Muni or Khadeem

[BigTime]

Looks like the best race for a starting spot right now is at the 5 this year as Trae, Kam, Odomes, and Manek (with Kristian suspended) have all created a little separation for the moment.

Thoughts on Muni vs Khadeem starting?

 

[Swans]

Whatever Lon decides!

 

[MsProudSooner]

It's nice to have options.

 

[skyvue]

I would say only that it feels a bit as if we already know what Khadeem brings to the table. I'm not ruling out the possibility that he could still have a jump in productivity left in him, but it seems that Muni has the potentially higher ceiling.

 

[BCSooners]

I think Lattin gets the nod the majority of the season. I'm actually hoping that we see them on the floor together a little bit this season.

 

[coolm]

I give Muni the nod because his game has progressively advanced more than Khadeems'. IMO either will make significant contributions no matter.

 

[WaymanFan]

Tough call here. I think Muni will be the better offensive player, but we can't forget the impact Khadeem has on defense, and in particular blocked shots. Unless one truly separates from the other, they may both average about 20 minutes per game. I can see a lot of late-game "offense for defense" type substitutions after whistles and during timeouts.

 

[Boomer!Sooner!]

I could see Khadeem getting the nod at first since he is a senior, but I would really like to see him come off the bench. We should have tremendous spacing with our starting 5, which I like Muni better with. Oops will be abundant with Jamuni. He will be very Javale mcgee like.

Lattin has worked on his offensive game and we need that on the second unit (although I think James is going to take a huge leap forward). We need to have some fresh legs and go to offensive players and Lattin is better at that than Jamuni. Yes, Muni has decent footwork and showed some great games last year with some hook shots, but that isn't what you can rely on necessarily with a second unit. However, Lattin has great range, good looking jump shot and above average moves around the basket and should be the leader on the second unit.

I would be afraid that he (Lattin) would disappear with the first unit. We will be wanting the other four to do the scoring, which they have all shown that they can do.

 

[AdaSooner]

I could quote every post on this thread so far and be comfortable with my response to BigTime's question. Everyone who thinks Muni will get the nod are correct in what he brings to the court. The same is true of those who believe Khadeem will start.

I'll repeat what Boomer!Sooner! said about Lattin. It's never easy to bench a senior who has started every game since his freshman season. For that reason, if no other, my money is on Lattin. Doesn't mean he'll stay there, but I think he wii be in the mid-court circle when the season tips off.

IMO, it would be a mistake to forget about Polla. I'm not saying he'll start, but you can't count him out when you put a pencil to the minutes available at the five spot. I think he will play this season. The only question is, how much?

I'll add one more thing. I'm not sure who starts and who comes off of the bench means all that much. I will be a lot more interested in the lineup on the floor in the final minutes. I wouldn't want to be in Coach Kruger's shoes when he tries to divvy up the minutes on one of the deepest OU teams in my memory

 

[usedtobe1]

I could quote every post on this thread so far and be comfortable with my response to BigTime's question. Everyone who thinks Muni will get the nod are correct in what he brings to the court. The same is true of those who believe Khadeem will start.

I'll repeat what Boomer!Sooner! said about Lattin. It's never easy to bench a senior who has started every game since his freshman season. For that reason, if no other, my money is on Lattin. Doesn't mean he'll stay there, but I think he wii be in the mid-court circle when the season tips off.

IMO, it would be a mistake to forget about Polla. I'm not saying he'll start, but you can't count him out when you put a pencil to the minutes available at the five spot. I think he will play this season. The only question is, how much?

I'll add one more thing. I'm not sure who starts and who comes off of the bench means all that much. I will be a lot more interested in the lineup on the floor in the final minutes. I wouldn't want to be in Coach Kruger's shoes when he tries to divvy up the minutes on one of the deepest OU teams in my memory

I agree with you Ada. I don't know how Kruger will allocate the 200 minutes of playing time among the players, but I'm sure it will change from game to game depending on what we need. Interesting conjecture about Polla. You know that I know one of OU's basketball staffers. He told me Polla is playing good. It seems like Manek will likely start at the 4 to begin the season with Freeman backing him up until Doolittle returns.

I think it could be an interesting scenario when we need to be bigger or more physical inside to play Polla at the 5 and let Lattin or Muni play the 4 with their athleticism and quickness. Kind of a thunder and lightning combination. Manek could even slide to the 3 in that scenario. It's great to have some options and I bet we see some experimenting with that combination in early season matchups.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

lattin for leadership.

But muni will play a bunch and be just as good if not better!

 

[Darwin]

I could see Lattin at the 4 before Muni but if he's not getting any time there in practice now, it seems very unlikely with Doolittle's return.

 

[jaymOU]

Muni played 15 minutes a game last year and Lattin played 23. Do you think this is reversed this year? Seems like a 20-20 split would be about right. Fact of the matter is, if either one of them can figure out how to stay out of foul trouble OU would be better!

 

[BCSooners]

Muni played 15 minutes a game last year and Lattin played 23. Do you think this is reversed this year? Seems like a 20-20 split would be about right. Fact of the matter is, if either one of them can figure out how to stay out of foul trouble OU would be better!

I think it will be about even when Doolittle gets back. I can see Khadeem playing the 4 some while he's suspended unless Freeman shows improvement.

 

[vbdad]

Muni has the higher ceiling for sure. It is going to be a great battle for the spot. Muni can do things athletically that few can at his size.

Manek is wearing down some. Hope he gets his second wind quickly.

 

[jake_swivel]

Manek is wearing down some. Hope he gets his second wind quickly.

What makes you say that?

 

[WaymanFan]

Manek is wearing down some. Hope he gets his second wind quickly.

Scary thought. The first two years Spangler was playing, we could also see that...but in February, not October. Please keep us posted.

 

[usedtobe1]

Manek is wearing down some. Hope he gets his second wind quickly.

I've learned when vbdad says something about a player, you can take it to the bank. It's not unusual for a freshman to "hit the wall" but I hoped it would be later in the season like WaymanFan said. It's a big step from 3A HS to Power 5 D1 basketball. More games, more physical, longer season, etc.......

He needs to carry the 4 until Doolittle comes back. That's at least 8 games including the PK tournament with 3 games in 3 days against the likes of Arkansas and North Carolina. It will be a "learning experience". Especially for Trae and Manek.

 

[OU92Grad]

Just talked to a good friend who was at last two practices Wed & today. Said Mcgusty & Manek lit it up both days. He recalls Manek hitting 5 threes on Wednesday and at least 6 today. Maybe he caught his second wind?

 

[CoachTalk]

Ive spoken to Manek Hs coach and manek himself even said in a recent interview. Physicality is the biggest concern. Doolittle will start after Christmas imo