My Take on the Team

[cowboysooner]

On the bright side, I really like the look of all of the new kids. Harman alone will make us better than last year.

Kuath, merritt and Victor will, when combined with Doo and Manek, make us at least a little better inside than last year.

We will be deeper and shoot the ball better and more consistently from the wing than last year.

Negatively, I am worried that we will not be quick enough laterally to defend against dribble penetration, and also won't have a rim protector in the starting lineup. So, we might be worse defensively than last year.

Rebounding looks to be about the same as last year, unless the starting lineup changes, but then we may suffer in other areas.

All in all, it is hard to see how we won't be better than last year, and if the new kids improve through the year, I think our ceiling is much higher. How good or much better, just can't know at the moment.

 

[SuperHoops]

I think everyone was hoping that JB would really step up this year coming off his fine year as a freshman but that didn't really manifest itself in the exhibition. Hopefully he is just trying to find his role with all the new players coming in.

 

[WichitaSooner]

On the bright side, I really like the look of all of the new kids. Harman alone will make us better than last year.

Kuath, merritt and Victor will, when combined with Doo and Manek, make us at least a little better inside than last year.

We will be deeper and shoot the ball better and more consistently from the wing than last year.

Negatively, I am worried that we will not be quick enough laterally to defend against dribble penetration, and also won't have a rim protector in the starting lineup. So, we might be worse defensively than last year.

Rebounding looks to be about the same as last year, unless the starting lineup changes, but then we may suffer in other areas.

All in all, it is hard to see how we won't be better than last year, and if the new kids improve through the year, I think our ceiling is much higher. How good or much better, just can't know at the moment.

I'm surprised you mention lateral quickness as a reason you think we might be worse defensively. Last year's team had as little speed and athleticism as you'll find from guards at this level. Hill, Williams, Reaves, Harmon ... all far better in that area than James, Reynolds, and Calixte. Whether we have a rim protector will depend a lot on Kur. We basically played without one last year since Muni wasn't a factor. If Kur plays like he apparently has in practice, he'll help us there. If not, one of the new bigs would need to step up to help us there.

 

[BCSooners]

I'm surprised you mention lateral quickness as a reason you think we might be worse defensively. Last year's team had as little speed and athleticism as you'll find from guards at this level. Hill, Williams, Reaves, Harmon ... all far better in that area than James, Reynolds, and Calixte. Whether we have a rim protector will depend a lot on Kur. We basically played without one last year since Muni wasn't a factor. If Kur plays like he apparently has in practice, he'll help us there. If not, one of the new bigs would need to step up to help us there.

I think they will be eventually better, but all 3 of those were solid defenders & Odomes was a really good defender. I'd be surprised if OU is better defensively than last year, but I don't think they'll be bad defensively.

 

[CoachTalk]

I think everyone was hoping that JB would really step up this year coming off his fine year as a freshman but that didn't really manifest itself in the exhibition. Hopefully he is just trying to find his role with all the new players coming in.

Lon is quoted as saying something like... hes been the best most consistent player since the end of last year.

He will be fine. That's the least of my worries.

 

[WichitaSooner]

I think they will be eventually better, but all 3 of those were solid defenders & Odomes was a really good defender. I'd be surprised if OU is better defensively than last year, but I don't think they'll be bad defensively.

Reynolds and Calixte and RO were all good defenders, I certainly agree. I'd say James was average. But other than RO, they weren't quick or athletic, so if we aren't as good this year, that won't be the reason, which is what the OP suggested. I think any struggles on that end will be due to inexperience, not lack of quickness or athletic ability.

 

[cowboysooner]

I believe Kur is a "rim protector". Just don't know if he is going to play much. When you play him, you have to take one of our wings out and they will be the strength of this team.

I didn't say I thought we would have less lateral quickness than last year. I didn't think we had much last year. If you play Williams, JB and Harmon, then we have more lateral quicks than last year. But, I don't see Reeves or Hill being able to stay in front of a quick guard or wing with handles.

BtW, I not saying we will be horrible, just that this will be a team weakness perhaps.

Like I said, I like the look of pretty much all of our players. Returners seem improved and the new guys all look they are or will be good players. Looking forward to the season.

 

[skyvue]

I finally got to watch the game on SoonerSports.tv and JB played better the other night than some have suggested, in my opinion. He made some very good defensive plays and set up other guys with some nice passes. He didn't shoot well, but he didn't shoot very much, either. He's always been a player who contributes in a variety of ways and sometimes (like the other night, I think), he flies under the radar.

I would also say Reaves played better than some gave him credit for. He played less than a full half, minutes wise, and was high energy throughout. He scored 9 points and had 8 rebounds and was engaged and active throughout. His injury (cramps, I think someone said) aside, it was a perfectly fine debut, I think.

 

[BCSooners]

Reynolds and Calixte and RO were all good defenders, I certainly agree. I'd say James was average. But other than RO, they weren't quick or athletic, so if we aren't as good this year, that won't be the reason, which is what the OP suggested. I think any struggles on that end will be due to inexperience, not lack of quickness or athletic ability.

Agreed

 

[SoonerinNC]

Will be clearer after a few games but some thoughts now.

1. Harmon is very critical. we know he can get to the rim but so does everyone else by now. Will they neutralize that and will Harmon stay within himself to make the right decisions. Will help if he shows a broader game on offense.

2. We have had minimal depth the last few years. newbies obviously very critical here. Hill, Williams, Kuath and maybe Iwakor very critical. Need to be able to go 8 or even 9 deep by conference time without the drop off we have seen in recent years when we start subbing.

3. Can we really go big. We should have a good small group of Manek, Doolittle, Reeves, Bieniemy and Harmon. If we insert Kuath, will we be able to keep Manek and Doolittle in the game and will they be sufficiently effective on defense.

4. Will we get consistent play from Manek, Doo, Reeves and JB. If so we have a lot to build on.

5. If I have a problem with Kruger's style it is that he lets the players play which can be a good thing, but it can also lead to poor shot selection and long scoring runs by the opposition. Shot selection will be key. I think we have the scorers if they let the game come to them, work for good shots and get them off with good rythm.

6. If we develop effective depth we will maintain good defense. How many games last year when we opened with a strong defense only to see it fade when the reserves came in and players tired because of too many minutes.

 

[Stikboy]

FYI looks like the UTSA game will be on right after on tape delay, I think I saw something like 10pm on Fox Sports OK.