My Take on Washburn Game

[cowboysooner]

Overall, not bad for a first exhibition game.

Like the look of all of the freshmen and think they all show great promise. Liked Strong as well.

JMO, but this might be the most athletic team since the tubbs era. I heard Toby Rowland say this on the radio the other day, and I agree.

we will struggle, at least early, on the boards (both ends) and be streaky on offense.

We struggled for three quarters of the game defensively, but that is normal as lon's scheme is sort of confusing and sometimes early in the year we have kids running around looking at who to guard. particularly in the first half, the washborn players were unguarded when shooting the ball. Less so in the second half. This will play itself out and I think we will ultimately be better than last year defensively.

I still think we probably take small step back from last year, but are a good team that goes to the tournament.

Question for you guys, who would you start -- Doolittle or McNease? I thought Doolittle until last night, now I am wondering about that issue.

 

[oudna]

Agree. Very athletic. Not sure about tournament but has all the pieces to be very improved by March.

 

[Zimwillett]

Question for you guys, who would you start -- Doolittle or McNease? I thought Doolittle until last night, now I am wondering about that issue.

I think Buford may have something to say about that spot if/when he gets back.

 

[sybarite]

These kids are all so young and inexperienced that it will take some time to see who will step up. It is an athletic group. We know what Woodard can do. Lattin is established. I think James has moved into that group.

Then, you have some decisions. McNeace is an athlete, and he is pretty good in garbage time, much of which he creates. He does make mistakes. But, he rebounds well, and he can finish. We just have to pretend that Strong and Woodard were fouled instead of Lattin McNeace.

I was quite pleased with Strong and Freeman. They can shoot. I didn't really get a feel for Sheperd. McGusty can score.

Odomes runs me nuts. He has so much talent, and seems so out of control.

 

[Stikboy]

Doolittle and McNease don't play the same position and have a different skill set.

 

[pnkranger]

Odomes is the guy who drives us crazy right up until the light bulb comes on ... then he will be a superstar.

 

[SoonerSpock]

Odomes is the guy who drives us crazy right up until the light bulb comes on ... then he will be a superstar.

Odomes has a lot of athletic talent but only has the ability to go to his right. Twice last night he drove to the right side of the basket, used his left hand and missed both point blank shots. Never uses his right hand.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Doolittle and McNease don't play the same position and have a different skill set.

correct but lattin can play the 4 .. and mcnease start at the 5 ..

 

[Stikboy]

I can buy that. Who would McNease's backup be? CJ?

 

[BoulderSooner]

my knee jerk reaction after 1 game ..

c. James is our best player and will lead the team in scoring
Woodard pressed a little early but was solid all around
odomes has a long way to go on O and with his shot and I will not be surprised if his time as a starter is short
Doolittle is impressive but he needs to box out (and not just jump after a rebound)
Lattin is so much better on O and will be a great shot blocker again

bench
strong-Moore looks the part of a combo guard that will play a bunch this year and is our back up point
Mcgusty is going to push odomes for a starting spot sooner rather than later has a great shooting stroke and got better as the game went along
Shepherd needs to get stronger and didn't look like he belonged last night

Mcneace looked much improved and will play a bunch (and is our best athlete)
Freeman is the best shooter on our team needs to get stronger and focus on rebounding

Buford TBD

 

[cowboysooner]

I guess I see things about like boulder.

I asked the question about Doolittle vs. McNease, and didn't throw Buford in the equation because he isn't playing. When he gets back, we can see where he fits in. Could be at the 4 as a starter, but who knows.

McNease isn't a finished product by any means. But, he looks improved and he doesn't look lost. My thought is if you start him ahead of Doolittle, he would move to the 5 and we would play lattin at the 4.

If I have to guess, we end up starting Doolittle at the 4. It looks like Lon is going to give everyone plenty of minutes during the noncom before making a decision on the matter. I would like to see a solid lineup before conference.

On Odomes. I see him as having almost unlimited potential. However, he is driving me nuts with his complete inability to hit a layup or dunk. I will never understand how a kid with his size, length and jump can have so little touch around the goal. To this point, he simply can't hit a crib shot around the goal to save his life. I'm not expert, but it looks to me like he is releasing the ball from his hand with side spin when he is around the rim in traffic. Never gets a drop, and they all roll out. In golf, a person can fall into this in putting.

Whatever, if he can overcome this issue, I think he will be special.

In any event, I predict NCAA tourney again.

 

[MisterF]

Something is not right with Woodard's leg. I noticed in the one practice I went to and I also noticed it last night at the LNC.

 

[usedtobe1]

I pick Doolittle over McNeace. He's going to be a star in a year, so let him acclimate to D1 ball during non-conference games. Honestly, the decision for me would be Dolittle or Freeman.

Lattin tends to get in foul trouble, so McNeace will get a lot of minutes at the 5. I hear Doolittle is outplaying Buford in practices but both will get a lot of minutes.

Odomes vs McGusty will get interesting. Odomes is a better defensively but McGusty is better offensively. Those 2 plus James will get most of the wing minutes. We just need to be patient and not make the call based on 1 exhibition game on who should start. By the way, Odomes goes to his left .... Not the right. The guy is explosive and a big-body athletic freak. Give him some time. On the other hand, McGusty may be the best offensive player on the team by conference time.

I like Strong as the backup PG. He's good but I hope his shoulder doesn't bother him much. Shepherd was impressive, but I see him as the 3rd PG. I like his potential.

 

[Zimwillett]

I liked what I saw from Doolittle, but I think he's got a long way to go to be the starter at the 4 in the Big 12.

 

[MisterF]

What I thought missing the most besides experience ..... inside muscle like Spangler.

 

[Chaser728]

What I thought missing the most besides experience ..... inside muscle like Spangler.

If Doolittle can have half the motor of Spangs then we should have no problem... he's got all the tools physically.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Appears to me that Woodard is a better #2 than #1. If Strong-Moore can perform at the #1 Woodard could probably score a lot from the #2.

I agree that Odomes will be hard pressed to hold his starter spot. McGusty will really challenge him when he gets more comfortable with the speed of the Div I game.

Freeman and Doolittle look like they will contribute if they continue to develop. Potentially good addition to the muscle inside. Their role at conference time will depend on how well they progress.

Liked what I saw from McNease. He was getting some critical minutes at the end last year so I am not suprised at how well he is playing. He looks a lot more confident this year so far.

James really coming on and Lattin showed some offensive potential.

This team should run the court well and with their depth should create problems. It is probably not a coincidence that they came on strong in the second half against both Oregon and Washburn.

 

[SuperHoops]

Is there some inside joke that I'm not aware of as to why 90% of posters spell McNeace's name wrong?

 

[Northbase]

Sooner Roster This Year

Jamuni McNeace
Rashard McOdomes
Jordan McWoodard
Dante McBuford
Kristian McDoolittle
Matt McFreeman
Kameron McGusty
Khadeem McLattin
Jordan McShepherd
C.J. McCole
Christian McJames
Darrion McStrong

 

[AdaSooner]

Is there some inside joke that I'm not aware of as to why 90% of posters spell McNeace's name wrong?

No, some posters here simply do not know how to spell the kid's name, or they really don't care if they continue to spell it wrong in year two of his career at OU. I'm glad you addressed this topic because it's something that has bothered me for a long time.

For the record, Jamuni's name is spelled McNeace.