he has a questionable work ethic/dedication to basketball as compared to many of his teammates.

 

[WTSooner]

My biggest knock on Neal is that he just doesn't have a position. He isn't big/physical/strong enough to play inside. And if you put him on the wing, he isn't really quick enough to defend well. He is pretty much a one trick pony (in my mind), and that is as a shooter. We'll probably see him against some teams that zone us, or if we have a few players go cold. But I just don't see the minutes for him.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

It's interesting that most everyone seems to believe that the 3 freshman will give better bench production than Neal. Not that I disagree and I'm aware M'baye stretching to the 3 will take a lot of Tyler's minutes. Just kind of strange since I was pretty excited about his future when he was a freshman.

I feel the same way. He is still young, is he even 20 yet?

 

[campbest]

Pledger - 9 min/game.

 

[BigTime]

Pledger - 9 min/game.

Is This based on probability or prediction?

 

[StatGeek]

Is This based on probability or prediction?

lol--maybe Gary can provide some insight on this.

 

[garyeb2]

lol--maybe Gary can provide some insight on this.

I probably could. But, if you would just reference WT's description of Tyler. Substitute Pledger for Neal. Then you would have all the insight you need.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I probably could. But, if you would just reference WT's description of Tyler. Substitute Pledger for Neal. Then you would have all the insight you need.

lol ok man

 

[DenverSooner]

I, for one, have not given up on Tyler. I have always liked the young man, and will continue to do so, even if he is not much of a factor this season.

But, if he fails to be more aggressive and continues to be inconsistent on hitting his outside shots, his minutes will be cut, not increased. The competition for playing time this season will demand it.

I could actually make a good case for redshirting. A year of development would be good for him and having him the next two years might be good for the team. His problem is he seems to be a tweener. Not really a 3 and not really a 4.

It is unfortunate for him because he is clearly talented. Can you imagine if you worked with Neal and he was on your work league team? The guy would be a lot of fun. He would rain in 3s and over power everyone in the league.

 

[BigTime]

I could actually make a good case for redshirting. A year of development would be good for him and having him the next two years might be good for the team. His problem is he seems to be a tweener. Not really a 3 and not really a 4.

It is unfortunate for him because he is clearly talented. Can you imagine if you worked with Neal and he was on your work league team? The guy would be a lot of fun. He would rain in 3s and over power everyone in the league.

Redshirting Neal may not be a bad idea. Hadnt thought of that. To me, it would depend how hard he would be willing to work during his off year.