We lost 15 games by double figures last year, and that can really tear the soul out of a program.
I agree with your goals, but a bunch can change in the course of just one year. From the top:
Coach: CLK > JFC. To me this is the biggest disparity overall, we now arguably have one of the Top 10 coaching staffs in the country. Big words I know, but CLK has done well at every stop and so far I'm completely amazed at how different some of the same players look from last season to this season. I also love what we are doing as far as scheme, and just a couple of months in, our kids look very fluid in running it. Oh, and recruiting: In barely six months on the job: Grooms, Arent, M'Baye, Heild, Hornbeak and Henry. That is pretty sick recruiting when you take a step back and think about it.
PG: Grooms, Blair > Blair, Newell. Grooms looked amazing last night in what was the first "real" game where CLK wasn't throwing out random line-ups to see different looks. Those WSU guards weren't scrubs either, IMHO. Blair is an excellent back-up pg in the B12, and this allows Newell to play in his natural position. To me the best part is the options that CLK has to work with and I still think that there will be times when we could see Grooms, Blair and Newell out there together with Osby, Fitz or Cam out there just pick and popping.
Wings: Pledger, Cam, Newell > Davis, Pledger. Really I'm not sure what Davis played last season other than "go to" guy. Not a knock on Cade becuase I thought he did an admirable job, but I just like this group better. Cam was sort of stuck playing a HF position, last night he looked really natural defending the perimeter. Solid, versatile group that matches up with just about anybody else in the conference as far as wing play after what I have seen. Between those three guys, I think that it is likely that at least one of them can have a hot hand on any given night, if two of them are going, OU is going to be very tough to defend.
HF: Osby, Neal, Washington > Captain, Cam, Neal, Washington. I can see where Osby was the best player on the squad last season, not sure that he was the best player that OU played against last season though. Good motor and after Idaho State, has stayed within his game. Neal is a solid back-up and Washington looks better in his role [although he did get out-hustled for a RB last night...not good]. Whomever is guarding Osby or Neal has to respect the perimeter shot, that opens up lanes and gives the PG's and Wings room to work the pick and roll.
Post: Fitz, Arent, Honore > Fitz, Honore. Probably the only real "weakness" as far as personnel goes on the team at this point IMHO, but I see potential in the rotation. Fitz rebounded a little better, Arent seems to be getting more comfortable [which should continue] and Honore has actually been relatively productive in the minutes that he's played. Again, this position is our primary weakness, but what we are doing defensively at this point is protecting that weakness.
Bottom Line: OU is improved in every aspect as a program right now, this time last season we were getting clowned by Chamindae, this year we are a win away from playing the finals of the first tournament we are in. Not a spectacular field, but there are some real teams in there. My expectation is NIT, I think that .500 or better in the conference is actually a realistic "team" goal at this point. That being said, I'm the classic "sunshine pumper" and I get excited about anything OU. Just saw a bunch of positives in the first "real" game that we've played.
