My practice report...

[KBaden145]

I'm obviously not Gary but here goes. I was there for about an hour. They practiced on the main LNC floor. A lot of fundamentals yesterday. The offensive work I saw (passing, 3 man and 5 man break, etc) was sloppy at times, which I'm sure if par for the first practice. You could really tell, as reported by others, defense and rebounding fundamentals are getting a big emphasis this preseason.

With McNeace, Lattin, and Thomas on the roster we are far more athletic and have much more length. Thomas is the real deal and, if he is eligible, he will have a major impact on this season. I didn't see much but I've heard Lattin is pretty far along offensively for such a young big. He will play solid minutes for us, I believe. McNeace is extremely long and athletic but very raw. I could see him helping in spots but not on a regular basis. Again it's 1 practice. They're both legit 6-9 and McNeace might be 6-10.
Bennett was Bennett. Long, athletic. He was getting whipped by Thomas in a rebounding drill and was hearing it from Kruger. Doing work on the boards seems to be what will determine his time on the floor if we have Thomas available. He's so thin and has trouble with battling and digging out thicker and stronger bigs. It was definitely a point of emphasis for him. Spangler is a leader and carried himself as such. He, Thomas, and Buddy really standout in practice. Presence, physicality, effort. Really outstanding.

I watched the wings a little closer. Booker had a brace on his left wrist (I believe his shooting wrist) but he didn't seem to be limited. Buddy and Cousins really stood out in this group. The Alade kid (walk on) is a legit 6-4 and athletic. He looks like a scholarship athlete. If Buford gets eligible to practice, I think he'll work in this group. Just a guess. Buddy looks like like a 5th year SR. He just has that presence about him. Really impressive. Cousins looked really good. No limits on his work either.

The guards were on the other end away from me. Woodard doesn't look like a FR anymore. Chiseled and quick. The Walker kid is a good looking athlete. Thicker than Hornbeak and looks like he belongs. I think he'll help us this year.

Again, a lot of my impressions here are based off defensive and rebound work. I didn't see much offensive work, so how these new guys score it or how the returnees have improved are only a guess. I know one thing...these guys enjoy being together and enjoy the work, the process. A lot of talking, encouragement, and enthusiasm.


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[Capel's Mustache]

Excellent report. Much appreciated :woot

 

[skyvue]

Many thanks, KB!

 

[BigTime]

You da man!

 

[campbest]

Much appreciated.

 

[usedtobe1]

Super. Thanks for taking the time to report.

 

[JBaker]

I didn't see much but I've heard Lattin is pretty far along offensively for such a young big. He will play solid minutes for us, I believe.

It's looking like there's a better than 50% chance Lattin is a starter, so I hope he's as far along as you're hearing.

 

[usedtobe1]

It's looking like there's a better than 50% chance Lattin is a starter, so I hope he's as far along as you're hearing.

I'm not ready to agree with that percentage.

(1) The Thomas waiver is still a good possibility. Someone posted that it was unlikely because another U of H transfer was denied. They were referring to PG Jaaron Simmons who transferred to Ohio. Simmons is redshirting this year and has 3 years to play. I don't think he ever applied for a waiver. He wasn't ready to play and really needed the redshirt year IMHO. The other transfer from U of H was Danuel House (A&M) and he hasn't heard anything either. I bet they rule on House and Thomas at the same time. Maybe this week.

(2) DJ Bennett will probably start ahead of Lattin. At least initially. He's a good defender and is probably more ready for the inside physicality than Lattin.

(3) I think Lattin would be the 1st off the bench to spell Spangler and Thomas .... or Bennett. He's probably already a better offensive player than Bennett.

Starting isn't really important because they need at least a 3-man post rotation.... or 4 for the 2 spots. Lattin is likely going to get a lot of minutes whether he starts or not.

 

[MNsooner]

Thank for the report.

 

[j2d2]

Many thanks. Fine report.

 

[AdaSooner]

Well done, KB! I'm so anxious for the season to start, you had me hanging on every word.

I was not surprised by your comments about Alade. He is not the typical walk-on we have grown accustomed to in years past. I actually think he could make a meaningful contribution to the team in the next couple of years.

What was your impression of Walker? He's a player we haven't talked about much. It's almost like he's not even on the roster. But my gut tells me we're all going to wake up to how good he is before the season is over. He put up some impressive numbers on a 32-3 Iowa Western CC team that was the #1 seed in the national juco tourney last year. If he can match or come close to his 40% shooting percentage from behind the arc, he could be more than just a back up at the point. Every team needs a player who can light it up off of the bench.

 

[CoachTalk]

It's looking like there's a better than 50% chance Lattin is a starter, so I hope he's as far along as you're hearing.

Lattin wont start imo... Bennett is ahead of him, you know LK, he has no problem starting 4 guards!

 

[KBaden145]

Well done, KB! I'm so anxious for the season to start, you had me hanging on every word.



I was not surprised by your comments about Alade. He is not the typical walk-on we have grown accustomed to in years past. I actually think he could make a meaningful contribution to the team in the next couple of years.



What was your impression of Walker? He's a player we haven't talked about much. It's almost like he's not even on the roster. But my gut tells me we're all going to wake up to how good he is before the season is over. He put up some impressive numbers on a 32-3 Iowa Western CC team that was the #1 seed in the national juco tourney last year. If he can match or come close to his 40% shooting percentage from behind the arc, he could be more than just a back up at the point. Every team needs a player who can light it up off of the bench.

It's hard to know on Walker. I didn't see much offensive work and the guards were on the other side of the floor from where I sat. I'll pay closer attention to him today. He really is going to have to be a versatile player for us. Basically be what we need him to be each game. Some games just run the squad and guard, other games knock down some jumpers, and others attack the basket and finish or kick to shooters. It'll be on him to find that vibe each time he's in. He's a big key to the season, IMO...


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[JBaker]

Lattin wont start imo... Bennett is ahead of him, you know LK, he has no problem starting 4 guards!

So Buddy could start at the 4 in a 4-guard scenario?
I just think we're in trouble if Bennett is playing 20+ minutes a game.

 

[AdaSooner]

It's hard to know on Walker. I didn't see much offensive work and the guards were on the other side of the floor from where I sat. I'll pay closer attention to him today. He really is going to have to be a versatile player for us. Basically be what we need him to be each game. Some games just run the squad and guard, other games knock down some jumpers, and others attack the basket and finish or kick to shooters. It'll be on him to find that vibe each time he's in. He's a big key to the season, IMO...


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I agree with you. Walker will need to be versatile in what he brings to the team.

He reminds me a little of Calvin Newell. They're both 6' 1" and a solid 197 pounds or so. Like Newell, Walker's skill set is solid in nearly every phase of the game, so being versatile should come easy for him.

What I like the most is his ability to knock down shots from deep. And, it's not like he got that average by taking a limited number of shots. He was 73 of 185, which means his team counted on him score and to take shots when they were available. He's also a good free throw shooter.

 

[jerry]

I agree with you. Walker will need to be versatile in what he brings to the team.

He reminds me a little of Calvin Newell. They're both 6' 1" and a solid 197 pounds or so. Like Newell, Walker's skill set is solid in nearly every phase of the game, so being versatile should come easy for him.

What I like the most is his ability to knock down shots from deep. And, it's not like he got that average by taking a limited number of shots. He was 73 of 185, which means his team counted on him score and to take shots when they were available. He's also a good free throw shooter.

Newell was a head case! Hopefully Walker is not.

 

[AdaSooner]

Newell was a head case! Hopefully Walker is not.

True. I meant physical appearance and skill set.

 

[StatGeek]

I propose a Gary vs KB practice report death match! 2 men enter, 2 men report, both men survive & OUhoops.comers have twice as much fun/info!!

Thanks KB

 

[KBaden145]

If Gary doesn't post a report, I'll have one up for today's practice in the AM. Thanks for the kind words. It's my pleasure.


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[AltSooner33]

Where is Gary by the way? Maybe I've missed him, but I haven't noticed him posting in a little while. With practices starting it seems odd.